A Vision for the Future: Reconsidering Education, Neoliberalism, and Career Paths in Italy

Considering the growing relevance of the strategic role of vocational guidance and career counseling in educational contexts, the present thesis investigates how Italian high school students express their future perspectives based on their principal interests. The study is divided into a literature review on the Italian educational system, the labor market in the country, and the social role of vocational guidance and career counseling, and a quantitative survey with 91 adolescents in their final school year, using thirteen questionnaires with open and closed questions about their interests and future visions. Among the main results found, the interest of male participants, as well as participants from more conservative economic backgrounds, positively connects to topics related to war. Additionally, some results demonstrate that anticipatory thinking can positively influence the future development of adolescents due to its relationship with "career adapt-abilities" and "future orientation" constructs.