Teenage Career Uncertainty: A Growing Concern and What We Can Do to Help
Career uncertainty among teenagers is a pressing issue, and it’s one that career counsellors, head teachers, and educators need to understand deeply. We’ve all seen the confusion in the faces of students when asked what they want to do in the future. While it’s normal for teenagers to feel a bit lost sometimes, what’s worrying is that this uncertainty is growing rapidly. According to the latest PISA 2022 report from the OECD, 40% of 15-year-olds across OECD countries have no clear career plans. That’s a significant increase from 2018, where 20% of students were in this position.
Click to download OECD report.
This trend raises serious concerns because research has shown that teenagers who have clearer career plans tend to fare better in the job market than their uncertain peers. But it’s not just about getting a job; there’s also a direct link between career uncertainty and poor mental health outcomes, such as increased anxiety and lower well-being. For young people, this feeling of uncertainty can be overwhelming, and for some, it leads to a sense of hopelessness about the future.
In this article, we’ll delve into the causes of teenage career uncertainty, why it matters, and explore practical strategies that career counsellors, head teachers, and educators can employ to reduce it.
The Impact of Career Uncertainty on Students
The OECD’s report sheds light on just how widespread career uncertainty is. In Australia, a survey of 2,800 students aged 15 to 18 revealed that one-third didn’t know what careers suited them, and many felt they had no clear direction. This uncertainty also feeds into concerns about whether their education will lead to a ‘real’ career. A significant number of students worried that they wouldn’t be employable once they finished their studies.
This career-related anxiety affects students across the board, but it’s particularly prevalent among students with lower academic performance. Interestingly, it’s often the boys from disadvantaged backgrounds who are most uncertain about their futures. They are the ones who are most likely to report that they don’t feel prepared for life after school or well-informed about their options. These students are also less likely to have had meaningful career conversations, which is a huge missed opportunity for schools.
What’s more, the report reveals that 47% of students worry they aren’t prepared for life after school, and 49% feel school has done little to prepare them for adult life. These are shocking statistics, but they also present a call to action for educators. As career counsellors and head teachers, we are in a prime position to make a difference.
Why It Matters
So, why should we be concerned about teenage career uncertainty? For starters, career uncertainty has been linked to poorer employment outcomes. Students who have a clear sense of direction tend to transition more smoothly from education to the workplace. They’re more likely to secure jobs that match their skills and interests, and they tend to earn higher wages. In contrast, students who are unsure about their future paths often struggle to find work, and when they do, it’s frequently in jobs that don’t match their aspirations or abilities.
Career uncertainty isn’t just about jobs, though. It’s also tied to students’ overall well-being. Studies show that young people who are uncertain about their future careers are more likely to experience anxiety, stress, and even depression. They feel lost, unsure of where they’re headed, and this takes a toll on their mental health. For many students, the pressure to succeed, combined with a lack of clarity about what success looks like, can lead to significant emotional distress.
In addition to the personal impacts on students, career uncertainty has broader societal implications. When young people are uncertain about their futures, they are less likely to engage with their education and more likely to disengage from school altogether. This disengagement can have a ripple effect, leading to lower academic achievement and, ultimately, fewer opportunities for success later in life. In a world where the job market is constantly evolving, and new industries are emerging, it’s more important than ever for students to feel confident about their futures.
What’s Driving This Uncertainty?
There are several key factors contributing to the rise in career uncertainty among students. Let’s take a closer look at the main ones:
- Lack of Occupational Expectations: One of the most alarming findings in the OECD report is that two-fifths of students across OECD countries can’t name an occupational expectation. This is a sharp rise from 2015, and it suggests that many young people simply don’t have a clear idea of what careers are available to them.
- Academic Performance: There’s a strong link between career uncertainty and low academic performance. Students who struggle in school are more likely to be uncertain about their futures. This is particularly true for boys from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Economic Concerns: Students who are worried about their financial futures are more likely to feel uncertain about their career paths. Economic hardship can cloud their decision-making and leave them feeling unsure about what steps to take next.
- Anxiety and Well-Being: Career uncertainty is closely tied to lower levels of subjective well-being. Many students are anxious about the future, and this anxiety makes it harder for them to make informed decisions about their careers.
- Changes in Educational Aspirations: There’s been an increase in the number of students planning to pursue tertiary education, which can sometimes lead to a deferral in career decision-making. This trend, combined with the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, has left many students feeling unsure about their futures.
What Can Be Done?
As career counsellors and head teachers, you play a crucial role in helping students navigate their career uncertainties. The good news is that there are practical steps we can take to reduce career uncertainty and help students feel more confident about their futures.
- Personalised Career Guidance: One of the most effective ways to reduce career uncertainty is by providing personalised career advice. Every student is different, and their career guidance should reflect that. By connecting career advice to students’ strengths, interests, and values, we can help them see a clearer path forward.
- Encouraging Career Conversations: The OECD report highlights the importance of career conversations. Students who have spoken to someone about their career aspirations are less likely to be uncertain about their futures. Schools should encourage more opportunities for these conversations, whether through formal career counselling sessions or informal discussions with teachers and mentors.
- Boosting Self-Awareness: Identity plays a crucial role in career decision-making. Helping students understand who they are beyond their academic achievements can empower them to make more informed choices about their future careers. Encouraging self-reflection and exploring personal strengths and values can give students a sense of direction and purpose.
- Empowering Students: When students feel empowered to take control of their lives, they are more likely to engage with their education and make positive decisions about their futures. Schools can foster this sense of empowerment by teaching students how to set goals, make decisions, and take actions that align with their personal values and aspirations.
- Parental Involvement: Many parents aren’t aware of the range of career options available to their children. Schools should involve parents in the career guidance process and provide them with resources to support their children’s career exploration.
How MyCareerMatch Helps
One powerful tool that can significantly reduce career uncertainty is MyCareerMatch, a program designed specifically for high school students to help them identify their strengths and align them with potential careers. This not only boosts their self-awareness but also gives them a clear understanding of which careers they’re best suited for.
The program helps students navigate the often overwhelming number of career options by providing them with tailored career reports. These reports are designed to be both motivational and practical, offering students actionable insights into how their unique strengths can lead them to success in the job market.
For career counsellors and educators, MyCareerMatch serves as an invaluable resource, making it easier to guide students through the career decision-making process. With personalised reports and clear pathways mapped out, students are not only more confident in their choices but also more engaged in their education, knowing that their efforts today will directly contribute to their future success.
Hope you found this article inspirational.
Nathan Chanesman | CEO MyCareerMatch | nathan@mycareermatch.com.au
