Young Americans and the Future of Work 5/21/26

Young Americans have always believed the future would offer more opportunity than the past. That optimism has long been one of the country’s defining strengths. But new polling suggests that confidence is starting to crack and policymakers should pay attention.

A recent Gallup survey found that just 43% of Americans ages 15 to 34 believe now is a good time to find a job where they live, a stunning reversal from historic trends.

It’s not surprising. They are entering adulthood during a period of economic whiplash: pandemic disruption, inflation, housing costs that feel permanently out of reach, rising student debt, and growing uncertainty around artificial intelligence and the future of white-collar work. Axios recently reported that unemployment among recent college graduates has climbed above the national average and underemployment remains high.

Many did what society told them to do: work hard, get educated, build skills, and prepare for the future. Now,  too many feel like they are walking into a system that no longer guarantees stability, affordability, or even a clear path forward. That frustration is real. But it is also a warning sign for a country that depends on innovation, entrepreneurship, and upward mobility to thrive.

The answer cannot simply be nostalgia for an older economy that is not coming back. AI is real. Automation is real. Global competition is real. The world is changing quickly, whether our political system is prepared for it or not.

That is where the Forward Party believes a different kind of politics matters.

Forward’s approach starts with a simple idea: government should focus less on ideological warfare and more on helping people successfully navigate a changing future. That means investing in workforce development, apprenticeships, modern career training, entrepreneurship, technical education, and AI literacy. It means preparing students not just for the jobs that existed 20 years ago, but for the industries and technologies that will define the next 20. It also means recognizing that dignity and purpose matter just as much as economic statistics.

The good news is that pessimism is not destiny.

The same generation expressing anxiety about the job market is also the most adaptive, technologically fluent, and entrepreneurial generation in modern history. Young Americans are already building businesses online, creating entirely new industries, using AI tools creatively, and reshaping what work looks like in real time. Even leaders in the AI sector argue this technological transformation can create enormous opportunity if the country embraces it thoughtfully and prepares people for it.

America has reinvented its economy before. We can do it again. But it will require leaders willing to stop treating every issue as a partisan fight and start treating it as a practical challenge to solve together.

Young Americans do not need empty promises. They need leaders willing to level with them about change, invest in their future, and build an economy where hard work still creates opportunity.

That is the kind of future Forward believes is still possible.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

In Episode 10 of The Forward Party Podcast, the conversation turns toward one of the biggest questions in American politics right now: Can independent leaders actually reshape Congress from the inside? Hosts Lindsey Williams Drath, Governor Christine Todd Whitman, and Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey sit down with former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele for a candid discussion about party loyalty, election reform, voter frustration, and the growing demand for independent leadership across the country.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

NY Monthly Virtual Town Hall

Each month, NY Forwardists across the state meet on Google Meets to hear from a partner organization or potential endorsed candidate or to discuss a relevant topic. Open discussion follows. Email maverick@gmail.com to join!

Michigan Forward – May State Meeting

Come join us at our May state meeting for a quick discussion about what our plans for Michigan Forward are and what we can work on this summer.

Georgia Virtual May Meeting

We are excited to welcome Jerry Ramos, who is running for Sheriff in Hall County in the 2028 election. Jerry has a truly unique perspective shaped by his time in the Army, his work in security and law enforcement, and his experience raising 8 kids (!!). After seeing opportunities for improvement in the system, he decided to step up and run for office himself.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

NYC shuts out half its voters. The Forward Party supports a new bill to change that