Where Do We Begin? Helping Young Adults Navigate a Changing Job Landscape

I’ve been reflecting on two recent New York Times opinion pieces that, together, tell different parts of a troubling story about what it’s like for young adults trying to enter today’s workforce.

One, by Aneesh Raman (I’m a LinkedIn Executive. I See the Bottom Rung of the Career Ladder Breaking), explores how AI and technology are reshaping the job market—making it harder to find truly accessible “early career” roles. And in We are the most rejected generation, David Brooks, captures the emotional toll this environment is taking on young people.

As both a coach and a parent, I hear and feel these stories every week. Smart, motivated graduates send hundreds of applications into the digital void. They’re told to “get experience”—but “entry-level” jobs now often require one to two years of it. They’re eager to contribute, but too often feel invisible.

These aren’t isolated frustrations. They’re signals of a system in transition.

The Vanishing On-Ramp

Employers understandably want candidates who can hit the ground running. But if few jobs truly welcome first-time talent, the career ladder starts with missing rungs. Raman calls this “a lost generation of workers without on-ramps.” Brooks refers to “the seventh circle of Indeed hell.”

The result? Early-career professionals are stuck. The road forward feels unclear. And resilience is being tested before it’s had a chance to fully develop.

This isn’t just their problem—it’s ours.

If we don’t help this generation gain a foothold, we risk future leadership gaps, loss of innovation, and an erosion of intergenerational progress. We also miss the spark and energy that young professionals bring to organizations, teams, and society.

So What Can We Do?

For Employers, Educators, and Communities:

• Redefine what “entry-level” really means.

• Open internships and fellowships to recent grads—not just current students.

• Close the loop. Ghosting candidates, especially after interviews, is disheartening and erodes trust.

• Partner with universities and local organizations to create internships, fellowships, and micro-projects that bridge the gap.

• Hire for potential. Skills can be taught. Curiosity, drive, and adaptability are long-term assets.

For Young Job Seekers: This moment is hard—and you're not imagining it. But I’ve seen clients move forward by tapping into a deeper, more grounded form of resilience. Not grit-for-grit’s-sake—but the ability to learn, adapt, and stay open when the path is nonlinear. Here's what helps:

• Build experience creatively. Volunteer, take on a freelance project, or support a research initiative. One client landed four job offers after nine months of strategic volunteering, outreach, and persistence.

• Reframe networking. Think of it as building professional friendships. Approach it with curiosity, not just need.

• Keep learning. Platforms like Coursera, YouTube, and LinkedIn Learning make it easier than ever to build job-relevant skills.

• Clarify your story. Know what you’re good at—and what energizes you. Simple truths like “I’m the person who organizes people” or “I thrive under pressure” create connection.

• Use your voice. Share insights on LinkedIn or reflect on a current trend. You’re not just “job searching"—you’re showing up in the world.

• Stay open. Your first job won’t define your entire career—but it will teach you valuable lessons, grow your network, and reveal your path, one step at a time.

We’re at a generational inflection point. The traditional on-ramps to work are fraying—but the desire to contribute has never been stronger.

Let’s not ask young people to navigate this alone. Let’s build better bridges—for them, and for all of us.
Think about how you can support this new generation in finding their place in the work world. A conversation. An introduction. A chance. It matters.

Esther Saidman is a coach who helps people navigate career inflection points with clarity, purpose, and confidence. From early-career launches to late-career reinventions, she partners with clients to design meaningful next steps—and to move forward with resilience. Learn more at EstherCoaches.com.