Roughly half of class of 2020 graduating seniors say their plans for after high school have changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new national survey by Junior Achievement and the PMI (Project Management Institute) Educational Foundation. Amid the turmoil, the organizations are offering a couple of new online initiatives to help graduates sort out their options. 

Of those whose plans have changed, more than a third (36%) say they will now work, while nearly as many (32%) expect to delay their start date for college. Additionally, nearly one-fifth (16%) changed the career path they wish to pursue. The survey of 1,000 U.S. teens graduating from high school in 2020 was conducted by Wakefield Research for JA and PMIEF in support of the new educational initiatives by the two organizations.

Among other findings from the survey: 

– Forty percent of graduating seniors said they are working. Of those who are, nearly half (49%) say they or their families depend on their income for living expenses.
– Four out of 10 respondents said that COVID-19 affected their plans to pay for college.
– More than a third (35%) who are planning to attend college now say they are less excited to go.
– Of those planning to attend college, their biggest concerns are the impact of COVID-19 on classes and academic quality (58%), dorm life (53%), athletics and school-sponsored events (44%), and dining halls (40%).

“It’s not surprising that the class of 2020 has been reconsidering its plans in light of COVID-19,” said Jack Kosakowski, president and CEO of Junior Achievement USA. “I think what is surprising are the types of life-altering decisions being made now without a clear idea of what the coming weeks and months will bring. That’s why it’s imperative we get as much information as possible to teens to help them navigate these uncertain times.”

To help meet that need, Junior Achievement and the PMI Educational Foundation have collaborated on two educational initiatives to help teens better plan for the future. 

The first is the JA Economic Resources website, designed to help students and adults become educated consumers of economic information. The second is Project Management 4 All, a new online game that introduces teens to the concepts of project management and planning. A video that showcases project management careers complements the game. 

According to the survey, two-thirds of respondents said they would be interested in exploring a career in project management.

“We’ve witnessed the widespread effects of the pandemic on everyday life, and the situation makes clear the critical contributions of project managers in helping us navigate the unexpected,” said Jeannette Barr, executive director of PMIEF. “We’ve relied on their expertise to rapidly construct hospitals, deliver medical equipment, and even revamp grocery supply chains. All of these projects point to the importance of learning project management at an early age.”