Explore the demographic differences, pressing issues, and paths forward for each group:
They are navigating a storm without a map. Many wake up unsure how they’ll get to their next shift—or if they even have one. They’ve faced more than their share of challenges—including unstable housing, food insecurity, and disconnection. They are also juggling responsibilities, navigating multiple hardships, and staying alert for their next opportunity. Yet, they remain confident that they can overcome challenges, believing in the possibility of better days. They know there are opportunities out there for them to find—but those opportunities feel like locked doors. Burdened Seekers need support accessing essential resources—such as food, housing, and transportation—as well as high-touch job search assistance. This includes navigating opportunities aligned with their interests and skills, building resumes that reflect their lived experiences, and connecting with professional networks that can help open doors to new roles.
“I would say that like money is a big challenge, right? Everything costs money and everybody needs money, and everything's getting more and more expensive. Even just living outside the house means that I'm always at food banks or always going for the free resources of school, especially because I don't have a stable part-time job.”
They’re going through the motions—juggling jobs and trying different paths, but nothing has added up to a real career. They feel stuck, uncertain, and overlooked by systems that are meant to guide them. Confidence is low, and support networks are thin. With few trusted voices to lean on, many are unsure where to turn next. Eager to jumpstart adulthood on their own terms, Skeptical Explorers have faced challenges with previous paths and now approach future planning with curiosity and a desire for opportunities that encourage personal and professional exploration. They aim to grow in every area—career, health, independence, and new experiences—and need support exploring entrepreneurial paths alongside confidence building goals like moving out, improving their physical and mental well-being, and traveling.
“Knowing I’m not really doing what I’m supposed to be doing — or not doing what I could be doing — just gives me more self doubt … The ball should have been rolling already.”
On paper, they’re doing everything right—enrolled in school, living at home, and supported by their parents. But beneath the surface, they’re unsure of what lies ahead. They trust the system and their mentors, but don’t yet have a clear sense of direction or independence. As major milestones and life transitions approach, uncertainty builds—not from fear, but from not knowing which path to take or what’s possible. What they need isn’t just encouragement, but structured, confidence-building support that helps turn questions into a clear, achievable way forward. This includes financial planning, goal-setting guidance, and defined pathways that connect education to career opportunities.
“I’m not really sure if I want to start [college] in the fall or maybe start in the spring. If I want to go somewhere around home or if I want to go to a 4-year that’s kind of further … I feel like my parents know more about the colleges in this area. So, I was asking them which ones I should apply to or consider.”
Many are full-time workers, parents, and breadwinners—already carrying more than most young adults. Though employed and independent, they feel the burden of financial strain. They believe in the American Dream, but it feels just out of reach. They show up, tap their networks, but often struggle with decisions. They need flexibility, practical strategies and support to manage busy lives while building a better future for themselves and their families. Whether advancing their careers or launching a business, they are seeking personal resources that offer stability—such as childcare, health insurance, transportation, and counseling—and professional resources that can accelerate their progress, including mentorship and financial planning.
“So, if anything is to happen, I'm always the backbone in my family … If there's an accident, I'm always sitting at the doctor’s ... I'm always up to date with their day to day … I will put whatever I have on pause to go ahead and take care of them first … I for sure dealt with stress. Both with my career and with my personal life.”
They’ve got goals—and a plan to get there. These young adults are fueled by ambition and a belief that the future is theirs to shape. Whether they’re working toward a degree, building a business, or mapping their next move, they’re taking charge. They trust in the system, in their networks, and most of all, in themselves. They aren’t waiting for permission. They’re setting goals, embracing risks, and leveraging every tool they can—from mentors to social media—to move forward. But even the most confident need a boost. Eager to take a big step forward, these young people need strategies and support to grow their professional and leadership skills, advance in their jobs, explore entrepreneurship, manage their money, and experience more of the world.
“If you just sit back and wait, the opportunities and resources might not come to you. You have to be willing to go out there and find them, whether it’s through friends, teachers, or even just online research. That’s how you get ahead and make sure you’re on the right path.”
