Overcoming the 5 Common Job Barriers for Young Adults

As parents, watching your children transition into adulthood can be both exhilarating and daunting. We want to see them flourish in their careers and lead successful lives, but navigating today’s job market can present various challenges.

From financial hurdles to lack of career readiness, young adults (ages 18 to 24) often face barriers that can hinder their professional growth. In this blog post, we'll explore the five most common job barriers for young adults and how to overcome them. 

1) Mental Health Challenges:

No doubt the transition from adolescence to “adulting” can be overwhelming for many. Consequently more than 1 in 3 young people now report having no income as the rate of depression has risen amongst this recently dubbed “disconnected youth” group, according to a recent study. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or stress can significantly impact young adults' ability to focus on their job search and perform well in interviews or on-the-job. 

Never underestimate the power of a job to bring you a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Continue to encourage your child to apply for jobs while they also prioritize their mental health and well-being. Encourage them to seek support from mental health professionals or support groups if needed. Additionally, help them develop coping strategies such as mindfulness, exercise, or journaling to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

2) Economic Uncertainty:

In today's competitive–and fluctuating–job market, young adults face difficulty finding suitable employment opportunities with a livable age, especially if they lack experience or specialized skills. It doesn’t help that hiring and wage growth has slowed significantly since 2021 and 2022 as Americans are facing a “trapped in place” economy.

To mitigate the effects of economic uncertainty, encourage your child to adopt a proactive approach to their career development. This means building skills in-demand by employers, staying adaptable, exploring emerging industries with growth potential. A great way to do this is by seeking internships, volunteer opportunities, or part-time jobs related to their field of interest. Keep an open mind! Additionally, staying updated on college news and industry trends, like with uThrive Academy, can help identify emerging job opportunities and guide their career decisions.

3) Lack of Soft and Interpersonal Skills:

Many young adults struggle with transitioning from the structured environment of education to the dynamic world of work and responsibility. They may lack essential soft skills such as communication, time management, conflict resolution, or problem-solving, making it challenging to secure employment. In fact, 3 in 10 hiring managers say they avoid hiring Gen Zers for these very reasons. 

To address this barrier, encourage your child to seek out career readiness programs, like our robust online course, which offers valuable resources and guidance on resume building, interview preparation, workplace etiquette, and more. Also, practice makes perfect, so encourage them to seek opportunities to develop their skills and network with professionals, which can enhance their confidence in pursuing their career goals.

4) Major Skill Mismatch

The skills gap between what employers demand and what young people study is playing a significant role in creating barriers for young adults entering the job market. Two-thirds of U.S. jobs currently don’t require a degree, and half of college graduates are taking them, leading to underemployment. Is it any wonder that Gen Zers are increasingly not seeing the value in higher education anymore?

It’s crucial to get your child personalized career counseling, which we’re planning to offer, to navigate the numerous career options and align it with an in-demand occupation that pays a livable wage. While traditional college education remains a popular choice for many young adults, it's not always accessible or feasible for everyone, and it’s certainly not the only way to be successful. Check out our free complete career planning guide on our homepage to kickstart your planning, which is a part of our comprehensive online course. 

5) Financial Hurdles:

Finances are often a significant barrier for young adults seeking to kickstart their careers. Whether it's student loan debt, lack of savings, or the high cost of living, financial constraints can hinder their ability to pursue career opportunities. And being underemployed and underpaid is not helping!

To overcome this barrier, encourage your child to prioritize learning personal financial literacy NOW to get ahead and start building wealth. The key is starting early. Even if they make a livable wage, if they don’t know how to manage their finances wisely, they could still end up financially unstable. 

In conclusion, while young adults may encounter various job barriers as they enter the workforce, there are strategies and resources available to help them overcome these challenges. By investing in career readiness and financial literacy skills, you can help your child with the difficult transition into adulthood. 

We see these as interconnected issues and therefore created a 2-for-1 online master course Getting Ahead: A Roadmap to Career Clarity & Financial Freedom to teach career readiness and financial literacy - all in 6 bite-sized modules. Check it out below!