An estimated 4.1 million young Americans between the ages of 16 and 24 are disconnected from school and work—a population often referred to as “opportunity youth.” This 2026 study from the Britebound Center for Career Navigation at JFF and the Aspen Institute Opportunity Youth Forum uses a qualitative design that centers the voices of young people and the direct service staff who work with them to explore the choices, constraints, and action steps that shape their career journeys. Its findings offer insights for practitioners, policymakers, funders, and other stakeholders seeking to strengthen the supports that help young people move toward quality jobs, economic well-being, and thriving futures.
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