High school graduates are struggling with their career path - a clip from the morning broadcast of RTVS.

Our mission is to find our candidates (job seekers) a job in which they will not only earn money, but most importantly, they will see meaning in it and it will correspond to their needs and lifestyle.

(Mgr. Martin Miklánek SCHREIBER group, sro)

In order to fulfill this mission, we organized a survey "I graduated, what next", which helped us better understand what our candidates are looking for and appreciate. The results of the survey became the basis of a press release ( What are high school graduates planning? Up to 81 percent don't know ) and we subsequently presented them on May 29, 2024 in the live broadcast of the Morning News on RTVS (time 41:30-49:20).

Read the answers to the questions and learn more about the survey:

Survey " I've graduated, what next?" SCHREIBER group, based on a sample of 2,800 students from all over Slovakia, showed that up to 81% of graduates are unsure of their employment in the field they studied.

Although the school-leaving exams are in full swing, the next direction for many high school graduates is not so clear. As the latest survey shows, up to 81% of students admit that they are not sure about their application in the field they studied. " This is an alarming number for us. As the survey also showed, many young people are fumbling in their professional or professional direction. Up to 60% of high school graduates admit that the choice of high school was inappropriate for them, even though they have already graduated ," states Martin Miklánek, executive director of the SCHREIBER group, in connection with the survey "I graduated, what next", which was conducted on a sample of 2,800 respondents from all over Slovakia.

Low interest of young people in the profession

Although the overall average unemployment rate for April reached 4.99%, unemployment among young people under 30 is more than 20% in several parts of Slovakia. " This phenomenon is, among other things, a reflection of a very low willingness to take one's life into one's own hands. This can be caused by the influence of the environment, parents, friends, but also external factors ," says Martin Miklánek. At the same time, it can lead to the assumption that there is no hurry and young people postpone their decisions about the profile of their studies, first job, expertise, they wait for "something better", but often have no idea what it should be. " According to our survey, young people are significantly less likely to try to become independent from their parents, especially in the area of their own income - for example, from employment ," he adds. This is also confirmed by the survey data - for 81% of respondents, money is not the primary motivation when making decisions. The main ones are hobbies, self-realization, travel, the team, their wellbeing and body care.

Lack of attractive internships

However, as Martin Miklánek points out, the second fact of the current situation is the level of education, where, especially in vocational education, there is a lack of sufficient and attractive professional practice. " Students are increasingly using part-time jobs during their studies, or they are not working part-time in the fields they are studying, where they could supplement the missing practice and experience. At the same time, there is a great demand on the labor market for both young people and graduates ," the expert states.

The survey also revealed a third phenomenon - up to 72% of respondents do not even plan to work in the field they studied or graduated in. They prefer to choose the path of retraining, or are satisfied with a significantly lower classification than the focus of their studies. As Martin Miklánek points out, the wrong choice of school was, according to the admission of most graduates, the result of the decision of their parents, since they did not pay much attention to the choice.

There are several solutions, the state is also involved

The expert sees a way out in changing the settings. The state itself has already created the "Alliance of Sector Councils", which also maps shortage professions in individual regions of Slovakia. " The market is constantly evolving, so the solution is to actively follow trends, but also to bet and invest in your own talent, which everyone should know and develop. We have been pursuing this approach for two decades, and the market and clients show us that it makes sense ," notes Martin Miklánek. The EU also sees a solution through a lifelong learning system and a flexible response to market needs.

" At SCHREIBER group, we believe that every person is employable on the labor market. Everyone can be employed, have meaningful work that they enjoy and fulfill. Of course, an active approach to solving this issue is important and, if necessary, the need to seek assistance and help. This is what career counselors, personnel agencies, and psychologists are for ," notes Martin Miklánek.

Better-paid professions

Many young people are deciding between "working in overalls or in a suit". The situation and needs of the market are not that radical at all. " Even today, we commonly see professions that are secondary school and are better paid than professions with a university education. Today, it is no longer a surprise at all, a situation where, for example, an aircraft mechanic in the aforementioned overalls earns more than a university student ," states Martin Miklánek.

For example, although the need to study IT is constantly emphasized, practice shows that in many regions of Slovakia, IT is not among the professions in shortage at all. These include, for example, baker, nurse, or teacher.

That is why, according to the expert, it is important to know your strengths, what a graduate wants and can offer on the job market and go for it. " And if necessary, wait a year or two after university, gain work experience, or increase your qualifications, undergo certification or accredited studies, etc. Currently, there are more than enough options on the market ," he explains. The labor, social affairs and family offices also offer the opportunity to have these professional courses financed from EU funds or from national projects.

Volunteering will help

Volunteering is also a way. " Every employer likes to read such lines about their candidate and future employee. It definitely improves the candidate's chances of applying. However, the main advantage is gaining additional experience, work habits and self-realization, " concludes Martin Miklánek, Executive Director of SCHREIBER group.