Education doesn’t prepare us for the workforce

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Our education is a problem, experiences and moments I have had and been going through around this problem are gaining the skiIls that are needed to seek for my trucking career. The education I am receiving isn’t preparing me for the career I have selected.

For career building in some schools, especially public schools, we do not have the resources to teach and set us up for future success. Without the right assistance, the education and resources we need for our selected careers would only set us up for limited opportunities. For example, some schools don’t have a driver’s ed class, and for someone with a career like mine, it’s vital for learning about driving conditions and working on the road. I have also seen similar problems from people who’re older than me and have been through similar experiences and possibly worse, these community members were interested in a career during high school or even college, and during their pursuit they found out that there are limited resources and opportunities that are available to them because of the education they received.

Before starting our career I think schools should pour and invest more in pushing out career ready students. Solutions I have thought about and brought about for schools preparing students for careers would be to create a program or class that involves workforce educational influence & opportunities. This could help the youth and students throughout the school district by finding out what students selected careers are, or even help students find out their career. They could also bring in entrepreneurs or retired people of that career that could teach and possibly influence each student about getting ready for that career.

We are being failed

Current educational systems, particularly public schools, are failing to adequately prepare the youth for specific career paths due to a lack of resources and relevant practical training. Which leads to problems along the way resulting in limited opportunities or choices. The problem I’ve had with pursuing my career is that my education isn’t really preparing me for my selected career. High school is only providing minimal everyday education, what is needed is career directing education. – Data shows that 84% of hiring managers believe high school graduates are not prepared for the modern workforce, echoing the need for better practical, real-world skills – Data indicating that 84% of hiring managers believe high school graduates are unprepared for the modern workforce comes from the 2025 New Hire Readiness Report published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the College Board.

Without the right assistance, the education and resources we need for the selected career would only set us up for limited opportunities. For example, some schools don’t have a driver’s ed class, and for someone with a career like mine it’s vital for learning about driving conditions and working on the road. Driver’s ed is vital in high school because it builds a foundation of safety, teaching hazard avoidance, traffic laws, and defensive driving to reduce crash rates. For a trucking career, these early habits are crucial because they create foundational awareness of blind spots, adverse weather management, and road responsibility before getting behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. Driver’s ed acts as the first step in a career where driving is not just a personal activity, but a professional responsibility. 

If education is the tip of the iceberg for starting our career, then I think schools should pour and invest more in pushing out career ready students. A solution I’ve come about is setting up a school program & specializing in an IEP for individual students with selected careers. Currently, schools use IEPs or Individualized Education Plan for students with disabilities. Schools would look a lot more personalized and hands-on instead of the “everyone learns this” logic. Students wouldn’t just have everyday regular classes, they’d have career pathways built into them for the future. So if a student knows they want to be, say, a mechanic, nurse, game designer, electrician, HVAC worker, or even a trucker as myself, classes would start to match that career early. Instead of only general classes, part of their schedule would be directly connected to their careers. The classrooms would feel different also, we would see specialized spaces and areas depending on the career. Teachers would work more like a supporting team, general teachers, and even career coaches all planning together. The goal wouldn’t just be “pass the class”, it would be more of a “are you actually ready for your future”? This way students can leave school already having experience in their selected careers, and not just a diploma to call on.

Starting young matters because in our early years, this is the only time we’re allowed to be Professionally Messy. It’s to encourage youth to build their social capital and find their actual personality, not just trying to fill resumes. We need help to find our “why.”

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This story is part of Generocity’s 2026 Flourishing Series, supported by People’s Media Fund