The Impact of Future Planning Resources on the Transition to Adulthood

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical developmental period during which young people shape the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that will influence their lives as adults. The educational system often provides limited instruction in essential life skills and career planning because of the emphasis on traditional academic content. As a result, many students may struggle with the transition to adulthood. Exposure to life-skills training and structured career guidance has been associated with smoother transitions to adulthood and may support successful adaptation. Research is scarce on the association between adolescent participation in these areas and outcomes in adulthood. The current study examines associations between access to early career/life-skills education and later career and life satisfaction. This study utilizes a structured questionnaire administered to college students ages 18-35 within the Chicagoland area. Multiple statistically significant correlations were observed, including perceptions of competence with adult challenges and prior educational experiences (r = .27, p = .001) and global satisfaction (r = .45, p = .001). A positive association was also observed between general satisfaction and use of future planning resources (r = .48, p = .001). Additionally, respondents reported a positive association between their own perceptions of the impact of future planning resources and general satisfaction (r = .33, p = .001).