New Study Reveals Why Companies Are Rapidly Firing Gen Z Employees

A new study has shed light on the tough reality facing college graduates in today’s job market.

If you’ve graduated in the past decade, you probably already know how difficult it can be to land that first real job.

According to recent data, as of last year, it was taking the average college graduate about six months to secure a position in the current job climate.

However, what’s even more concerning is that many members of Gen Z—those born between 1996 and 2010—are not just struggling to get hired but also struggling to keep their jobs once they do.

A study released recently surveyed nearly 1,000 business leaders in August. The findings were pretty damning. 

Over half of the employers surveyed admitted they had already fired some of the college graduates they hired in 2024.

Many companies are firing college graduates within a year of hiring them Getty Stock

This troubling trend has led one in seven employers to consider not hiring graduates at all in 2025.

Huy Nguyen, Chief Education and Career Development Advisor at Intelligent, explained the situation in a report shared by 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 continued, "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."

Out of the 1,000 employers who participated in the study, a striking 75 percent reported that some or all of their recent college hires were unsatisfactory. 

The top reasons given were lack of motivation, poor communication skills, and a lack of professionalism.

Interestingly, employers aren’t placing the blame squarely on the graduates themselves. Many are pointing fingers at the U.S. education system.

HR consultant Bryan Driscoll, speaking to Newsweek, shared his own perspective, saying: 

Some people have argued colleges aren't preparing students for the workplace Getty Stock

"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."

He added, "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."

These concerns are echoed by students themselves. Figures from 2023 show that nearly half of students didn’t feel their degrees equipped them with the right skills for the workforce, according to FE News.

In fact, an additional 20 percent said they would have found practical work experience more beneficial than their degrees.

It’s clear from this study that something isn’t adding up between college education and the skills needed in the workplace.

Employers and graduates alike are feeling the effects, and unless things change, we could see an even greater divide between academic theory and the demands of the professional world.