When it Comes to Figuring out College and Career, the Digital Generation Still Prefers Mom and Dad

We can all remember that time in high school when the future felt blurry and like an ever-moving target. And what was true for previous generations is now even more true for Gen Z, given the incredible amount of technological, cultural, social, and economic upheaval they’ve experienced since 2020. Further, in a world where the internet plays such a substantial role, the vast sea of information can often make decisions tougher. ‘Who do I ask for help?’ is now a question with a million answers. 

To better understand how today’s students feel about their post high school life, we surveyed Connections Academy students. Perhaps most interestingly, Gen Z, the generation with the greatest exposure to the greatest wealth of technology the world has ever seen, is still completely reliant on their parents for guidance about the future. And for all the current popularity of AI, it plays virtually no role in how students are making decisions. 

For instance, when it comes to making choices about college, 85% of the students we asked said that they rely primarily on mom and dad. The next closest answer percentage-wise was ‘other family members’ at 46%. Only 25% said that they would turn to social media. 

Of course, the internet still plays a role: 42% of students said they use online sources and other forms of online education for help making college choices. But familial relationships had the clear priority, and digital or more remote sources were only a secondary source.

The data also shows that, for a generation often accused of constantly being on their phones, relationships with people are essential to making decisions and understanding the world. Despite the easy and constant access to a massive barrage of digital information and influencers, students would still rather talk to a real person who is present in their life. This is further emphasized by the fact that 56% of our students wished that their parents could help them more.

In contrast, only 14% felt the same way about social media. 

Which brings us to the next critical question. What do students wish their parents could help them with?

So, what should we take away from all of this? 

• First, when it comes to big decisions about life, parents and students need to be working together. At Futures, we want to make that happen, starting with the all-important question, “What should I do?”
• Second, students are in desperate need of more clarity. That won’t come with a one-size-fits-all approach. We’re committed to offering the widest possible array of resources to help parents coach their kids in the right direction.
• Third, connections, skills, and experiences are key. A big part of these students’ futures will depend on finding and cultivating those relationships and skills that open doors to new opportunities.
• Fourth, money matters. Across the board, students and parents need help with money—from how to pay for college to how to afford life. A big part of that comes down to finding scholarships and understanding earnings for future careers.
• Fifth, students want to grow and mature. The past five years have been a real rodeo, and in many ways Gen Z is starting at a disadvantage. When they look for advice, resources, help, and mentorship, the last thing they need is to be talked down to. 

Life, college, and career choices loom large for this audience. The decisions they make in the years right after high school will have an outsized impact on the things they care about. Our goal is to help students as much as possible with these decisions, and the value of our input will come down to how clearly we can point them in the right direction—towards real skills, real opportunities, and real pathways towards success. 

Ultimately, the next generation needs reliable answers to their questions and the encouragement that, no matter where they’d like to go, there’s a route to get there. It may be unexpected or unconventional, but the truth is that there are far more opportunities to find a fulfilling career now than there have ever been. At Futures, we’re here to provide the map.