Teens are looking for new post-secondary career paths according to a survey conducted by Junior Achievement, a nonprofit organization that helps young people develop the skills they need to be successful in the global economy. 

In the past, many teens would go on to traditional careers such as teachers or lawyers. However, new data finds that 47 percent of teens are interested in starting a business as adults and utilizing Generative artificial intelligence (AI) in place of employees. 

Overall, 71 percent of respondents said they would likely consider starting a business as an adult, down from 76 percent compared with 2023.

In a statement, Junior Achievement highlighted a Small Business Administration study, which found that more than 33 million small businesses in the United States have no employees outside the business owner. This represents a shift from the traditional employer/employee business structure of the past, according to Junior Achievement USA president Tim Greinert. 

"At first glance, the fact that teens are looking to use AI instead of hiring employees might seem a bit concerning," Greinert said. "However, most small businesses don't have the need or ability to hire employees, so the fact that teens recognize the possibility of AI to add capacity to a business cost-effectively can be seen as a positive for a wide variety of startups." 

Many young people discover career paths through information they have gathered at school. One in five teens said they were likely to start a business based on resources they had received in a class or program at school, while 29 percent said they would be inspired by a social media influence. 

Furthermore, 10 percent said they were interested in a career as a social media influencer, followed by running a service business at 12 percent and owning a retail shop at 10 percent.