Career prospects for young people in public high schools in Brazil: transgression or reproduction of social conditions?

Abstract This article aims to analyze young people’s career prospects in public high schools in a city in the state of São Paulo, considering social, family, educational, and cultural aspects. Career was discussed from two perspectives: career success and career indecision. The article contributes to career discussions by bringing the theory of French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, who investigates the limits of the educational system to contribute to individuals’ careers. Quantitative research was carried out with 3,287 high school students from public schools in a city in the state of São Paulo. After collection, the data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and cluster analysis. Six clusters of high school youths from the public schools were found. The results showed that the differences that allowed gathering these clusters were linked to family and social class reproductions more than to the role played by the school.