Busting the Career Myths Shaping Student Decisions

Busting the Career Myths Shaping Student Decisions

Walk into any Canadian high school and you can sense the pressure students feel when imagining their futures. Course selections, program prerequisites, online advice and well-intentioned expectations from adults all compete for their attention. Layer on rising youth unemployment, fast-moving conversations about artificial intelligence and the cost of post-secondary education, and many teenagers feel they must get every decision exactly right.

Educators see how quickly this pressure turns into anxiety. Counsellors hear it one-on-one; principals see it reflected in school climate, motivation and wellness. Underneath it all, persistent career myths continue to shape how young people think about their options, often narrowing their sense of what is possible long before they have had a chance to explore.

Findings from CERIC’s new Career Myth Buster quiz, developed through focus groups and pilot testing with Grade 9–12 students, show just how sticky these misconceptions are. Challenging these myths will help students gain clarity and feel better equipped to manage the uncertainty that comes with planning for the future

Six myths stand out for their impact and frequency.

MYTH 1: “I have to pick one career direction for life – before graduating high school.”

Many students still believe they must identify a single, permanent career path at a young age. It rests on the assumption that careers follow orderly, predictable routes.

In reality, most careers are far more fluid. Canadians work for an average of seven employers, and global research suggests members of Gen Z will hold around 16 jobs across multiple roles and sectors. Careers shift as people gain experience, discover new interests and respond to changing opportunities.

Students benefit when we frame career development as something that unfolds gradually rather than a decision they should already have made.

MYTH 2: “Making a ‘wrong’ career choice will ruin my future.”

The belief that early decisions have outsized consequences is one of the most emotionally charged myths students hold. In our focus groups, youth shared that they felt a “wrong” choice could significantly undermine their future. The high cost of post-secondary education and the pressure to choose quickly magnifies this concern.

Yet change is not only common – it is often productive. Nearly one in four Canadian university graduates later pursues a different program or career direction. These shifts help young people clarify their interests and build new skills.

When schools normalize exploration and treat redirection as part of learning, students become more resilient decision-makers.

MYTH 3: “Good grades dictate how far I’ll go in my career.”

The belief that marks alone define a student’s future remains widespread. In the quiz pilot, 70% of students said grades would determine their career success. For some, this drives achievement; for others, it reinforces stress or discouragement.

However, employers consistently highlight the importance of skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability – attributes that extend well beyond grades. Research shows that grit and perseverance can predict long-term outcomes as strongly as academic performance.

When educators broaden the definition of achievement, students gain a more realistic sense of how varied skills contribute to future opportunities.

MYTH 4: “I need a university degree to have a successful career.”

This belief remains strong among families and students. Nearly half of pilot participants (49%) said a university degree was required for a rewarding career. While university is essential for many professions, it is not the only gateway to success or fulfillment.

Across Canada, many employers are adopting skills-based hiring, and some are reducing or removing degree requirements. Strong opportunities continue to grow in the skilled trades, healthcare, technology and entrepreneurship.

Expanding students’ awareness of these options helps them choose pathways that align with their strengths, interests and needs – not outdated assumptions.

MYTH 5: “AI will eventually replace my future job.”

Students are encountering alarming narratives about automation, often without context. This can lead to resignation rather than curiosity.

Canadian research offers a more nuanced picture. Analyses of millions of job postings show that AI adoption has increased demand for human skills like digital literacy, teamwork and resilience. National labour studies also find little evidence of widespread AI-driven job loss so far, although roles are evolving as routine tasks shift.

Helping students understand the realities of AI – and the enduring need for human judgment, creativity and interpersonal skills – supports a more grounded sense of possibility.

MYTH 6: “If I don’t have a passion, I won’t be able to figure out a career path.”

Many students feel they should already have a clear passion to guide their decisions. “Find your passion” is something they hear often, and when that sense of certainty doesn’t appear, they may assume they are falling behind.

In reality, interest usually develops through experience. Students start to see what appeals to them by trying different things. Research also finds that satisfaction at work comes from engaging tasks, growth and contributing to something meaningful – not from beginning with a single defining passion.

When passion is presented as something that forms over time, students feel less pressure to have everything figured out and more freedom to explore possibilities.

How Schools Can Help Students Navigate These Myths

School leaders play a central role in shaping environments where career exploration feels manageable rather than overwhelming. Practices that make a difference include:

• Discussing career development across subjects, not only in designated classes
• Using tools like CERIC’s Career Myth Buster quiz to surface assumptions and prompt conversation
• Providing clear, balanced information to parents and caregivers, who significantly influence decisions
• Highlighting multiple post-secondary pathways, including trades, college programs, apprenticeships and entrepreneurship
• Offering experiential learning that allows students to test interests in real-world settings
• Reinforcing that uncertainty is normal, particularly in fast-changing labour markets

These approaches help young people build the adaptability they will need throughout their lives.

Conclusion

Today’s students are navigating more information, more uncertainty and more pressure than ever. When career myths go unchallenged, they add weight to an already complex process. When educators help dismantle those myths, they create space for curiosity, confidence and informed decision-making.

Career planning is not about predicting a single future. It is about equipping students to move through many futures with openness, skill and hope.

CAREER MYTH BUSTER QUIZ
Created by CERIC in collaboration with Vox Pop Labs and myBlueprint, the Career Myth Buster quiz helps students question assumptions and better understand how careers evolve. The tool encourages reflection in classrooms, advising sessions and at home. Students described the quiz as reassuring and eye-opening. It is available at careermythbuster.ca.

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THE AUTHOR:
Sharon Ferriss is the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at CERIC, a national charitable organization advancing career development in Canada.

References
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