A new report from Jobs for the Future, Gallup, and the Walton Family Foundation, has found that fewer than 30% of high school students feel “very prepared” for what to do after graduation, whether it be work, a traditional four-year college degree, or other options. In a survey of Gen Z high schoolers and their parents, both groups were most aware of two traditional post-graduation pathways: pursuing a four-year college degree and joining the workforce. About a third of high schoolers and more than half of parents said they knew “a great deal” about bachelor’s degree options and paying jobs. However, both said they didn’t know as much about other pathways, such as certification programs, internships, apprenticeships, military options or entrepreneurship. Parents were the most trusted source for post-graduation guidance, followed by teachers, other family members, and school counselors. Additionally, fewer than half of fewer graduates said their school prepared them for any option other than college or a job. “In order to build a stronger economy, we have to help young people understand not just what jobs are out there, but what pathways are available to them to pursue and succeed in those jobs,” said Jobs for the Future chief executive Maria Flynn. “Young people need support exploring their career interests and education pathways at a much earlier age so they graduate high school with a tangible understanding of the kind of training and skills they’ll need for the jobs of tomorrow.”
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