[Choosing a University] Even if you don't have a "passion," you can choose a path you won't regret! What is the secret to making a "satisfying decision" that you should know by age 17? New book "What to Do About Career Choices" released.

Gakken Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / Representative Director and President: Tatsuya Nanjo), a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / Representative Director and President: Hiroaki Miyahara), released "What to Do About Career Choices" on March 23, 2026.

■Before choosing a career path, 90% of high school students don't learn "how to decide"

"What do you want to be in the future?"

"What do you want to study at university?"

"What are you interested in?"

You are probably often asked such questions when choosing a career path. However, how many people can clearly answer these questions? I don't think there are many.

Family and teachers will likely gather a lot of information to give you hints.

University brochures, explanations of faculties and departments, seminar and lab themes, national qualification pass rates, employment rates, graduate school advancement rates, availability of overseas study programs, difficulty of past exams, availability of designated school recommendation slots, tuition fees, availability and content of scholarship programs, experiences of seniors, evaluations on social media and word-of-mouth...

But before you know it, are you drowning in a sea of information?

That's understandable.
Most people have never learned what it means to "make a firm decision" or the specific methods for doing so.
In fact, when university students were surveyed, only 1 in 8 responded that they had been taught "how to decide"*.

※Survey results based on the authors' research.

■Acquire the lifelong skill of "how to decide"

In the business world, "how to decide" is also called "decision-making."
Which product to sell, where to spend money. Business people make choices every day for which there is no single correct answer.

If you can't make good decisions, you might waste time and money, or miss opportunities.

Knowing "how to decide" when choosing a career path is like getting a life jacket to keep from drowning in a sea of information. As you wear it and navigate, the compass within you will eventually point you in the right direction.
This is none other than your unique path.

Now, let's draw your own navigation chart through this book!

FAQ

What is the main purpose of the newly released book "What to Do About Career Choices"?

The book aims to teach individuals, particularly those around age 17, how to make satisfying career and university decisions, even without a clear passion.

According to the article, what percentage of high school students have not been taught "how to decide" their career path?

The article states that 90% of high school students have not learned "how to decide" when choosing a career path.

What kind of information is typically provided to students when they are choosing a university or career path?

Students are often given information such as university brochures, faculty and department explanations, seminar themes, national qualification pass rates, employment rates, and scholarship program details.

Why is learning "how to decide" considered a lifelong skill, according to the article?

Learning "how to decide," also known as "decision-making" in the business world, is a lifelong skill because it helps individuals make choices daily without a single correct answer, preventing wasted resources and missed opportunities.

What was the survey result regarding university students being taught "how to decide"?

A survey indicated that only 1 in 8 university students responded that they had been taught "how to decide."

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