Experts stress social skills as Gen Z enters the workforce

Flexibility and a higher purpose. As a young worker, these are two qualities Bass Pro Shops Digital Creative Designer Alex Gaebler said she values in a job.

“Those are the big factors,” she said. “Flexibility, what I’m passionate about and if it aligns with the company’s values.” 

She isn’t alone. Millennial and Gen Z workers consider flexibility and work-life balance to be their top priorities when searching for jobs, according to a report by Bank of America and Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business that surveyed workers ages 24-35. 

But in the U.S., McKinsey & Co. noted the lack of workplace experience is one of the biggest barriers to entry for young workers. And although the unemployment rate of young workers, which currently sits at 7.9% according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, is at a record low in recent history, the youth employment rate is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, when people of all ages lost their jobs, and the workforce was dramatically changed by remote working.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, although young workers account for only 13.5% of the workforce, they make up over a quarter of all unemployed workers. When it comes to hiring young people, Tracy McGrady, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at Ozark Technical Community College, said it’s been a struggle.

“I think most industries are having a tough time with it,” she said. “I don’t know any that feel as if they’re able to find enough of a skilled workforce, especially among this population of students.”

To help fill in the gaps, Springfield’s higher education programs and large local employers aim to guide and prepare young workers, hoping to teach them the necessary skills to successfully enter the workforce. With a focus on socialization and keeping local talent within Springfield, recruiters and young workers note the different trends in the industry – more in-person work and the rise of digital skillsets – while also focusing on the job qualities like flexibility and a higher purpose.

Moving to Springfield from Poplar Bluff, Gaebler said it was her dream to work for Bass Pro Shops. Much of this had to do with the company’s mission and higher purpose.

“Here at Bass Pro, it’s all about conservation,” she said. “It helps when you are passionate about the things you are working on.”

COVID aftermath
Margie Stewart, associate director of employer engagement at Missouri State University, said some industries are still seeing the impacts of the pandemic and its influence on the workforce, especially young workers who came of age during the isolation of COVID.

“COVID disrupted the job market, and even the way employees see work,” she said.

McGrady said she has noticed behavioral issues in students that did not exist as often prior to COVID.

“They are, at times, much more eager to challenge authority, much more eager to question why they’re having to do a particular assignment,” McGrady said. “That’s been something we’ve had to adapt to.”

McGrady noted that not all students behave this way, adding 95% of OTC students will either find jobs in the workforce or transfer to a different higher education program after finishing community college. However, she said behavioral issues are a growing problem she and OTC faculty have seen. As part of preparation for the workforce, she said the goal is to help students understand when they’re crossing a line.

“We’ve had to think about how we approach students and help them understand professional preparedness,” she said. “How do you help them understand, ‘Hey, that’s not always going to fly whenever you speak to an authority figure.’”

Gaebler also said she’s seen a gap in the communication skills of younger generations due to the rise of technology, even before COVID happened.

“A lot of it has to do with how we communicate from such a young age,” she said. “COVID didn’t help with this, but if we are not developing proper communication skills as we are growing, then it is much harder to function in teams and corporate roles as we start out our careers.”

Social skills are key in the workforce and are valued heavily in all industries. With in-person work becoming more prevalent and only 11% of Gen Z workers saying they’d prefer remote working, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the emphasis on social interactions may put younger workers at a disadvantage.

“Those skills of communication and critical thinking are going to play a big role, and they can be used in any environment,” Stewart said. “I think more and more employers are looking for those skills, regardless of major.”

With a job or continuing education placement rate ranging from 88% to 90%, Stewart said MSU focuses on building social and networking skills through hosting career fairs, such as Sample Springfield, an annual event allowing students to meet with local businesses and employers. One large employer is O’Reilly Auto Parts, and Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Training Shari Reaves highlighted social behaviors as being a big part of the job.

“Our culture is built on behaviors any individual has no matter what area they work in,” she said. “Respect, honesty, customer service – those values really resonate with younger individuals who are entering the job market.”

Filling in the gaps
Understanding the pressures young people face in the workforce, Hannah Vanderpool, an early talent recruiter and program lead at Bass Pro Shops, said she created 417 Next Early Talent, an association of about a dozen large employers in the Springfield area, including Bass Pro Shops, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Forvis Mazars. Gathering quarterly, Vanderpool said the purpose of the association is to talk about the trends in the early talent sector.

“We share,” she said. “It’s a very open and collaborative space. In April, when we met, we invited seven local colleges. We had a very open dialogue on bridging the gap between campus and corporate. The whole purpose of 417NET is to attract talent and retain local talent.”

With MSU as a member of the association, Stewart emphasized the importance of keeping local talent within the 417 area.

“The goal is to keep Springfield people in Springfield,” she said. “I’m seeing a lot more local business coming on board for creating a stronger workforce from university into Springfield.”