Ask a student today what they want to do for a living, and you’ll hear answers like software developer, AI engineer, streamer or creator. Research backs this up: A 2023 Pew Research report showed 60% of teens are interested in tech careers. And it makes sense. These jobs are in high demand and offer serious earning potential.
So the good news is that students have a pretty clear picture of the careers they aspire to. The problem? There isn’t always a clear path to getting there. Despite the increased interest in these career paths, traditional education hasn’t caught up with the rapidly evolving demands of advanced industries. Most high schools don’t teach the requisite skills, let alone offer mentorship or industry connections which are increasingly important to one’s success. College programs are also lagging behind what’s happening in the real world. According to a 2024 survey by McGraw-Hill Education, only 40% of college seniors feel prepared to pursue a career after they receive their degree. Students also reported a need for greater assistance in identifying transferable skills from their majors and promoting themselves to potential employers.
In fast-moving fields like tech, AI and Web3, the skills in demand today might not have even existed a year ago. Without structured support, students are often left to figure it out themselves—turning to YouTube tutorials, Discord servers, and online forums—with little formal recognition or clear pathways to employment. We see this everyday through several of the programs we run at 1,000 Dreams Fund for students interested in these industries.
It’s great that students are taking the initiative to pursue educational opportunities outside of the classroom. But relying on self-teaching as the standard only widens the opportunity gap. It leaves behind talented young people who lack the time, resources or network to navigate it alone.
Those from underserved communities are even worse off. Many of these students may have the same potential—yet without the knowledge to navigate or even access these evolving industries, opportunity remains out of reach.
The most promising solutions right now are occurring outside of traditional education pathways and, in many cases, are often occurring on-the-job. Industry giants in tech are creating hands-on training programs like registered apprenticeships. Some companies, like semi-conductor manufacturer Micron, are even investing in programs that help students find their way into community college-based training programs where they can acquire the skills that they will need along with housing and other resources to ensure their success once on the job.
At my organization, tech giants Riot Games and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have teamed up with us to create a direct pipeline to employment with our Riot Games Broadcasting Cadetship, an apprenticeship-style program, focused on building technical skills in esports broadcasting and production. It is important to emphasize that programs like these aren’t just about teaching those critical technical skills that students need for successful careers in broadcasting. It’s also about building confidence and providing access to networks that may have historically been difficult for everyone to access.
While it is promising to see such developments taking place, being driven by the very businesses that need this talent, these efforts alone will not address the labor shortage presenting itself in many of these critical industries. Indeed, the shortage is expected to be substantial, with one study estimating a global deficit of 85 million skilled workers by 2030, which could cost the U.S. tech sector billions in lost revenue.
A comprehensive approach is needed where like-minded organizations (private and public) come together to develop solutions that work.
Business leaders need to be a part of the solution. So what does that mean for you and evolving business needs?
Rethinking what counts as education
Instead of viewing education as a one-size-fits-all approach, we should think creatively about how to make the most impact. By broadening what we value as learning, business and education leaders can create a more flexible, inclusive system that recognizes talent wherever it develops. That means embracing methods like project-based coursework, emerging tech credentials and trade certifications that prepare learners to thrive in a world where skills—not just degrees—open doors.
Partnering with industry to co-create training programs
Imagine a high school or community college working directly with a tech company to design a real-world project that mirrors actual business challenges, such as building a customer-facing chatbot, testing a market strategy, or evaluating the ethics of AI-driven products.
For students, it’s hands-on, résumé-ready experience. For companies, it’s a strategic investment: They help shape the next generation of talent, strengthen their hiring pipeline, and ensure that education keeps pace with rapidly shifting industry needs. These collaborations spark innovation, expand access and create a more prepared workforce that benefits employers and learners alike.
Offering real-world, paid experiences for students
Instead of relying on unpaid internships or purely theoretical assignments, schools can integrate short, paid micro-internships or project-based gigs directly into coursework—and businesses of all sizes should play a pivotal role.
For students, hands-on experiences build portfolios, generate income, and create pathways into industries that are often inaccessible without insider connections. For employers, they offer early access to emerging talent, fresh thinking, and cost-effective solutions to real business needs. When companies invest in these real-world learning opportunities, they’re not just giving students experience—they’re strengthening their own future workforce.
Looking ahead, we can’t afford to let curiosity go unsupported or allow emerging fields to remain out of reach for those without access or opportunity. The next generation is ready, willing and able. Now it’s our turn to meet them halfway, with our sights set on the future.
