Italian students face uncertainty in post-diploma career and study goals

A Censis survey conducted as part of the ‘Iride – La scuola vista dai giovani’ project has revealed the post-graduation aspirations and challenges facing over 8,000 Italian high school students. The data shows a significant desire among youth to balance education with employment, with 41.7% of respondents aiming to combine university studies with work. However, a gap exists between these ambitions and reality; one year after graduation, only 7.7% of graduates are successfully studying and working simultaneously.

Preferences vary significantly based on the type of school attended. High school students (liceali) primarily focus on higher education, with 37.2% wishing to study exclusively and 48.5% intending to pair studies with a job. In contrast, students in technical and vocational tracks show a stronger inclination toward the workforce, with 26.7% of technical students and 41.3% of vocational students seeking immediate employment. Additionally, nearly 40% of students report feeling inadequately prepared to choose their post-diploma path.