While it may be true that “change is the only constant”, it's arguable that over the past few years, the rate of change has been anything but constant. It seems to speed up more each day. What does this mean for Generations Z and Alpha – especially those who are just finishing school and trying to decide their next steps? 

In Kazakhstan, inVision U recently collaborated with 98mag.kz to conduct a study into young people’s views on educational strategies. How do they feel about tertiary education, and how are they planning to confront the future? Perhaps unsurprisingly,  the study found that among Zoomers and Gen Alpha, perceptions of higher education are changing fast. 

University is no longer seen as a guaranteed route to success, and it’s generally understood that the idea of a job for life is well and truly gone – no news there. And with AI looming over the future, it’s hard to choose a specialism, as no one is quite sure what jobs will even exist in ten years. Flexibility is now the name of the game.

Added to this the sometimes prohibitive costs, outdated university programs, and a growing range of digital options, and it’s not surprising that many youth are wondering if a degree will just be a waste of time – especially those who join the work force early.

Nevertheless, around 83% of the study’s respondents still identified university as their primary option after completing school. Certain aspects of university life are still seen as valuable: 87.2% of respondents thought that the connections, environment, and social experience it provides are important.  But many think that universities need to change their approach: according to the study’s findings, “Young people want greater contact with teachers, smaller classes, flexible programs, interdisciplinary approaches, and a sense of connection between learning and the real world.”

While the study was conducted in Kazakhstan, it seems likely that many of the findings will hold true in other parts of the world. The study’s conclusion is heartening: “young people in Kazakhstan aren't abandoning education. Quite the contrary—they're starting to approach it more seriously and pragmatically.” 

Read the full study here.