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The gap between school and the real world can feel vast to a teenager. While they spend hours studying mathematics, physics and history, it is often hard for them to see how these subjects translate into a career. This uncertainty is growing.
According to an analysis of PISA 2022 data, nearly 40% of 15-year-olds have no clear career plans, a sharp increase from the 25% recorded in 2018. When teenagers cannot see the purpose behind their studies, their motivation drops. One of the simplest ways to fix this is through a conversation.
Why do career conversations matter?
A 2021 study of longitudinal data by the OECD found that 15-year-olds who talk about their career plans with family, friends or teachers go on to have better employment outcomes by age 25. These students see lower unemployment and often earn higher wages.
Speaking to a working adult helps a teenager replace vague ideas with concrete facts. It moves them away from stereotypical ideas of what a doctor or a programmer does, and grounds their expectations in reality. If your teenager feels overwhelmed by the future, giving them facts often reduces anxiety more than simply asking about their grades. You can read more about this balance in our guide to high expectations vs pressure.
Who should my teenager talk to?
Not every conversation needs to be with a professional career counsellor. The OECD research highlights that subject teachers, relatives and family friends are highly influential. When a teenager hears how a software engineer actually uses mathematics or how a marine biologist relies on chemistry, the school curriculum suddenly has a purpose.
This is where you can use your own network. Make a list of three or four adults you know—an uncle in logistics, a neighbour in healthcare, or a family friend in design. The goal is not to find your teenager a job, but to give them a realistic view of different days at work. Exploring a variety of fields is crucial; read more about talking about STEM careers beyond engineering and medicine.
How to arrange career talks for my teenager?
Keep it low-pressure. A formal "informational interview" sounds intimidating to a 16-year-old. Instead, set up a 15-minute chat over a video call or a cup of tea.
Here is a simple script you can use to ask a relative or friend:
> "Hi [Name], [Teenager's Name] is starting to think about what to do after school and is quite interested in your field. Would you have 15 minutes this weekend to chat with them about what your day-to-day work actually looks like? No preparation needed!"
Before the talk, help your teenager prepare two or three questions. Good questions focus on the reality of the work rather than the job title:
What does a typical Tuesday look like for you?
What is the most surprising part of your job?
What subjects from school do you actually use?
What questions should we ask about careers?
Instead of asking "What do you want to be?", the OECD suggests focusing on "workplace attractors". Ask your teenager whether they prefer working indoors or outdoors, or if they like working with people or data.
If your teenager is struggling with the academic side of their career plan, Fermi's AI tutor can help them build a clear path forward. Whether they need to understand the biology required for medicine or the physics needed for engineering, Fermi works out what they already know and builds a plan for the session, so they sit down to a clear next step.
Start small. A 15-minute conversation this weekend could be the spark that gives your teenager's studies a clear direction.
