The previously disadvantaged youth in South Africa face numerous challenges, one being the need to choose a particular career path, since there are a number of factors that impact their decision and steer them in a specific career path. This exploratory study addresses some of these factors and also highlights the important ones. Although a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used, there was greater focus on the qualitative aspects, since focus group and one-on-one interviews and informal discussions were conducted with relevant people. It emerged that the following factors impacted the youth’s career choices, namely, lack of proper education and training with respect to career guidance, often resulting in them not being adequately equipped to make fully informed decisions, lack of mentorship and role models in the entrepreneurial world, and family and cultural upbringing. It thus became apparent that much more needs to be done by both government and the private sector collaboratively in order to encourage entrepreneurship in South Africa. This includes better education and training with respect to career guidance, increased access to mentors, and a change in the mind-set of the youth, especially with regards to entrepreneurship
Keywords: education and training, youth; career choice; entrepreneurship
