Who are high school students turning to for guidance?
We can all remember that time in high school when the future felt blurry and like an ever-moving target. And what was true for previous generations is now even more true for Gen Z, given the incredible amount of technological, cultural, social, and economic upheaval they’ve experienced since 2020. Further, in a world where the internet plays such a substantial role, the vast sea of information can often make decisions tougher. ‘Who do I ask for help?’ is now a question with a million answers.
To better understand how today’s students feel about their post high school life, we surveyed Connections Academy students. Perhaps most interestingly, Gen Z, the generation with the greatest exposure to the greatest wealth of technology the world has ever seen, is still completely reliant on their parents for guidance about the future. And for all the current popularity of AI, it plays virtually no role in how students are making decisions.
For instance, when it comes to making choices about college, 85% of the students we asked said that they rely primarily on mom and dad. The next closest answer percentage-wise was ‘other family members’ at 46%. Only 25% said that they would turn to social media.
Of course, the internet still plays a role: 42% of students said they use online sources and other forms of online education for help making college choices. But familial relationships had the clear priority, and digital or more remote sources were only a secondary source.
“CA HS students rely on their parents and family the most when it comes to their futures. Pearson has a unique opportunity to prepare these families with the information students want and need.
James Hammer, Futures Class of 2026
The data also shows that, for a generation often accused of constantly being on their phones, relationships with people are essential to making decisions and understanding the world. Despite the easy and constant access to a massive barrage of digital information and influencers, students would still rather talk to a real person who is present in their life. This is further emphasized by the fact that 56% of our students wished that their parents could help them more.
“Not only do CA students rely on parents and teachers, but they wish these groups could help them more when it comes to their future. With targeted messaging to CA parents and teachers, we can support the needs of students.
James Hammer, Futures class of 2026
In contrast, only 14% felt the same way about social media.
Which brings us to the next critical question. What do students wish their parents could help them with?
Figuring out what to do is the biggest challenge.
When we asked parents and students what their biggest challenges are when it came to reaching post high-school goals their top responses were:
46% said identifying what they want to do
42% said paying for college
35% said finding specific skills
26% said connecting with people who can help them
Note, here they could select multiple options. This graph shows where their votes tended to cluster.
Takeaways
So, what should we take away from all of this?
First, when it comes to big decisions about life, parents and students need to be working together. At Futures, we want to make that happen, starting with the all-important question, “What should I do?”
Second, students are in desperate need of more clarity. That won’t come with a one-size-fits-all approach. We’re committed to offering the widest possible array of resources to help parents coach their kids in the right direction.
Third, connections, skills, and experiences are key. A big part of these students’ futures will depend on finding and cultivating those relationships and skills that open doors to new opportunities.
Fourth, money matters. Across the board, students and parents need help with money—from how to pay for college to how to afford life. A big part of that comes down to finding scholarships and understanding earnings for future careers.
Fifth, students want to grow and mature. The past five years have been a real rodeo, and in many ways Gen Z is starting at a disadvantage. When they look for advice, resources, help, and mentorship, the last thing they need is to be talked down to.
Life, college, and career choices loom large for this audience. The decisions they make in the years right after high school will have an outsized impact on the things they care about. Our goal is to help students as much as possible with these decisions, and the value of our input will come down to how clearly we can point them in the right direction—towards real skills, real opportunities, and real pathways towards success.
Ultimately, the next generation needs reliable answers to their questions and the encouragement that, no matter where they’d like to go, there’s a route to get there. It may be unexpected or unconventional, but the truth is that there are far more opportunities to find a fulfilling career now than there have ever been. At Futures, we’re here to provide the map.
Certiport is a global leader in entry level training and certification courses geared towards in-demand tech skills that businesses are looking for. Since 1997 Certiport has developed both a wide array of curriculum as well as industry-recognized certifications and now administers millions of exams each year in countries around the world.
Their courses include training in software like the Microsoft Office suite, Adobe, and Apple’s Swift programming language. With Certiport, high school students gain sought-after skills in project management, accounting, IT, business, and more that will help them connect to whatever opportunities they’d like to pursue.
In addition to training, Certiport hosts global competitions that offer a unique, gamified approach to career learning. In these competitions students can win scholarships and prizes, and gain incredible proficiency in Microsoft and Adobe.
Pearson has partnered with Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) in order to prepare students to become leaders in whatever career path they choose. Through this partnership, students as early as middle school will gain the experience, mindset, and skills they need in order to thrive as community-minded business leaders in a global society.
About FBLA
Developed in 1937, FBLA believes in more than simple career success. FBLA believes that every person should prepare for a meaningful career and to go about that work in a manner that helps to lift up their own families, the people around them, and society as a whole.Developed in 1937, FBLA believes in more than simple career success. FBLA believes that every person should prepare for a meaningful career and to go about that work in a manner that helps to lift up their own families, the people around them, and society as a whole.
How this partnership helps you
It’s not too early to start thinking about how to be a leader in whatever field (or fields) you choose to pursue. Want to become the kind of person that your coworkers or employees are inspired to imitate?
The Pearson-FBLA partnership will help you learn what you need to know. Through FBLA’s programs, you will:
Develop competent business leadership
Understand American business enterprise
Develop projects that improve home, business, and community
Develop your character
Learn efficient money-management
Transition smoothly from school to work with FBLA’s help
