Expectations versus reality with respect to young people entering the job market as a challenge for entrepreneurial education

Abstract

One of the most important task of contemporary school, in addition to education, knowledge transfer and skills development, is to prepare young people to participate in economic life and particularly to enter the job market. Their success depends on a number of factors like the level and type of education, their entrepreneurial attitude, but above all on their knowledge and understanding of the market requirements. And it is the main task of the school entrepreneurship. In this article the author confronts expectations, plans and beliefs of young people (students from four secondary schools in Cracow) against their future employment in the real job market situation depicted in a report of Central Statistical Office in Poland: "Entry of young people into the job market in Poland in 2009". The conducted survey research shows several features such as: high expectations of young people towards their future work, varied and not always accurate plans for a job search, a large diversity in their initial work experience, problems with identifying their career plans and making the correct choice of further education and finally a low inclination to start their own business. Opinions of students about their own entrepreneurial attitude, usefulness of school subjects in their adult lives, and an indication of the key economic issues that, according to them, should be taught at school also supplement the studies. The results obtained by the author, showing the attitude and awareness of young people about their future career start, are the basis for discussion on further improving the process of entrepreneurship education in schools.