The Skill Gap Challenge: Gen-Z & Job Loss
“Real change will happen when all schools, communities, and businesses work together to help students practice workforce skills. Students who get hands-on learning experiences will become better at managing their time, working in teams, and communicating clearly.”
I once had an interview for the A More Just NYC Fellowship, a fellowship that would help close down Rikers Island and promote justice reform. It was an opportunity I was genuinely passionate about, but, without any prior interviewing experience, I struggled to express my skills, values, and potential. Needless to say, I didn’t get the job.
Losing that opportunity was very disappointing, yet it became a turning point. It showed me how crucial hands on learning and social interaction are for professional growth. In New York City, unemployment for Gen Z workers has gone up 13% this year, affecting nearly two million young people who are struggling to keep their jobs and pay their bills. The truth is, our education system is not preparing young workers with the real world skills they need to succeed, and the consequences are showing up at their workplace. Imagine getting your first job, feeling excited and proud, only to lose it a few months later because you didn't have the skills your classes never taught you. Sadly, this is what many young workers are going through today.
Across the country, more and more employers are worried about how ready young workers are for real jobs. A recent fortune report says that 60% of Gen Z employees have been let go within their first few months of work. The main reasons? Unprofessional behavior, weak communication, poor time management, and difficulty with problem solving.
According to a LinkedIn workplace learning report, 91% of employees say soft skills like communication, teamwork, adaptability, time management, and problem solving are just as important as technical skills which include coding, data analysis, or operating specialized tools. Yet most young workers enter their first jobs without them. Many employers say they are forced to spend months training new hires on basic communication, organization, and teamwork habits that should’ve been built long before.
Many new graduates have great technical skills, but that doesn’t always help them in the workforce. Employers often say Gen Z workers are great with technology but have a harder time working with people. They can handle computer programs easily, but they struggle with face to face conversations, teamwork, and meeting deadlines. Some hiring managers say “They’re not lazy, they just don’t have enough real world experience.” Another survey from McKinsey and Company found that nearly 40% of employers' new graduates lack critical thinking and problem solving skills. This shows that being good with technology alone isn't enough; communication skills, time management, and problem solving matter just as much.
The COVID-19 pandemic only made this problem worse. Due to online learning and social distancing, many students missed out on important chances to build teamwork and communication skills. Instead of learning how to work with others, they spent years behind screens. When they entered the workforce, they found it hard to adjust to real world situations that require talking, listening, and working together.
Even though the problem is serious, there are signs of hope. Many schools, including our own, are trying to help students build stronger workplace skills. For example, Michigan State University now teaches students how to network and communicate professionally. Career centers offer mock interviews, internships, and mentorship programs that give students real experience and confidence before they start their first job.
Comp Sci High targets this issue by having a PSL class and team which help you get jobs and opportunities. Comp Sci High has a required amount of internships that need to be done before you can graduate. For example, I got into Learn and Earn through the PSL team, which is an internship where you take a college class for two months then the supervisors give different job choices you can choose from. I chose to work at the Bronx River Community Center, where I work with kids by helping them with homework, organize activities for them, and ensure their safety.
The PSL office offers a whole bunch of different versatile opportunities and they help you get the experiences you need before going off into the real world. Mr Murray, who is the 12th grade PSL teacher, says “It’s extremely important for young people to have access and exposure to meaningful professional opportunities, from the second they step foot on campus here at Comp Sci High we ensure that. Research shows the earlier you get professional experience, the better offer you’re going to be.”
Comp Sci High also addresses these challenges through Design Competition, where we work with a team to identify a problem, develop a solution, and present the project — allowing us to practice problem solving, collaboration, and communication skills that prepare us for future careers and opportunities.
Real change will happen when all schools, communities, and businesses work together to help students practice workforce skills. Students who get hands-on learning experiences will become better at managing their time, working in teams, and communicating clearly. To support this growth, schools should make mandatory workshops that help with soft skills to ensure every student has an opportunity to build these essential abilities for their future. Everyone deserves the chance to build these important skills for their future. If skills continue to focus only on grades and tests, students will enter the workforce unprepared for the real world challenges.
