Employers urge colleges to teach Gen Z essential workplace communication skills

Employers across industries are voicing frustration that many Gen Z entrants lack fundamental office skills, from proper email etiquette to effective collaboration. Surveys reveal that 75% of companies find recent hires unsatisfactory and a sizable share of HR leaders would rather leave positions vacant than fill them with new graduates. Leaders including Glenn Fogel, John Mackey, and Jason Desentz argue that colleges must teach not only technical knowledge but also how to navigate workplace culture and leverage AI tools responsibly.

Academic voices such as Lynn Pasquerella and Peter Cappelli emphasize the need to equip students with adaptable competencies for a rapidly changing job market. Data from Pew and Gallup highlight the pandemic’s impact on social development, while firms like Turnitin note that students are adept with AI yet may lack resilience. Institutions like Dartmouth College are revamping career services to bridge the gap between employer expectations and student preparation.