Albany, NY (WRGB) — A recent national study by an online magazine means that one in six employers are reluctant to rent Gen Z staff, citing issues about their professionalism and motivation. However, at a profession honest held at Crossgates Mall, college students, professors, and employers from the Capital Region provided a distinct perspective on the youthful era's function in the workforce.
Shubhi Gautam and Sean Chahal, latest faculty graduates attending the occasion, mentioned they’ve encountered a troublesome job market.
“The market’s been difficult… there are just so many rejections,” Gautam mentioned.
“When you send out applications, you can get ghosted or fail the interview,” Chahal added.
According to the survey, 75% of corporations report dissatisfaction with some or all of their faculty graduate hires, attributing it to an absence of motivation, poor communication abilities, and insufficient professionalism. However, native specialists say these issues are nothing new.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics exhibits unemployment has risen over the previous yr for 16 to 19 year-olds from September 2023 (11.8%) to September 2024 (14.3%).
The data also shows the unemployment charge to be the best amongst the 20 to 24 yr outdated age bracket (7.0%) out of all age teams over 20 as of September 2024.
But this isn’t a completely new development. In truth, this unemployment development dates again to the Fifties in response to a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis chart.
“Every generation faces criticism from older employers. It’s nothing new,” mentioned Dev Dalal, an Associate Psychology Professor on the University at Albany. “Be careful with the general assumptions you make about people. It affects your decision making, evaluations, and even interviews.”
Despite challenges, some employers say they see potential in Gen Z staff, significantly in their use of expertise.
“Gen Z is moving towards a more social media-based approach,” mentioned Yemi Adeniyi, a Talent and Acquisitions Manager at KIPP Capital Region Public Schools.
With Gen Z anticipated to make up nearly 30% of the workforce by 2025, Dalal and others urge corporations to keep away from stereotyping the era.
“There’s a lot of creativity in Gen Z, and they’re very connected with their communities,” mentioned Alicia Pepe, Assistant Vice President of Career Development at Siena College.
Crossgates Mall officers say occasions like their profession honest have helped bridge the hole between Gen Z job seekers and potential employers.
“This is like the fifth career fair we've had, and every time we do it, companies say they want to do it again,” says James Geraghty, an official from Pyramid Management Group — a bunch that manages the Cross Gates Mall.
