Mismatch between chosen careers and the labor market is concerning in Mexico according to IMCO.

The recent report from the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), titled "Compara Carreras 2024," sheds light on a concerning reality in the educational and labor landscape of Mexico. As young people continue to choose their university careers, an alarming disconnect persists between their educational decisions and the demands of the current job market. This mismatch is clearly manifested in the alarming precariousness of certain professions, such as education, which ranks among the lowest paid, with an average monthly salary of only 16,979 pesos, or around 860 dollars. Educational guidance, in particular, reflects how many young people choose their academic futures without a critical analysis of job opportunities and trends. In a country where many people live paycheck to paycheck, the lack of a thorough evaluation of professional options results in career choices that do not necessarily guarantee economic stability or growth. IMCO points out that students continue to opt for the same popular careers from a decade ago, ignoring the new demands of the market. In contrast, the highest-paying careers, which include Medicine, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, and Fine Arts, demonstrate a growing demand for technical and scientific skills. In fact, the health field, for example, not only remains essential but is also in constant evolution, ensuring its relevance in the future. Fine Arts, although surprisingly among the highest-paying professions, underscore the need for creative skills in an increasingly automated world. Globally, studies such as that from the British agency Nesta highlight the importance of creative thinking and innovative work, especially in a context where automation is redefining traditional jobs. Meanwhile, careers that rank among the lowest paid, such as Social Work, Foreign Languages, Criminology, and Sports, point to a clear lack of value in the Mexican labor market. Vikas Pota, director of the Varkey Foundation, mentions that in countries like South Korea and Finland, teachers are highly valued and well compensated due to the rigorous professional training they receive. The situation in Mexico, however, is very different. The lack of support and recognition for educators translates into an education system that neither empowers nor adequately prepares future professionals. The most popular careers in the country, such as Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, and Law, continue to occupy the same place as they did ten years ago, indicating a lack of adaptation to new labor realities. The report "The Future of Work" from the World Economic Forum highlights that global companies will adopt advanced technologies in the next five years, which requires specific skills that are not being developed locally. Skills such as data analysis, critical thinking, and artificial intelligence are becoming crucial, and unfortunately, many of these skills are taught in the highest-paying careers. However, this lack of alignment is not solely due to young people's resistance to exploring new options. It is symptomatic of a structural problem in the Mexican education system, where educators lack the resources, training, and respect necessary to guide students toward a more promising work future. Education must be a driver of change and growth, but this engine is failing to produce the necessary results for a country seeking to attract investment and development. It is urgent to rethink the educational approach in Mexico, not only to foster interest in careers that respond to the evolution of the labor market but also to elevate the status of teaching and undervalued professions. The key lies in creating an environment that values knowledge and training, encouraging young people to analyze and select their professional paths more consciously and strategically. While the future of education and work in Mexico presents a challenge, it is also an opportunity. With a renewed focus on professional training, a more competitive country can be built, one that is prepared to face the demands of an ever-changing world.