9 Tips for Gen-Z Graduates to Break Into the Workforce (and Prove the Stereotypes Wrong)

I recently came across two stats that surprised me quite a bit.

The first states that underemployed graduates working in jobs that don’t require their degree have risen to 41.2% as of March 2025, up from 40.6% in 2024. The second indicates that the unemployment rate for recent college graduates (ages 22–27) is now about 5.8%, a noticeable jump from 4.6% just a year earlier, and significantly higher than the overall U.S. unemployment rate of 4%.

Both figures paint a clear picture of the uphill battle many graduates face as they enter the workforce—often armed with ambition, but met with a job market that doesn’t quite match their expectations.

But these challenges are not really new. While the workplace that graduates try to enter has undergone so many changes in recent years, the hurdles are similar and certainly remind me of the struggles that I faced after I graduated (way back when 🙂).

As my graduation with a major in electrical engineering and a minor in computer science approached, I had the gullibility to believe that right after graduating, job opportunities would be lined up for me and that within a few weeks, I’d be working with a nice salary, benefits, vacation, and other corporate perks.

Then reality hit hard. I sent out many resumes for a couple of months but only got one interview, and sadly, that didn’t go anywhere.

After a very tough stretch (that actually included owning and running a restaurant – I’ll share that story another time – I received a call from a friend about a job at Home Shopping Network in Florida, which I accepted enthusiastically and immediately. I had finally broken into the job market!

I find it troubling that college students continue to work so hard to graduate but struggle to land jobs in their fields, I’ve made a commitment to helping college graduates kick off their careers stronger than I did.

Watch the live stream where I cover this topic in depth:

As I speak with them week in and week out, here are some of the main points that I share:

1. Build on the entrepreneurial spirit of your generation and those before you

An entrepreneurial shift is clearly underway driven not just by necessity, but by purpose and ambition. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, 25.7% of university students worldwide are currently trying to start their own business, and 15.7% intend to become entrepreneurs immediately after graduation. In the U.S., the momentum is just as strong: nearly one in four young Americans (ages 18–24) are already entrepreneurs, and another 21% plan to launch a business within the next three years.

This tells us something powerful: more graduates are choosing to create their own paths rather than waiting for traditional career doors to open. They’re building solutions, chasing missions, and turning their ideas into a tangible impact, often before they even receive their diplomas.

If entrepreneurship is something you want to pursue, go for it. And don’t think you’re too young to start a business. Many young entrepreneurs have made a lasting difference (not just in Silicon Valley, but around the world). Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant at age 17.

And if you had to side-hustle during school? Those weren’t just gigs. They were proof that you already know how to solve problems people are willing to pay to fix. That’s the core of entrepreneurship.

Just remember, there are no shortcuts to success. Get-rich-quick schemes are exactly what they sound like: schemes. Instead, approach entrepreneurship with a mindset of grit, learning, and consistent action.

As a side note here: 2 of our 3 recent hires at Start Up With Feras were recent graduates, and they’re doing amazing work. The right talent, when nurtured, can thrive.

2. Don’t allow anyone, not even generational theorists, to assign a label to you

You’re a Gen Zer, so you must be entitled. Addicted to screens. Lacking resilience. Or so they say.

The problem with generational labels (thanks to generational theorists :)) is that they’re shortcuts, lazy mental categories people use to make sense of complexity.

But your career and potential can’t be boiled down to trending stereotypes or survey averages. You are not “the average Gen Z.” You are you. And your trajectory depends far more on your decisions than on your demographic.

Here’s the danger: if you internalize these narratives, they start shaping your behavior. You might limit your ambition because someone said Gen Z lacks attention span. Or you might chase “creator” roles because everyone on TikTok seems to be making money from their phone.

But chasing trends is not the same as building a career. You’re allowed to be multidimensional. You can be entrepreneurial and like stability. You can want freedom and crave mastery. You don’t have to fit into someone else’s framework.

Instead of asking, “What do people like me typically do?” start asking, “What kind of life do I want to build, and what kind of person do I need to become to build it?”

Ignore the averages. They’re irrelevant to someone aiming to be exceptional.

3. Work-life balance is a myth

The idea of perfect balance sounds appealing: equal parts work, rest, relationships, health, and time for your side hustle, all flowing harmoniously. But here’s the truth no one tells you: real progress usually comes from intentional imbalance.

When you’re building something meaningful, whether it’s a career, a business, or a new skill, there will be seasons where work demands more of you. And that’s not a failure; it’s a trade-off.

The founders, artists, and top performers we admire didn’t succeed by clocking out at 5 p.m. and perfectly portioning their lives. They succeeded by going all-in for a time, then recalibrating when necessary.

The key isn’t balance. It’s awareness and alignment. Are your current priorities aligned with where you want to go? Are you choosing your sacrifices consciously, or letting burnout sneak up on you because you’re chasing an impossible ideal?

Don’t aim for balance. Aim to manage the imbalance! Know what matters most in this season of your life, and let that guide your focus. There will be time to rest. But first, build the foundation that can eventually earn you the freedom to choose how you spend your time.

4. The economy could be the best or worst ever

Turn on the news, and you’ll hear two things: we’re on the brink of either a historic boom or a devastating crash. Depending on who’s talking, the economy is either your golden ticket or a dead end.

But here’s what rarely gets said: most of that noise doesn’t matter nearly as much as you think.

Yes, macroeconomic conditions matter. But your ability to thrive rarely hinges on the economy; it hinges on how you respond to it. Some of the most iconic companies in history (Airbnb, Uber, Microsoft) were launched during economic downturns. Countless successful careers surely started during these times as well.

Why? Because constraints often breed creativity, and volatility opens doors for those willing to move while others freeze.

If you wait for perfect economic conditions to start, you’ll be waiting forever. There will always be someone forecasting doom and someone else predicting a gold rush.

Instead, focus on building skills that are in demand regardless of the climate. Learn how to sell, solve meaningful problems, and adapt fast. These are recession-proof traits.

The economy may go up or down, but when you become the kind of person who creates value, you become your own source of opportunity.

5. Keep ahead of technology and trends

If there’s one consistent competitive edge across industries, decades, and economic cycles, it’s the ability to stay ahead of the curve. Those who understand emerging technologies early don’t just adapt to change; they shape it.

Right now, that curve is called AI. We’re living through a technological shift on par with the industrial revolution or the rise of the internet.

It’s not just a “tech thing”,; it’s an everything thing. AI is reshaping how we work, what we build, how we learn, and what employers expect. Whether you’re in marketing, design, logistics, education, or finance, literacy in AI is no longer optional.

And no, you don’t have to become a machine learning engineer. But you do need to understand how AI tools are changing your field and how to use them to your advantage. From automating repetitive tasks to accelerating research or content creation, AI can become your leverage, not your threat.

Here’s some motivation: a study by Indeed found that acquiring AI skills can boost salaries by up to 47%, with roles requiring AI expertise commanding significantly higher pay across industries. But beyond salary, it’s about relevance. The further behind you fall on today’s tech curve, the harder it is to catch up tomorrow.

Be curious. Stay adaptable. Make learning a permanent habit—because in the new economy, those who learn fastest win longest.

6. You can’t expect your work to immediately align with your purpose, but you can build your own business around your values

It’s inspiring that many graduates are looking for a job that aligns with their values. According to research by Deloitte), 86% of Gen Z say having a sense of purpose is important for their job satisfaction.

If, however, the purpose is at the top of your requirements list for a job, many hiring managers might not understand where you are coming from.

My suggestion is not to walk away from opportunities that don’t align exactly with your values. Very few things in life are black and white. Assess all aspects of any professional opening that is in front of you.

Don’t expect an employer to make a great effort to align with your values. Have high expectations of yourself, but don’t expect too much from others.

If, on the other hand, you’re starting your own business, you can make it as purpose-driven as you want. You can establish the culture you want and serve the purpose that inspires you.

I remember that when my partner and I started our very first business in web design and online marketing, we decided to avoid clients in a few industries, including adult, tobacco, and a few others. That was important to my co-founder and me. Throughout the various businesses I built, we had a similar list of no-nos. We walked away from $100,000 contracts, and never regretted it a bit.

7. Many people are ready to help

Narcissists and egoistic people aside (and they are a minority), most successful people acknowledge that they didn’t make it to the top without the help of many, many other people.

And I can tell you with certainty that they love nothing more than helping the younger generations of entrepreneurs and those seeking career advice.

Reach out, even if it feels awkward. Don’t hesitate. Use LinkedIn and other professional platforms. Leverage your network. Anyone whom you left a positive impression on, reach out to them. Attend local conferences and networking events. Tell people what you’re trying to accomplish.

Also, fight the nervousness around meeting people in person. Yes, network in person. Attend a local business conference. You’re likely to be the youngest person at that conference, but that means that you’ll stand out (in a good way). You’re not competing with 100 resumes over email; you’re making real connections with potential employers or business partners.

Whatever help you need, including emotional support, there are mentors out there who are ready to help. You just have to reach out.

8. Financial illiteracy could be devastating

Financial literacy remains a major challenge, with only 48% of U.S. adults able to correctly answer basic financial questions according to an article by Moneyzine. The gender gap is also significant; 62% of adult males are financially literate compared to just 52% of females.

Globally, the picture is even more concerning: only one in three adults is financially literate, with women, low-income individuals, and those with less education most likely to lack essential financial knowledge.

Without financial literacy, it’s far easier to fall into debt, mismanage income, or miss opportunities to build lasting wealth. And for those leaning toward entrepreneurship, understanding money becomes non-negotiable as pricing, budgeting, building reserves, and scaling all depend on it.

We’re surrounded by messages urging us to spend more and acquire more. But developing strong financial habits creates a buffer against those pressures and lays the groundwork for long-term freedom and security.

9. Do something to help others

I got the volunteering bug early on in my life – in my college days.

My volunteering efforts, and whatever impact I’ve been fortunate to be able to make through them, have been as rewarding as my personal and business achievements.

There’s something very special about helping others and supporting a cause. The reward is far greater to the giver than to the receiver.

Remember the wisdom of Ralph Wald Emerson:

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

With this, I send my best wishes for a life of purpose, impact, and fulfillment to all recent graduates.