Youth Perspectives on Decent Education and College and Career Readiness

Abstract

Decent education is conceptualized as playing an important role in preparing young people for college and career and eventual access to decent and satisfying work. While this is a promising extension of psychology of working theory for youth (PWT), the construct was derived from a review of literature, and needs to be informed by research, including youth perspectives. To address this gap and to advance research on youth PWT, we interviewed 17 high school seniors (11 female, four male, two non-binary) with diverse racial/ethnic identities and levels of caretaker educational attainment. Interviews were conducted in the year following the outbreak of COVID-19 with students attending innovative schools that feature student-centered learning, workplace internships, and close relationships with advisors and workplace mentors. Analyses conducted through Consensual Qualitative Research highlight youth perceptions of how relational supports and learning experiences at school and in workplace internships can promote a range of academic, vocational, social skills and psychological resources relevant for college and career readiness. The findings amplify youth understanding of decent education and extend knowledge of psychological resources, including youth purpose, self-efficacy, and critical consciousness, aligned with youth PWT.