Olena Zelenska Foundation Reveals Findings on Teenagers’ Professional Expectations in Ukraine

The Olena Zelenska Foundation recently unveiled the outcomes of a nationwide study titled “Future Index: Professional Expectations and Development of Adolescents in Ukraine,” focusing on over 10,000 teenagers aged 13–16 and their parents. The survey disclosed that 70% of teenagers struggle to identify a desired profession by the age of 30, with one in five yet to contemplate any career path. Despite this, a significant 82% of respondents maintain an optimistic view of their future.

According to the research, many teenagers aspire to careers in popular fields like IT, media, and law, overlooking sectors with labor shortages such as manufacturing. The study highlighted that current career guidance for students primarily relies on parental discussions, with only a small percentage having engaged in internships, met career advisors, or gone on workplace tours. Rural areas face additional challenges with limited extracurricular resources and logistical obstacles.

Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, emphasized the importance of providing equal educational opportunities to all children, regardless of their background or location. The research findings were presented at the Career Festival in Kyiv, organized in collaboration with the KSE Institute and UNICEF in Ukraine. The Olena Zelenska Foundation, known for its projects supporting children and youth, aims to address the educational and developmental needs of young individuals.

The “Future Index” initiative, launched by the Foundation in 2023, seeks to analyze the professional expectations of Ukrainian teenagers. With over 70 international partners from 30 countries participating in the Foundation’s projects, the focus remains on nurturing the talents and skills of young Ukrainians to help them make informed career choices and contribute meaningfully to society.