Gen Z and unemployment: two keywords that are increasingly being paired together like best friends. This article began as a scornful take concerning Gen Z’s employment woes, but it turned into a nuanced research dive geared toward understanding why Gen Z is struggling to find employment.
The truth is that recent grads are facing conditions unseen by previous generations. We live in the times of ghost postings and personality tests. Where applicants are made to feel guilty that their college credentials mean nothing outside campus. Where you need experience to get experience. Where you can get denied for being overly qualified. The whole thing is a mess, and for the first time in over a decade (barring COVID), being an alum is not guaranteeing significantly higher employment rates compared to non-college graduates.
In no way does this excuse Gen Z, as research continues to show employers’ dissatisfaction with Gen Z’s productivity, team building and tardiness. Vice reported that nearly 17% of employers are hesitant to hire Gen Z for reasons ranging from unprofessionalism to incapability.
U.S. News spoke with hiring managers across the country and reported Gen Z issues ranging from communication to collaboration. One person who experienced letting go of Gen Z employees is Aaron Whittaker, vice president of demand generation and marketing at Thrive Digital Marketing Agency.
“I think many bosses have difficulty working with Gen Z grads because they tend to prioritize speed over substance, often taking shortcuts that sacrifice quality,” he said.
Coming into writing this, I recalled my time at LSU over the past three years, thinking about class participation, engagement and attendance.
All three are lacking.
This is not to say that Gen Z isn’t falling victim to job market trends, rising cost of living and heightened concern for mental health, but it does bring us to a crossroads we must contend with. Older generations will not have mercy.
Our generational predecessors can ramble all day about the poor state of the economy, go on until they’re blue in the face about everything being more expensive, and express their worry for the next generation, but try buying their house or car and you’ll see there’s no Gen Z discount.
Most people are out for themselves and their inner circle, as they should be, but realizing that helps prepare us as students for the reality of the world.
Despite the state of the job market, we make it harder for ourselves.
Why are we on our phones in class? Why are we watching YouTube in class? Why are we only showing up when attendance is mandatory?
The answers to these questions all point in the same direction: college is an uncertain gamble if you’re hoping to land a job straight out of school. It’s something to be completed, not accomplished. Show up, try and you will graduate. Unfortunately, that’s not enough anymore. Kickresume released a report showing that more than half of graduates in the past year are still looking for a job.
This is even more reason to research side hustles, attend résume workshops and open our minds to other career avenues. What LSU doesn’t admit is that they are not here to help you. Our mission and vision statements say nothing about helping you find a job or secure financial stability. Whether you recognize it or not, being in college serves as a public good, so think of yourself as a servant of the state.
Coming to class implies you believe there are things you must learn in order to be properly equipped for reality. What’s sad is the things we really want to harness — self-love, romantic practice, slivers of independence — should not land students in $30,000 of debt vying for $65,000-a-year careers.
Mohammad Tantawi is a 24-year-old mass communication senior from Smyrna, Tenn.
