RSU study finds: only 18% of secondary school students are confident about their future study choices
As the announcement of the centralised examination results approaches and the university admissions season gets into full swing, many secondary school students across Latvia are facing one of the most important decisions of their lives: what to do after graduating from secondary school. To find out how young people make decisions about their studies, what factors influence their choices, and what role parents play in this process, the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Faculty of Social Sciences conducted two surveys of secondary school students and their parents. The surveys highlighted several trends in young people’s educational choices and revealed that uncertainty about future studies and career paths is a major challenge.
A total of 1,777 Latvian secondary school students and 303 parents took part in the representative survey conducted in January and February of this year. The survey found that only 18% of young people are certain about what they want to study. The rest are still finding their path – some are considering several options, while others have not yet found the one that suits them best.
Confidence about future studies grows as students near the end of their secondary education; however, even in the final year of secondary school, many young people have not yet made a final decision.
The current model of education leads us to believe that by the end of secondary school, a young person already knows quite clearly what they wish to study. Our study shows the opposite: there is still considerable uncertainty about their choices. At this stage, it is crucial to receive reliable information and have an opportunity to discuss the various options with someone. According to the study, the role of universities and parents, in particular, during this time is extremely important – they can help young people make an informed decision that best suits their interests and abilities. At the same time, surveys show that understanding and consideration regarding future study choices differ among children and their parents – parents are more pragmatic, while young people look for professions that align with their calling and interests.
Līga Ozoliņa, Vice-Dean of the RSU Faculty of Social Sciences
What the RSU study reveals
- Only 18% of secondary school students are completely certain about what they will study after leaving secondary school
- 66% of students say that their parents are their main source of advice when choosing what to study
- 77% of parents say that their child has already discussed their future study plans with them
- 87% of final-year secondary school students discuss their plans for the future after secondary school with their parents
- 46% of parents believe that they can influence their child’s choice of study programme
Parents – the main source of career advice
The results of the survey of secondary school students show that the majority of young people have not decided what to study even shortly before graduating from secondary school. At the same time, high-quality information on study opportunities, professions, and labour market development trends is becoming particularly important.
The data collected confirm that young people rarely make decisions about their studies on their own. Two-thirds of students admit that they receive the most support from their parents when thinking about their future education. Friends, teachers, and career counsellors come second. This is also confirmed by a survey of parents: 77% of parents indicate that their child has already discussed their future plans with them, while among families of final-year secondary school students, this has already happened in 87% of cases.
At the same time, the results of both surveys also highlight a challenge: although parents are the main source of advice, they do not always have sufficient information about modern professions, study programmes, and the rapidly changing labour market. This means that higher education institutions, schools, and parents have a shared responsibility to help young people make informed decisions.
Meaningful work matters as much as salary
Contrary to the popular belief that young people choose their study programmes primarily for the sake of future income, a survey by the RSU Faculty of Social Sciences reveals a much more nuanced picture. Alongside the opportunity to earn a competitive salary, job stability, a sense of purpose in their profession, and the opportunity to do work that genuinely interests them are also important factors for young people.
Meanwhile, the survey reveals differences in the perspectives of young people and their parents. Parents more often encourage their children to choose fields of study where they believe they will have stable career opportunities, including engineering and natural sciences, while young people more frequently emphasise their personal interests and willingness to find a profession that brings a sense of satisfaction and aligns with their values.
RSU is chosen by young people who want to help others
The survey of secondary school students demonstrates that young people who consider RSU one of their top study choices are characterised by a willingness to do work that is important to society. More often than others, they emphasise their willingness to help people, improve the wellbeing of society, and choose a profession with a clear sense of purpose. Undoubtedly, these young people also value professional growth and financial stability; however, the opportunity to make a positive contribution to others plays a significant role. This motivation is characteristic not only of healthcare professions but also social sciences, psychology, sports, rehabilitation, communication and other fields where individuals and society are at the centre of professional activity.
