Are teenagers prepared for their careers?

Category: Articles

The world’s biggest ever global survey raises serious concerns

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Tag: Community

The world of work is changing — but students’ career expectations haven't caught up yet.

That’s the message from the OECD’s new 2025 State of Global Teenage Career Preparation report — the most comprehensive global study of teenage career aspirations ever conducted, drawing on data from more than 690,000 15 year old students across 80 countries, including Australia.

The findings are sobering. While educational aspirations are higher than ever, the report reveals that too many teenagers, particularly in Australia, are unclear, unprepared, and uninformed about their future career options and the pathways required to achieve them.

Key findings include:

  • Teen career aspirations haven’t evolved in over 20 years. 66% of Australian students expect to work in high-status jobs like doctors, lawyers, or teachers, creating a growing mismatch between what teens think they want and the jobs the labour market actually needs.
  • 36% of Australian students are “career uncertain”, meaning they are unable to clearly identify a job they expect to work in by age 30. This mirrors a rising trend across OECD nations (39%) and is associated with poorer employment outcomes later in life
  • Only 34% of students had completed an internship or work placement, and just 45% had participated in a workplace visit or job shadowing, despite strong evidence that these activities lead to better long-term job outcomes
  • Career confusion and anxiety are on the rise, especially among students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • A student’s socioeconomic background often influences their ambitions more than their academic performance.
  • Interest in emerging or strategically important fields — especially where students are underrepresented by gender — has barely shifted in a generation.

    • But There’s Good News

    The report also shines a light on what works — and where there’s opportunity to make a difference.

    Career development activities linked to real people and real opportunities lead to better employment outcomes.
    When students meet people in real jobs, their career decisions improve — they’re more informed, more confident, and more likely to end up in roles that align with both their interests and job market needs.

    The right exposure at the right time can spark curiosity and confidence.
    Even short engagements — like a one-hour career talk or interactive session — can help students imagine futures they’d never otherwise consider.

    You can help bridge the gap.
    Employers, educators, and families all have a role to play in connecting students with real people, real stories, and real opportunities.

    Research cited in the report indicates that students who participate in career development activities are more likely to complete further education, secure employment in line with their interests, and feel satisfied in their jobs by their mid-20s.

    As Australia works to build a resilient, quantum-ready workforce, career development systems will play an important role in preparing students for emerging fields like quantum science and technology.

    Quantum technologies are poised to transform fields like secure communications, finance, healthcare, and defence — with the CSIRO forecasting 19,400 jobs and $6 billion in economic value by 2045. Yet most students have never heard of quantum, let alone considered it a career path. That’s a missed opportunity — and one we can fix. We’re bringing the world of quantum to students and their families — and opening doors to careers they might never have imagined.

    Join Us at Our Quantum Future Talent: Open Day & Careers Fair in Sydney on 15th July 2025

    At our upcoming Open Day, students can:

  • Get an introduction to quantum, how top companies are using it and why they need your skills
  • Explore study pathways into quantum with actionable career planning advice
  • Discover NSW world-class universities, their research facilities, and learn about student life and communities.
  • Parents and career advisors: Get guidance on supporting students’ education and career decisions in this rapidly growing field.

    • Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply curious about what’s next, this event is for you.

    Registration is essential, tickets are limited. More info: Quantum Future Talent: Open Day & Careers Fair Tickets, Sydney | Eventbrite