Limited guidance leaves OH students unsure post-graduation

By Farah Siddiqi

A new survey showed many Gen Z teens in Ohio and across the country are unclear about their options after high school, beyond attending a four-year college or entering the workforce.

Education researchers said limited family discussions and a shortage of school counselors leave students feeling unprepared for what comes next.

Jeff Bulanda, vice president of the American Student Assistance Center for Career Navigation at the nonprofit Jobs for the Future, said talking through options with family is important.

"Young people actually really trust and rely on their parents' guidance," Bulanda explained. "Ninety percent of young people said they rely on their parents’ guidance when it comes to education and careers."

The Gallup Panel findings revealed more than half of families said they know “a great deal” about college or getting a paid job but far fewer feel informed about options like apprenticeships or certification programs. In Ohio, the student-to-counselor ratio is 408-1, far above the national recommendation of 250-1.

Bulanda stressed starting career conversations earlier can help students feel more confident about the future and better equipped to ask the right questions when entering the workforce.

"Does this employer offer tuition assistance or some form of education benefit?" Bulanda asked. "Where they may start in a front-line job but have the ability to earn money, as well as have their employer pay for their education."

Fewer than three in 10 high schoolers nationwide say they feel “very prepared” to pursue postsecondary paths. Bulanda encouraged families to explore local and state programs offering short-term training for in-demand careers and to normalize the conversations before a student's senior year.

Reporting by Ohio News Connection in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded in part by the George Gund Foundation.