A global OECD study reveals that 39% of 15-year-olds are unsure about their career paths, linking poor guidance to long-term employment challenges.
As high school students approach graduation, a rising number are uncertain about what lies ahead. A new international study titled The State of Global Teenage Career Preparation (2025), published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), highlights that 39% of 15-year-olds worldwide are unsure about their future careers. The report, based on insights from the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), analyzed responses from nearly 700,000 students across 81 countries, painting a concerning picture of how unprepared many teenagers feel when it comes to career planning.
This lack of clarity isn’t just a passing phase. The OECD warns that career uncertainty at such a crucial stage can have long-term consequences — including reduced job prospects, lower income, and a higher chance of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) in adulthood.
Career Readiness: A Mixed Global Picture
The report reveals some striking statistics that reflect just how widespread the issue is:
- 39% of students are uncertain about what career they want to pursue.
- 21% expect to work in fields that typically require a university degree, yet they have no plans to pursue higher education.
- 33% feel that school hasn’t equipped them with skills useful for real-world jobs.
These figures suggest a deep disconnect between what students are learning in school and what they need to succeed in the workforce. The report emphasizes that without early and structured career guidance, many students end up making decisions based on limited or inaccurate information.
Why Are Teens Struggling With Career Decisions?
One of the major reasons behind this growing confusion is limited exposure to real-world work experiences. While academic knowledge remains essential, students often lack the opportunities to see how their education translates into job roles.
By age 15:
- Only 35% of students had ever attended a job fair.
- Just 45% had visited a workplace or participated in job shadowing.
Such activities — whether it’s a career talk, internship, or mentorship — can provide invaluable insight. They help teens understand the day-to-day realities of various professions, align their interests with potential careers, and begin to see the connection between their studies and the world of work.
However, access to these experiences isn’t equal. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are significantly less likely to benefit from these opportunities. Many lack the personal networks, school support, or exposure needed to explore different career options. As a result, they are often forced to make life-shaping decisions without the necessary information or context.
When Background, Not Talent, Shapes Ambition
The report also shines a light on the role of social and economic inequality in shaping students’ career aspirations. In many countries, students from lower-income families — even those with strong academic performance — are less likely to aspire to higher education than their wealthier peers. This disparity creates a mismatch between students’ ambitions and the educational pathways they need to follow to achieve them.
Talented students may lower their aspirations simply because they lack role models, guidance, or exposure to options beyond what they know. As a result, career dreams are often determined more by background than by ability.
Too Much Information, Too Little Support
Although students today have access to a wealth of information online, the report finds that many are overwhelmed rather than informed. Without personalized guidance, teens often gravitate toward a small set of high-profile careers — medicine, law, engineering — regardless of market demand or their own strengths.
In fact, over 50% of students aim for just 10 popular professions, even in countries where these fields are already saturated. Meanwhile, fast-growing industries like vocational trades, digital tech, healthcare support, and logistics receive little attention.
A Way Forward: What Needs to Change
The OECD calls on schools, governments, and employers to take coordinated action. Key recommendations include:
- Introducing career guidance early, ideally in middle school
- Offering real-world exposure through internships, workplace visits, and career fairs
- Equipping teachers and counselors with tools to guide students effectively
- Building strong school-employer partnerships
- Making career information more accessible and personalized
A Global Wake-Up Call
Teenagers today are full of ambition, but without the right support, their goals may remain out of reach. The OECD report is a wake-up call for education systems around the world. Expanding access to career guidance, work exposure, and mentorship is no longer optional — it is essential for helping young people transition confidently into adulthood and the workforce.
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