Welcome to the Striving to Thriving Youth Quote Library. Here you’ll find a curated collection of more than 5,700 quotes from young people ages 15-22 living in communities across the United States. In the library you can see how young people describe their multifaceted identities, how they understand and apply meaning to language around job, work and career, how they think about and assign value to relationships, networking and connections, and their future goals and the education and career choices they believe will lead them there. You can also view additional notes on curation, categories and filters.
“I don’t think any of the words I used to describe myself would have a negative impact on my job, work, or career, but I have to admit sometimes I do procrastinate a lot, so that’s the only negative thing I think that would have a negative impact on my career.”
“I care for a lot of people. I love to care for people I love a lot. I like to give them anything they need as long as I…I don’t have anything as long as they have it, it’s okay.”
“Portfolio. A portfolio of projects, different kinds that you have done [can show that you’re useful.] Anything that shows off what your skills are. Anything that you can show for that shows that you’re great at whatever you said that you’re great at doing. I would say [that social capital can help you] both [if you have a portfolio/resume or if you don’t] because I know of some people who have got a position just because their friends, they are like just old friends, old buddies. And they completely trust in them, whatever; they didn’t even show anybody what they do or what their skills, or whatever.”
“I’m Black and brown.”
“Doctor, Ph.D…I want to be a doctor. I have people say you are going to give up – being a doctor is so hard. They get paid so much money, and they are not really happy. That is what I want to do. I want to make those people be like oh she actually did it, and she is happy doing it.”
“You identify yourself… Life has so much message to it. You don’t have every answer…to learn more about yourself, you got to jump out of your comfort zone.”
“At 25 I will have – I want to be a nurse with at least a master’s. I would be living in California, hopefully, with my girlfriend. If we are still together by then, maybe have a kid by 25 and our own home.”
[Re: the word “work”] “Transportation, car, slow, earning something.”
“You have to hold your head a certain way compared to other races, like certain situations.”
“I think it’s worth going because there are TONS of jobs you can’t get without an education or a college degree. [What are some of the jobs you’re thinking of? Are there any jobs you think you might be interested in that you could get without a college degree?] Some good careers that need a college degree: doctor, vet, nurse.”