The Right Talent Is Hard to Find
Imagine walking into your first full-time job interview, excited and nervous, only to hear employers say most young people “aren’t ready” for work.
That’s what nearly four in five hiring managers (84 %) said in a national survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and College Board.
It sounds discouraging, but it’s not the full story. The problem isn’t ability or ambition. It’s that schools and workplaces haven’t caught up to what today’s world actually demands.
Being “ready” now means more than memorizing facts. It means being adaptable, confident, and able to solve problems in real situations.
That’s the Gen Z and Alpha workforce readiness gap Pathly is helping to close.
What Employers Are Saying
The report shows that 80 % of hiring managers believe today’s graduates are less prepared than previous generations.
Why? Because jobs are changing faster than the lessons that prepare students for them.
Employers value experience and real-world learning more than ever:
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89 % say experience is more valuable than formal education
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92 % want more business courses taught in high school
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71 % think high-school grads with industry credentials are ready for work, compared to just 40 % without one
That doesn’t mean college isn’t worth it—it means experience, skills, and mindset now matter just as much.
The Skills That Really Matter
When employers describe the perfect new hire, they don’t start with grades or test scores. They talk about skills like:
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Critical thinking and problem-solving (94 %)
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Communication (90 %)
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Collaboration and decision-making (97 %)
And nearly every employer (96 %) says financial literacy—things like budgeting, saving, and understanding credit—is essential for young workers.
Soft skills are often called “human skills.” They’re how you show confidence in an interview, work through a problem with teammates, or take feedback gracefully. These aren’t small extras, they’re the core of career success.
Why Experience Is Everything
The data also proves that hands-on learning changes everything.
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46 % of hiring managers say internships are the best way to gain career skills.
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40 % point to trade or technical schools.
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78 % believe students with internship experience are ready for work right away.
Employers don’t expect you to know everything, they just want to see that you can learn, adapt, and apply what you know. Every project, volunteer role, or part-time job builds the foundation for future confidence.
Redefining What “Ready” Means
Readiness isn’t about age or a degree. It’s about having a mix of knowledge, curiosity, and real-life practice.
Employers in the study say pairing advanced courses with experiential learning—like internships or shadowing—creates the “best of both worlds”.
That’s why Pathly focuses on helping students connect what they learn in school to what actually matters at work.
Through Pathly, you can:
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Discover your personality and emotional intelligence (EQ) strengths through quick assessments.
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Explore career paths tied to your interests and values.
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Build roadmaps that link your goals with practical steps like certifications, projects, or experience.
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Use our AI chat to ask career questions and get safe, personalized advice anytime.
Closing the Gap Together
The workforce readiness gap doesn’t mean Gen Z isn’t capable—it means systems need to evolve, and students deserve better tools to prepare.
You already have the curiosity, creativity, and resilience employers want. You just need a way to show it.
Pathly helps you turn what you’re learning into real-world confidence, so when opportunity knocks, you’re ready to say, “I’ve got this.”
