When millennials were starting their careers, life was simpler—no work-from-home, no Instagram pressure, and no constant comparison with strangers online. They sent out resumes, went to interviews in person, and learned things by doing.

Now, look at Gen Z’s journey. Many of them are starting work from their bedrooms, learning job skills on YouTube, and feeling lost despite having tons of information.So, why are Gen Z people struggling more than millennials?

What’s Holding Gen Z Back Compared to Millennials?

1. Wanting Success Too Quickly

A lot of Gen Z people believe they should be rich, famous, or successful by 25. Social media shows people their age starting businesses, traveling the world, and making money online.

But real life takes time. Millennials, on the other hand, were more okay with slow progress. Gen Z often gets disappointed and anxious if success doesn’t come quickly, and that leads to job-hopping or quitting early.

2. Digital Skills, But Missing Real-Life Experience

Gen Z grew up with phones, laptops, and the internet. They're great with tech, but many missed out on face-to-face office experiences because of the pandemic. No internships. No in-person mentors. No “learning by seeing.”

Millennials had that. They built people skills and learned how to behave in professional settings by being there. Gen Z sometimes struggles in this area—not because they’re not smart, but because they just didn’t get the same chance.

3. Career Goals Influenced by Social Media

Instead of talking to teachers, parents, or real-life professionals, many Gen Z people follow influencers or online creators for career advice. But what looks cool online isn’t always easy in real life.

Someone might dream of being a YouTuber or a startup founder without knowing the risks, effort, or financial ups and downs involved. Millennials didn’t have this problem as much—they looked around in the real world for ideas.

4. Job-Hopping Without Learning Enough

Gen Z values purpose and growth, which is great. But sometimes, they fall into the trap of job hopping—moving from one job to another too fast—before they’ve had the chance to really learn something.

They often leave when they’re bored, stressed, or feel the job isn’t perfect.

Millennials also changed jobs, but usually after spending enough time learning and growing in one role. Gen Z needs to give things a little more time to understand what works and what doesn’t, instead of switching too quickly.

5. Mental Health Struggles and Career Pressure

Gen Z is open about mental health, which is a big positive. But many also feel anxious, stressed, or unsure about their future. They’ve grown up in a world with constant bad news, global competition, and economic uncertainty.

This makes it harder to stay focused on building a career. If something doesn’t feel right, they back out quickly—not because they’re lazy, but because they feel overwhelmed.


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6. Work-Life Balance: Wanting Comfort Too Early

Gen Z cares a lot about work-life balance. That’s healthy. But sometimes it leads to confusion between balance and comfort.

Some expect flexible hours, remote work, and easy workloads from the start—even in tough industries.

Millennials had to adjust to the system and slowly change it. Gen Z often wants change now. But career growth sometimes needs patience, effort, and uncomfortable learning experiences.

7. Struggles with Soft Skills

Soft skills like communication, time management, and teamwork are super important at work. Gen Z is amazing with tools and apps, but often needs help with these human skills. Because many started their careers remotely, they didn’t get to learn by watching how others behave at work.

Millennials did—through meetings, conversations, and face-to-face guidance. This helped them grow faster and smoother in the workplace.

8. Confused by Too Many Choices

Gen Z has access to endless options—courses, careers, and job paths—which often leaves them overwhelmed. This leads to decision fatigue, where they keep switching directions, hoping for something better.

Millennials had fewer choices, so they focused more. Gen Z's freedom, while exciting, can slow down real progress.

9. Lack of Mentorship in the Workplace

Many Gen Z people enter jobs without proper mentors to guide them. With the rise of remote work and hybrid offices, casual conversations and learning through observation have become rare.

Millennials often had mentors they could meet in person, ask questions, or shadow at work. Without someone to show them the ropes, Gen Z employees can feel lost, unsupported, and unsure how to grow—leading to lower confidence and missed opportunities.

10. Economic Instability and Global Uncertainty

Gen Z is stepping into adulthood during a time of financial crises, layoffs, inflation, and global uncertainty. Millennials faced the 2008 recession, but they were already in the workforce by then. Gen Z, however, is starting their careers in unstable times—making it harder to take risks or feel secure in any job.

This uncertainty often causes fear and hesitation, leading many to play it safe or feel stuck instead of moving forward confidently.

11. Rising Pressure to “Stand Out”

Thanks to platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Gen Z constantly sees peers showcasing achievements, skills, side hustles, or personal brands.

There’s a growing belief that being “average” is not enough—you must stand out to succeed. This pressure to be unique at a young age can lead to burnout, self-doubt, or feeling like a failure if things don’t take off fast. Millennials didn’t grow up with this kind of digital comparison, which made their early career years feel less competitive.

12. Education Not Matching Industry Needs

What Gen Z learns in college often doesn’t match the skills employers want. While they graduate with degrees, they may not have hands-on training or the industry know-how companies expect. This gap between academic knowledge and real-world demands creates confusion and frustration.

Millennials also faced this problem but had more time and patience to catch up. Gen Z expects faster results, which makes the disconnect feel sharper and more discouraging.

Conclusion

Yes, Gen Z’s face real challenges. But they also have strengths—tech skills, creativity, and openness about mental health. With the right guidance and time, they can build amazing careers too.

SetMyCareer is here to guide you along your career goals. Whether you’re feeling lost, unsure about your path, or just need someone to talk to—we’re here to help you make confident career choices. Reach out to us today.