The Allstate Foundation and Gallup announced on March 9 new national research showing that young people who participate in service activities report higher levels of career readiness, community connection, and resilience. The survey included more than 3,000 youth ages 12 to 25 across the United States.
The findings suggest that engaging in service—especially when it is sustained, varied, and led by youth themselves—can help young people develop important skills for their future. According to the research, 82% of respondents said they had participated in some form of service. Those with service experience were more likely than those without to say they could handle challenges, persevere through problems, and achieve their goals. For example, 60% of youth who have served said they can find solutions to problems without giving up, compared with 43% of those without such experience.
Greg Weatherford II, director of The Allstate Foundation & Social Impact, said: “Service is a powerful developmental tool for young people’s career readiness, connection and resilience. When youth are trusted to lead and given real opportunities to make an impact, the benefits multiply. That is why The Allstate Foundation empowers youth to serve and improve communities across the country by engaging and equipping them with resources and opportunities to make a difference.”
The study found that half (52%) of respondents reported that service activities had a somewhat or very positive impact on feeling prepared for a future career. Youth who engaged more deeply in service rated themselves higher in career-ready skills. In terms of community connection, 79% said service had a positive effect on their sense of belonging. Feeling proud of personal growth increased from 61% among those not involved in service to 78% among those who were.
Youth-led service—where young people choose, plan or lead activities—was associated with even stronger outcomes but was less common; just over half (54%) reported having these experiences at least some of the time. Stephanie Marken, senior partner at Gallup, said: “This research aligns with patterns Gallup sees across our broader youth studies, where experiences that give young people greater agency are consistently associated with higher career readiness and confidence for the future. When service is frequent and youth-led, young people are more likely to report stronger career-ready skills, closer connections to their community and greater confidence in their ability to navigate challenges.”
The organizations encourage making sustained and varied youth-led service more accessible as a way to support young people’s development.
