Generation Z workers are facing a major lack of confidence in their careers, with 1 in 3 reporting overwhelming uncertainty about their future, mental health, work-life balance and finances, according to a Sept. 9 report from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and The Harris Poll.
Notably, young workers said they feel isolated and hesitate to seek advice, with 74% saying they lack access to the type of mentorship that could improve their career confidence.
“Despite having the highest educational achievement rates in history, our youth are facing a confidence crisis,” Libby Rodney, chief strategy officer at The Harris Poll, said in a statement. “This isn’t about work ethic — it’s about a generation that needs guidance.”
In a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults between ages 18-25, only 41% said they feel confident about navigating the job market, which drops significantly among those without mentorship.
Overall, Gen Z workers said they don’t know where to turn for guidance, feel uncomfortable reaching out to others, and worry they’ll burden other busy adults.
However, 84% said mentorship opens the doors to possibilities they wouldn’t have seen on their own, and 83% said a mentor can bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world success.
When asked what they desire in a mentor, young workers highlighted soft skills such as communication, empathy and honesty, which all ranked higher than professional success or industry expertise.
“Mentorship rooted in durable and soft skills is a true game-changer,” Ginneh Baugh, chief impact officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, said in a statement. “When young people have mentors who model durable skills like empathy, honesty, communication and resilience, they gain the confidence to overcome challenges and thrive — not just in their careers, but in every aspect of their lives.”
After growing up in a world of rapid change, Gen Z workers may be floundering as they enter the labor market, experts told HR Dive. To help struggling employees, HR pros can use strong onboarding to strengthen culture, belonging and understanding of job expectations.
Learning and development benefits can help, too, with half of Gen Z workers saying they want “growth mindset” roles that offer personal development opportunities, according to a Flexa report. More job postings have mentioned mentorship, coaching and study sabbaticals since early 2025, the report found.
