The article highlights how the rapid AI and digital transformation is reshaping the job market, with traditional roles declining and new, higher-skilled jobs emerging. Despite these changes, schools are not adequately preparing students—especially disadvantaged youth—for the future, as career aspirations remain outdated and essential skills like digital literacy, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence are undervalued. A comprehensive, system-wide approach involving real-time labour market data and integrated education strategies is needed to equip young people for the evolving workforce.
LinkedIn's analysis reveals that the fastest-growing industries for Gen Z graduates in the UK are education, utilities, oil, gas, mining, construction, and government, with education being the top choice due to work-life balance and holidays. While teaching offers a starting salary of £28,000-£40,000, finance roles can start at around £45,000. Despite salary differences, experts advise focusing on learning opportunities over pay in initial jobs, as long-term success depends on experience and skills.
A recent New York Federal Reserve study reveals that engineering degrees occupy nine of the top 16 college majors with the highest incomes five years after graduation, with computer engineering majors ranking first with an annual median salary of $80,000. On the other hand, liberal arts, performing arts, and theology majors earn the lowest salaries within five years of graduating from college, with a median annual income of $38,000. The study highlights the disparity in earnings between different majors and the factors contributing to it, such as demand, skills, and job market dynamics.
A record-breaking 12.91 million high school students in China took the two-day "gaokao" college entrance exam, which is the only way to get into the country's top universities. However, the spike in candidates has raised concerns among students already facing an uncertain economy and dwindling opportunities, with some arguing the high competition will gradually decrease the value of a college degree. China's youth are the most educated in decades, but they also face a growing mismatch between their expectations and opportunities, with urban unemployment surging after three years of pandemic restrictions hit small businesses hard.
