Why Landing a First Job Has Never Been Harder for Gen Z

For generations, young people were told that if they worked hard, got good grades, and earned a degree, career opportunities would follow.

Today's reality looks very different.

While headlines are bullish on job creation, many young people are discovering that breaking into the workforce is more difficult than ever.

Less than half of college graduates had at least one job offer before graduation, according to NACE’s 2026 Student Survey. 

The challenge is a job market that increasingly demands experience, professional networks, and proof of readiness before someone has had the chance to gain any of them.

For Gen Z, the path from school to career is becoming more complicated and more competitive.

A Deeper Look at Gen Z Employment Numbers

Young adults are participating in the workforce, but they're struggling to gain traction.

In early 2026, unemployment for workers ages 20–24 stood at 7.2%, significantly higher than the 5.2% rate for workers ages 25–34 (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics). Recent college graduates faced a 5.7% unemployment rate, while an astonishing 41.5% were underemployed, working in jobs that typically don't require a college degree, according to data from the New York Federal Reserve.

At the same time:

• Entry-level job postings have declined

• Internship opportunities remain below pre-pandemic levels

• Competition for available roles has intensified

• Employers are raising expectations for new hires

In many cases, young people are finding themselves trapped in a frustrating cycle: employers want experience, but opportunities to gain that experience are becoming harder to find.

What’s Preventing Gen Z From Landing Jobs?

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers consistently rank communication, problem-solving, teamwork, initiative, and critical thinking among the most important skills they seek, yet many report that recent graduates are not entering the workforce fully prepared in these areas.

In fact, Deloitte's 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey found that while 59% of Gen Z respondents believe AI skills are important for career advancement, 86% say soft skills are essential for success. Today's workforce demands both.

Success isn't just about what you know.

It's about being able to:

• Communicate ideas clearly

• Present with confidence

• Collaborate with others

• Solve real-world problems

• Build relationships

• Adapt quickly

These are skills that are developed through practice, mentorship, and experience.

Summer: The Window of Career Opportunity

Summer has traditionally been a time for students to gain experience, build skills, and explore future careers. Those opportunities are becoming increasingly important.

When internships are scarce and entry-level hiring is slowing, experiences that provide mentorship, leadership development, career exploration, and professional networking become critical differentiators. And with the rise of remote work, in-person interactions and learning experiences are increasingly competitive.

That's why Girls With Impact created the Summer of Success Campaign.

Through immersive career experiences, mentorship opportunities, and hands-on leadership programs, we're helping young women gain access to the very skills and connections employers say they need most.

This summer, participants will:

• Meet industry leaders and professionals

• Explore careers in technology, finance, beauty, sports, and innovation

• Build communication and leadership skills

• Develop confidence through real-world experiences

• Expand their professional networks

• Learn what it takes to succeed in today's workforce

GWI Needs Your Support to Launch 1,000 Futures

Young women need more than academic achievement to succeed in today’s job market. They need access, exposure, confidence, mentorship, and practical experience.

Through Girls With Impact's Summer of Success Campaign, we're working to ensure that 1,000 young women gain those opportunities this year. You can help make that possible.

Share our Summer of Success Tour events and summer programs with young women in your life to gain the skills, connections, and confidence that today's workforce demands.

Or, donate today to support the Summer of Success Campaign and help launch the next generation of women leaders.