○ In 2007, female middle school students showed higher career ambitions and career education participation than male peers; students with lower academic grades had higher participation in career-related experiences than peers with higher academic grades.
○ Formation of positive self-esteem and career ambition increases the likelihood of avoiding Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) in adulthood by 1.2 times and 1.3 times, respectively and probability of higher income by 3.2% and 4.8%, respectively.
○ Having academic planning in line with career ambitions had the effect of increasing average monthly income by KRW118,000 after reaching adulthood among female students.
○ Income elevation effect from having career ambition was greater among students with better socio-economic backgrounds or with better academic achievements, showing that these two factors differentiate the impact adolescent career ambition has on adulthood income.
○ Career education in school curriculum should focus on providing students with the opportunity to contemplate their careers, and aligning their education plans with their vocational aspirations through counseling with credible professionals.