Why Gen Z Struggles at Work — 3 Strategies for Success

Stories of Change & Creativity

Why are companies firing Gen Z employees — and what can be done to help them succeed?

In August, I attended the 2025 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication conference in San Francisco.

My colleague, Dr. Nandini Bhalla of Texas State University, led a stellar panel titled “Why are companies firing Gen Z employees? Workforce Strategies and Solutions for PR’s Next Generation.”

The panel featured an all-star lineup of experts:

• Caitlin Haskins – Vice President of AI, Big Data & Cloud at 10Fold Communications
• Michelle Galey – Washington State University
• Jeffrey Ranta – Coastal Carolina University
• Caitlin Cieslik-Miskimen – University of Idaho
• Moderator - Nandini Bhalla, Texas State University

After the panel, I pulled out my iPhone and asked Caitlin Haskins a couple of questions about what she sees in the workplace. In this short interview, Caitlin shared practical strategies that every Gen Z professional can use to thrive in today’s workplace. The AEJMC Public Relations Division co-sponsored this panel with the Internships & Careers Interest Group.

Caitlin's tips are clear and actionable. Listeners will walk away with 3 strategies they can use immediately.

• Reliability — show up, meet deadlines, and build trust
• Proactive communication — keep projects and teams aligned
• Growth mindset — turn feedback into a tool for long-term success

You can learn more about Caitlin Haskins from her LinkedIn profile and in this Ragan PR Daily article.

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Check out my TEDx talk. Why you should take action - then figure it out.

Chapters

1. Gen Z Job Struggles Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Higher Stakes in Workplace vs School (00:01:38)

3. Communication and Feedback Issues (00:02:45)

4. Growth Mindset Importance (00:04:01)

5. Initiative Through Asking Questions (00:06:00)

6. Three Key Strategies for Success (00:07:30)