A revealing study has shed light on the reality of employers hiring recent college graduates.
For those who have graduated in the past decade, the struggle to secure a first proper job is well known.
As of last year, it typically took the average college graduate around six months to find employment in the current job market.
However, once they do secure employment, many Gen Zers (individuals born roughly between 1996 and 2010) appear to have difficulties holding onto their jobs.
In a newly published study, which surveyed nearly 1,000 business leaders in August, it was discovered that more than half of employers had already terminated college graduates hired in 2024.
Considering these findings, one in seven employers indicated they might avoid hiring graduates in 2025.
Intelligent’s Chief Education and Career Development Advisor Huy Nguyen noted in the report, as per Newsweek: “Many recent college graduates may struggle with entering the workforce for the first time as it can be a huge contrast from what they are used to throughout their education journey.”
He further explained: “They are often unprepared for a less structured environment, workplace cultural dynamics, and the expectation of autonomous work. Although they may have some theoretical knowledge from college, they often lack the practical, real-world experience and soft skills required to succeed in the work environment.”
Among the 1,000 employers surveyed, reportedly 75 percent expressed dissatisfaction with some or all of their recent college graduate hires. Yikes.
The primary reasons cited for this dissatisfaction were lack of motivation, poor communication skills, and lack of professionalism.
Nevertheless, employers are not necessarily placing the blame on the graduates but on the US education system.
“As someone who went through years of education, including law school, I can tell you this: colleges are not preparing students for real-world work,” HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek.
“Education today emphasizes theory over practice. Sure, learning Greek mythology is fascinating, but unless you’re teaching it, how does that prepare you to communicate effectively in a corporate meeting or demonstrate professionalism? It doesn’t.”
Supporting this viewpoint, 2023 data suggested that nearly half of students felt their degrees did not equip them with the necessary skills, according to FE News.
An additional 20 percent mentioned they would have found work experience more beneficial.