Youth Voice Survey Results
Working together with Hart Research, National 4-H Council conducted a Youth Voice survey to examine how youth feel about their readiness for college, career and life after high school. The Youth Voice survey accompanies the launch of Beyond Ready, a national initiative set to reach 10 million youth through 4-H’s youth development programs.
The newly released survey shows that schools can’t do it alone. U.S teenagers seek more support to develop essential career, life and technical skills to help them succeed in the future.
The survey of 1,116 teenagers ages 13-18, including 273 4-H participants, was conducted online by Hart Research and fielded August 27 – September 9, 2024.
Key Findings
- Youth feel that out of school programs, like 4-H, are critical for helping young people build skills and prepare for career success.
- Teens in 4-H are more likely to reach important life goals like starting a business, being debt-free, making a difference in their community and contributing to science.
- While teens plan to pursue several options after high school graduation, 4-H youth are:
- 40% more likely to pursue a college degree
- 2X more likely to obtain vocational or technical training
- 2X more likely to serve in the military.
- Healthcare and STEM-related careers are tops for 4-H youth:
- Health, Healthcare and Wellness (16%)
- Computer Science and Technology (16%)
- Engineering (15%)
- Science Research and Development (14%)
- Agriculture, Animals and Food Science (13%)
- 70% of students in 4-H programs feel prepared to apply both technical and life skills in their careers, about half of their teen peers do not.
Read More About Full Survey
