Gen Z Careers Report 2026
In collaboration with Amberjack, this report uses data from 1,251 young people aged 13–21 across the UK.
Find out when young people start planning their careers, how they feel about the careers advice they're given, the biggest factors influencing their decision-making and much more!
86%
think about their future career by age 16
75%
find careers advice valuable
70%
say thinking about their career causes them stress
Only 18%
feel "very confident" in their career path
86%
think about their future career by age 16
75%
find careers advice valuable
70%
say thinking about their career causes them stress
Only 18%
feel "very confident" in their career path
86%
think about their future career by age 16
75%
find careers advice valuable
70%
say thinking about their career causes them stress
86%
think about their future career by age 16
1 in 10
have nobody to speak to about careers
70%
say thinking about their career causes them stress
Only 18%
feel "very confident" in their career path
86%
think about their future career by age 16
75%
find careers advice valuable
70%
say thinking about their career causes them stress
Only 18%
feel "very confident" in their career path
86%
think about their future career by age 16
75%
find careers advice valuable
70%
say thinking about their career causes them stress
Only 18%
feel "very confident" in their career path
1 in 10
have nobody to speak to about careers
86%
use Google for career research
67%
say the cost of living crisis is influencing career decisions
48%
say salary is the most important factor in decision-making
50%
use AI for career-related activity
60%
rank university as their first choice
45%
spend less than 1 hour per week researching careers
30%
Use AI in the recruitment process
1 in 10
have nobody to speak to about careers
86%
use Google for career research
67%
say the cost of living crisis is influencing career decisions
48%
say salary is the most important factor in decision-making
50%
use AI for career-related activity
60%
rank university as their first choice
45%
spend less than 1 hour per week researching careers
30%
Use AI in the recruitment process
1 in 10
have nobody to speak to about careers
86%
use Google for career research
67%
say the cost of living crisis is influencing career decisions
48%
say salary is the most important factor in decision-making
50%
use AI for career-related activity
60%
rank university as their first choice
45%
spend less than 1 hour per week researching careers
30%
Use AI in the recruitment process
What influences young people's career decisions?
Young people are making decisions about their careers earlier than ever, so we wanted to find out the exact factors that are driving these decisions.
From the cost of living crisis, what level of support they're given in schools, to the use of AI, read the full report to find out why 70% of them say thinking about their careers cause stress, and what they need from future employers.
What’s inside?
Early engagement
When young people start thinking about theur future career and how much they're engaging with careers advice and guidance.
Decision-making
What factors are contributing to the career decisions young people are making and what's top of mind.
What resonates most
What young people want from employers and careers leaders, the information that's missing and what excites them.
Insights and takeaways
A full rundown of all the data, including insights on what it means and what employers can do as a response.
Career advice for young people is missing practical, honest, future‑focused guidance, including clear pathways, real experience, salary information, and support for different learning and thinking styles.
Survey participant
Get access to the full data
Find out what factors are influencing career decisions in the next generation