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Social Media

The void of relevant and reliable support has been filled by social media for many young adults.

In Their Own Words:

"I watch videos on ‘day-in-the-life of whatever’ to try to see what people actually get up to in their jobs. We've been doing the career test since like seventh grade… it doesn't feel like it's grounded in anything."
- Female Young Adult, 19

From the Research:

65% of young adults are still exploring their passions and what drives them. 72% are actively using social media to explore that.‍
Social media is among the top resources guiding future planning, just as influential as family and friends, while far outpacing school-based resources like guidance counselors and career centers.
70% engage with career content on social platforms: 40% by actively searching, and 30% by seeing it organically while scrolling.‍
85% of those who seek career guidance on social media report feeling inspired after seeing others progressing towards their goals.‍
YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram are daily tools for at least 3 in 5 young adults seeking career guidance on social media. YouTube is the most trusted platform for delivering educational and career resources.

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AI

As young adults begin to turn to AI for learning, educators and navigators caution it may undermine career readiness.

In Their Own Words:

"I like tech, but I think sometimes that we abuse it. AI is another whole thing with kids and how they should use it ... one of the biggest skills that kids need for the future is the ability to tell a story … it's about critical thinking. Thinking critically … and writing well."
‍- AVID Specialist (Navigator)

From the Research:

41% of young adults in school use AI for schoolwork, and 30% of young adults rely on it to learn new skills.
But 71% of navigators believe young adults are becoming too dependent on AI, putting their development at risk.
60% of navigators say AI is hindering skill-building for the future workforce.
Top concerns include reduced critical thinking (57%), loss of soft skills like teamwork and communication (54%), decreased human connection (50%), and exposure to misinformation (49%).‍
Despite this, 68% still believe AI will expand career opportunities for young adults, highlighting a clear tension as navigators grapple with the potential harms and benefits of AI.

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Mental Health

In a world where traditional markers of success feel uncertain, young adults are prioritizing mental health as a prerequisite to progress.

In Their Own Words:

"I'm focusing on my mental health, and I feel scared to tell my parents as of now that I'm still not ready to start my career. Because they could say: ‘Well, it's time, you know, you need to find a job.' I want them to just understand it a little more and put themselves in my shoes and recognize that this is tough or not easy."
- Female Young Adult, 22

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From the Research:

37% of young adults rank mental health as one of the most important factors to their success, ahead of career, finances, and education.
29% say mental health is a top priority for external support, outranking financial planning, money management, and even job training or skills development.
75% are still feeling the aftershocks of the pandemic, with nearly a third (31%) of young adults citing its direct impact on their mental health. Meanwhile, only 22% of parents recognize the pandemic's impact on this generation's mental wellbeing.
Mental health is seen by navigators as the second biggest barrier to young adults achieving their personal goals, just behind the lack of a strong support system. And 60% of navigators agree there aren’t enough mental health resources to meet the need.

Young Women

Young women 18-24 entering the job market are struggling with lagging confidence, mental health challenges, and a lack of direction.

In Their Own Words:

"I feel like I’ve had the pressure of 'you need to be someone now'. And I feel like right now, it’s okay to realize that I’m 21 and this is the most crucial time of my life … Sometimes I stray away from talking to people about my future because I'm worried it’s going to be an ongoing discussion."
- Female Young Adult, 21

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From the Research:

Half of young women (18-24) feel unprepared for the jobs of the future, compared to 40% of young men. And 61% of young women are unsure there are enough job opportunities compared to 52% of young men.‍
42% of young women don’t trust employers to review their applications, compared to 33% of young men, highlighting a major confidence gap in hiring systems.‍
51% of young women report facing mental health challenges, compared to 36% of young men, a 15-point gender gap that highlights the disproportionate mental strain young women carry.‍
66% believe the American Dream is out of reach or doesn’t exist, 11 points higher than men. ‍
Just 29% say they know what drives them, compared to 42% of young men. Only 31% of college-educated women know what they are passionate about.

4-Year Degree

While most agree that skills and experience are just as important—if not more—than a degree, inertia continues to keep the college degree in demand.

In Their Own Words:

"Even if I do get my master's, there's so many people who get their degrees, and then don't even end up using that degree at all. And I just really hope that's not my case, because I feel like I've kind of put myself through this for no reason."
- Female Young Adult, 20

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From the Research:

Just 51% of both young adults and parents believe a college degree is worth the investment, citing high tuition and no guarantee of a job as reasons it is not.
65% or more across all groups agree that a degree alone isn’t enough to secure good employment, and that skills and experience matter more.
Employers echo this shift: 58% say skills are more important than degrees, and 76% are open to adjusting education or experience requirements in entry-level hiring.
Career navigators express support for non-college pathways, but in practice 70% still advise young people to pursue a college degree.
The 4-year degree also remains the #1 post-secondary path that parents advise, even as many express doubts about its value and claim to support alternative options.

Additional Findings: A Closer Look

Social Media

The void of relevant and reliable support has been filled by social media for many young adults.

In Their Own Words:

From the Research:

Expert Commentary

Expert Commentary

AI

As young adults begin to turn to AI for learning, educators and navigators caution it may undermine career readiness.

In Their Own Words:

From the Research:

Expert Commentary

Expert Commentary

Mental Health

In a world where traditional markers of success feel uncertain, young adults are prioritizing mental health as a prerequisite to progress.

In Their Own Words:

From the Research:

Expert Commentary

Expert Commentary

Young Women

Young women 18-24 entering the job market are struggling with lagging confidence, mental health challenges, and a lack of direction.

In Their Own Words:

From the Research:

Expert Commentary

Expert Commentary

4-Year Degree

While most agree that skills and experience are just as important—if not more—than a degree, inertia continues to keep the college degree in demand.

In Their Own Words:

From the Research:

Expert Commentary

Further Commentary, Updates, & Earned Media

New KeY Issues / Guest Collaborator Spotlight

Youth Leadership Development

Leadership skills are vital for youth success.

BY:

David Brown

October 5, 2023

Youth Leadership Development

BY:

David Brown

October 5, 2023

Youth Mental Health Awareness

BY:

David Brown

October 2, 2023

Youth Empowerment

BY:

Jessica Taylor

October 1, 2023

Understanding Young Adults in a New Way

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