What comes after school? A global study reveals why 39% of teens are unsure about their career paths

A growing number of teenagers across the globe are heading toward the end of secondary school without a clear sense of direction. According to The State of Global Teenage Career Preparation (2025), a comprehensive study released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 39 percent of 15-year-olds are unclear about their career expectations.Drawing on data from the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which surveyed nearly 700,000 students in 81 countries, the report presents a sobering view of how unprepared many teenagers are for life beyond the classroom. Career uncertainty is not just a temporary phase: it is closely linked with poor outcomes in adulthood, including reduced employment opportunities, lower earnings, and higher risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).

A snapshot of teenage career readiness

While the level of preparation varies widely across countries, the OECD report makes it clear that on average, too many students are poorly equipped for their next steps.By age 15:

These findings point to a widespread disconnect between education systems and labour market realities. The report warns that without early, structured guidance, many students risk making decisions based on incomplete or misleading information.

Why teens are not clear about their careers

One of the key reasons for rising career uncertainty among teenagers is their limited exposure to the world of work. According to the OECD report, most students have not participated in the kinds of real-world activities that help build career clarity and direction.By the age of 15:

Such activities, whether it's a job fair, an internship, a career talk, or mentorship, can help students explore a range of professions, understand what different jobs actually involve, and begin to form realistic career goals.

These experiences are especially valuable for helping students connect their academic learning to practical outcomes.However, the report shows that access to these opportunities is far from universal. Participation is particularly low among students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who often lack the networks, guidance, or institutional support needed to engage with employers or industry professionals.

As a result, many teenagers are left to make important life decisions without the insight or experience that could help them make informed choices.

Ambition shaped more by background than ability

The OECD study also highlights the role of social inequality in shaping students’ career paths. Across the participating countries, a student’s socio-economic background is a stronger predictor of educational ambition than academic performance. High-achieving students from low-income families are significantly less likely to expect to complete tertiary education than lower-performing peers from more affluent homes.This creates what the report describes as a "misalignment" between career goals and the educational plans needed to achieve them. It also means that many bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds are underestimating their potential simply because they lack guidance and role models.

Too much information, not enough guidance

Despite having access to vast amounts of online career information, students are not necessarily making more informed decisions.

In fact, the report suggests that information overload without context can leave students more confused. Many end up choosing familiar, high-status careers like medicine, law, or engineering, regardless of actual labour market trends or their own qualifications.Over 50 percent of students, according to the OECD, concentrate their career aspirations in just ten professions, even in countries where those fields are already saturated.

Meanwhile, growing sectors such as vocational trades, digital technology, healthcare support, and logistics remain largely overlooked.

What needs to change

The findings of the OECD report offer a clear call to action. Schools, policymakers, and employers all have a role to play in helping students prepare for their futures in a more informed and equitable way. Key recommendations include:

A wake-up call for education systems

Teenagers today are more ambitious than ever, but without the right tools, those ambitions can remain out of reach. The OECD’s State of Global Teenage Career Preparation report highlights that while educational systems are expanding, they are not necessarily equipping students with the insight and exposure they need to plan their futures effectively.

As countries around the world grapple with economic uncertainty, rising youth unemployment, and shifting job markets, helping teenagers make informed career decisions is more than just a policy issue—it is a social and economic imperative.