Polish students and teenagers express career and future uncertainty

Recent studies highlight growing anxiety and specific expectations among young people in Poland regarding their transition into adulthood and the labor market.

A study conducted by PARP and Jagiellonian University involving over 8,000 students indicates that while high earnings are a primary motivator, they are not the sole criterion for choosing an employer. Approximately 34% of students prefer working for large Polish companies, while 32% favor small to medium-sized enterprises or large foreign firms. Additionally, 28% of students consider starting their own business, and nearly 20% are considering working abroad, particularly those in humanities, journalism, and engineering fields.

Separately, research by the We Did It Foundation and Norstat Polska reveals that 93% of teenagers experience anxiety regarding their professional future. Many express concerns about financial stability, finding suitable employment, and whether their talents will align with a changing job market. The study also found that one-third of teenagers are uncertain about their own strengths and talents, driven by social pressure and the desire for rapid success.