By Guest commentary Friday, February 21st, 2025

By Vlad Vaiman

The transition from college life to professional work remains difficult for many, with current trends showing increased employer reluctance to hire recent graduates. 

The 2024 survey from Intelligent.com discovered that about 17% of companies hesitate to employ Gen Z graduates, mostly due to their alleged lack of readiness and traits like perceived entitlement and poor communication skills. 

Employers report dissatisfaction with fresh graduates, citing underperformance, unrealistic expectations, and struggle to adapt to professional settings. 

The majority of respondents notice that graduates face challenges in adhering to workplace norms and managing their workload while maintaining professional etiquette.

Employers highlight systemic shortcomings in both educational preparation methods and organizational integration practices for young talent. 

One of the key problems cited concerns the separation between theoretical knowledge picked up in college and its practical application in real-world settings. 

Academic excellence does not necessarily guarantee that graduates possess practical workplace skills such as, for example, project management and effective problem-solving under pressure.  

In addition, soft skills prove vital for workplace success, yet many new graduates find communication, teamwork, and adaptability quite challenging. 

Many employers also report that new employees lack professional behavior and have trouble accepting constructive feedback.

Academia’s structured environment presents a stark contrast to the self-directed nature of many workplaces, which tends to speed up the pace of work thereby making it difficult for graduates to understand company culture and perform independently while managing their time effectively. 

Furthermore, employers often notice that recent graduates have unrealistic expectations regarding their job duties as well as advancement prospects and work-life balance.

This entitlement mindset of new employees often leads to workplace tension with seasoned workers. 

Young employee behavior including tardiness to meetings, combined with inappropriate workplace language and a lack of initiative, contribute further to employer dissatisfaction. 

Professionalism, according to the survey, stands as a fundamental factor for success, as employers look for job applicants who show dependability together with responsibility and eagerness to learn new skills and abilities.

To address these important concerns, colleges and universities should act proactively to make sure students understand what to expect when they begin working. 

Educational institutions can and must do more to connect academic knowledge to industry requirements by creating career readiness programs as part of their curriculum and enhancing internship opportunities while teaching students communication and leadership skills. 

Training students in workplace etiquette and professionalism in close collaboration with business partners prepares graduates to enter the workforce with the necessary skills and realistic expectations. 

Employers also bear responsibility for the evolution of graduate success. 

New hires can adjust more effectively when employers implement a structured onboarding process that includes mentorship programs and workshops focused on workplace communication and professional etiquette. 

Clear expectations of new employees should be established through transparent goals and performance metrics from the very beginning, and their professional growth should benefit from regular feedback sessions. 

Offering professional development opportunities, such as leadership training and skill-building workshops, enables recent graduates to bridge the skills gap and contribute more effectively. 

Organizations should prioritize the inclusion of Gen Z graduates in a multigenerational workforce to enable them to learn from seasoned professionals and to introduce new perspectives to the workplace. 

Graduates themselves also hold the responsibility to actively pursue their professional growth. 

Those who demonstrate initiative and reliability and show their dedication to continuous learning will distinguish themselves from their peers. 

Mastery of oral, written, and non-verbal communication, along with professional behavior practice and receptivity to constructive feedback, form essential components for adapting to workplace norms. 

Graduates who connect with industry experts while building their professional network can better manage career obstacles and start building solid career foundations. 

Employers’ reluctance to hire recent college graduates surely presents a major hurdle, but it can be overcome. 

The meaningful joint efforts by colleges, organizations, and graduates themselves can reduce workforce readiness gaps while enabling a seamless transition from education to employment. 

Promoting professionalism, adaptability, and continuous learning will undoubtedly lead to improved productivity and success at work for employers and employees alike.

• Vlad Vaiman is an associate dean and professor at the School of Management of California Lutheran University and a visiting professor at several premier universities around the world.