Clutch For Youth Careers: How Non-Formal Education Shapes Career Choices?

Abstract

This study explores the influence of non-formal education on youth career decision-making, with a focus on attitudes such as proactivity, risk-taking, flexibility, and the need for support. Drawing on career development theories and contemporary educational models, the research examines how structured but non-institutional learning experiences affect young people’s confidence and readiness for the labor market. The study is based on a sample of 673 university students in Serbia and uses statistical analyses, including the Kruskal-Wallis test, to assess differences in career-related attitudes based on non-formal education participation levels. Results indicate that students who regularly or occasionally engage in non-formal learning show greater proactivity, openness to diverse job options, and lower fear of uncertainty. These students also tend to expect quicker transitions into employment and report higher academic performance. The findings suggest that non-formal education plays a critical role in shaping youth career outcomes and should be seen as a strategic complement to formal education. The study highlights the potential for higher education institutions to integrate non-formal learning as a means of enhancing student employability and aligning educational outcomes with labor market demands.