09/09/2025
As thousands of young people return to classrooms this September, new research from Hark’s Listen Up Report 2025 reveals a critical, and often overlooked, window for building career confidence in Years 8 and 9.
Almost a third of Year 9 students (30%) have already changed their mind about what job they want since starting secondary school. For many, this shift happens alongside a drop in confidence, where over half say they know little to nothing about their next stage and just 10% feel fully in control of what comes next.
This lack of clarity and confidence risks narrowing aspirations before they’ve had the chance to explore their true potential.
This is where brands and employers can make a real difference.
At Hark, we believe schools are the most effective route to young people and their communities. That’s why we’re calling on employers to show up earlier – not just at the finish line, but in the middle years when confidence is still forming and aspirations are still flexible.
The data shows a clear need to invest in Years 8 and 9 – opening up opportunities for students to discover what their passions could lead to, and connecting them with real-world examples of people turning passion into profession. Employers can play a vital role here by linking their own work back to the interests and values that drive them, making career paths more relatable and inspiring.
With grades, competition, and experience worries already shaping career choices by mid-secondary, the message is clear: if we want young people to aim high, we need to meet them in the middle years – and give them the tools, role models, and confidence to take control of their future.
Original Article: HRnews
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