Degrees are great but what are the graduates doing?

A degree is meant to open up career paths, but unfortunately, many graduates in Bangladesh find themselves with their certificates but no clear idea of which direction to take.

As Bangladesh aims to pass over from the Least Developed Country (LDC) group by 2026 and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, it's clear we need to go beyond building school infrastructure and offering stipends. One essential, but missing piece is career counselling.

In Bangladesh, more than 27 per cent of youths aged 15 to 24 years are not in education, employment, or training, according to the International Labour Organization. Meanwhile, nearly 39 per cent of university graduates remain unemployed for at least a year after graduation, as reported by UNDP. These numbers reflect not just a lack of jobs but a lack of guidance. Students are collecting degrees without a plan, stepping into an uncertain world without a map.

Career counselling could change this story. It helps students understand their skills and interests and match them with real opportunities. It also teaches them how to adapt to a fast-changing world shaped by technology and climate shifts. Without this support, many graduates end up underemployed, frustrated, or leaving the country altogether in search of better options.

According to CPD's latest analysis, Bangladesh is falling behind in education investment. The education budget for FY2025 is only 1.69 per cent of GDP (gross domestic product), the second lowest among 104 countries. This is far below the global average and less than half of what countries like Senegal or Djibouti spend. Out of Tk 94.711 billion (94,711 crore) allocated to the education sector, most is spent on operational costs like salaries, not development. In FY 2023, only about 25 per cent of education spending was used for development purposes such as training, skill-building, and infrastructure. Even more concerning, the development expenditure in education has been declining in recent years-from 37 per cent in FY 2021 to just 26 per cent in FY 2024. This indicates a shrinking space for innovation or new initiatives like career counselling.

This matters because our problems went far away from building classrooms. The education system doesn't prepare students for the real world. A survey of 500 young university graduates found their average computer literacy score was just 44 out of 100. Many lacked basic communication and English skills. These are critical for jobs-but our graduates don't have them.

That gap between what students learn and what the job market needs is a big reason why our youths are struggling. A CPD study also showed that 40 per cent of top employers in Bangladesh think their workers will need to learn new skills within the next year to keep up with technology. But if our graduates don't know what skills are in demand, how can they prepare?

This is where career counselling comes in. It doesn't just point to job openings, it teaches students how to plan. It helps them build confidence and think long-term. It can also reduce the growing issue of brain drain. If students know about career opportunities at home and feel guided they're more likely to stay and contribute.

Across the globe, there's a growing understanding that education is more effective when it includes career guidance. Countries like India, Vietnam, South Korea, and Finland don't see career planning as an extra; they consider it a vital part of education. India has online tools and partnerships in its schools. Vietnam connects schools with local job markets. South Korea offers a national platform with counselling and funding. Finland mandates early career guidance. By making career planning a priority, these nations are building stronger pathways from education to employment.

So how can the new budget help? First, the government should allocate specific funds to introduce career counselling programmes at the secondary and university levels. These funds could be used to train professional career advisors, create digital platforms for career services, and set up dedicated counselling corners at schools and colleges.

Second, the government could work with the private sector to ensure the education programmes are practical and up-to-date. Employers can offer insights into job trends and help design training that matches real industry needs. Internships and mentorships can also be arranged through these partnerships.

Third, counselling services should be accessible to all students, including those in rural and underserved areas. Mobile counselling units, online sessions, and community-based career fairs can help reach students outside major cities.

Investing in career counselling is not just good for young people-it's good for the country. It supports SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). It also helps us make the most of our demographic dividend. With more than half our population under the age of 35, we have a powerful resource in our youths. But if we fail to guide them, we risk wasting that potential.

Countries like Finland and Singapore already invest heavily in school-based career guidance and the results are clear. Their students are more confident, more prepared, and more likely to succeed in the job market. Bangladesh doesn't need to copy them entirely-but we can take lessons and build our own system, suited to our local context.

New job seekers do not have to grope for their futures alone. A career isn't something they should stumble into after finishing their education-it's something they should be guided toward while they're still learning. Without proper direction, even the brightest minds may take paths that don't use their full potential. The country loses when our most promising talents remain underutilised.

As we are shaping the FY2025-26 national budget, it's time we look at education not just as a system of degrees and certificates, but as a gateway to meaningful lives and livelihoods. We must shift our focus from simply producing graduates to building futures. Let this budget be the one that brings career counselling into classrooms and gives every student-not just a certificate-but a sense of purpose and possibility.

The writer is studying at Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka.

rupok.du.ds@gmail.com