Class of 2025: Five Potential Challenges Facing Early Career Professionals--and How to Overcome Them
Robert Half (RHI) has released new research highlighting key challenges facing the Class of 2025 as they enter the workforce. The survey of 1,000 U.S. professionals identified five main early-career obstacles:
- mentorship opportunities (45% of respondents)
- Difficulty managing workloads (39%)
- Insufficient onboarding (36%)
- Lack of internship experience (35%)
- Skills gap concerns (34%)
To address these challenges, Robert Half recommends early career professionals focus on gaining real-world experience through internships and apprenticeships, connecting with mentors, pursuing continuous learning opportunities, and developing effective communication skills. Dawn Fay, operational president at Robert Half, emphasizes the importance of intentionality and viewing first jobs as foundation-building opportunities rather than just sources of income.
Robert Half (RHI) ha pubblicato una nuova ricerca che evidenzia le principali sfide che affronta la Classe del 2025 mentre entra nel mondo del lavoro. Il sondaggio condotto su 1.000 professionisti statunitensi ha identificato cinque principali ostacoli all'inizio della carriera:
- opportunità di mentorship (45% dei rispondenti)
- Difficoltà nella gestione dei carichi di lavoro (39%)
- Onboarding insufficiente (36%)
- Mancanza di esperienza di tirocinio (35%)
- Preoccupazioni riguardanti il divario di competenze (34%)
Per affrontare queste sfide, Robert Half raccomanda ai professionisti all'inizio della carriera di concentrarsi sull'acquisizione di esperienza pratica attraverso tirocini e apprendistati, connettersi con mentori, perseguire opportunità di apprendimento continuo e sviluppare abilità comunicative efficaci. Dawn Fay, presidente operativo di Robert Half, sottolinea l'importanza dell'intenzionalità e di considerare i primi lavori come opportunità per costruire una base piuttosto che semplici fonti di reddito.
Robert Half (RHI) ha publicado una nueva investigación que destaca los principales desafíos que enfrenta la Clase del 2025 al ingresar al mercado laboral. La encuesta realizada a 1,000 profesionales en EE. UU. identificó cinco obstáculos principales al inicio de la carrera:
- oportunidades de mentoría (45% de los encuestados)
- Dificultad para gestionar cargas de trabajo (39%)
- Onboarding insuficiente (36%)
- Falta de experiencia en prácticas (35%)
- Preocupaciones sobre la brecha de habilidades (34%)
Para abordar estos desafíos, Robert Half recomienda a los profesionales en las primeras etapas de su carrera que se enfoquen en adquirir experiencia en el mundo real a través de prácticas y aprendizajes, conectarse con mentores, buscar oportunidades de aprendizaje continuo y desarrollar habilidades de comunicación efectivas. Dawn Fay, presidenta operativa de Robert Half, enfatiza la importancia de la intencionalidad y de ver los primeros trabajos como oportunidades para construir una base en lugar de simples fuentes de ingresos.
로버트 하프 (RHI)는 2025년 졸업생들이 노동 시장에 진입하면서 직면하는 주요 도전 과제를 강조하는 새로운 연구 결과를 발표했습니다. 미국의 1,000명의 전문가를 대상으로 한 설문조사는 초기 경력에서의 다섯 가지 주요 장애물을 확인했습니다:
- 멘토링 기회 (응답자의 45%)
- 업무량 관리의 어려움 (39%)
- 불충분한 온보딩 (36%)
- 인턴 경험 부족 (35%)
- 기술 격차 우려 (34%)
이러한 도전 과제를 해결하기 위해 로버트 하프는 초기 경력 전문가들이 인턴십과 견습을 통해 실제 경험을 쌓고, 멘토와 연결되며, 지속적인 학습 기회를 추구하고, 효과적인 의사소통 능력을 개발하는 데 집중할 것을 권장합니다. 로버트 하프의 운영 사장인 Dawn Fay는 첫 직업을 단순한 수입원이 아니라 기초를 다지는 기회로 바라보는 의도성의 중요성을 강조합니다.
Robert Half (RHI) a publié une nouvelle recherche mettant en lumière les principaux défis auxquels la promotion de 2025 est confrontée en entrant sur le marché du travail. L'enquête menée auprès de 1 000 professionnels américains a identifié cinq obstacles majeurs au début de carrière :
- opportunités de mentorat (45 % des répondants)
- Difficulté à gérer les charges de travail (39 %)
- Intégration insuffisante (36 %)
- Manque d'expérience de stage (35 %)
- Préoccupations concernant le fossé des compétences (34 %)
Pour relever ces défis, Robert Half recommande aux professionnels en début de carrière de se concentrer sur l'acquisition d'une expérience concrète à travers des stages et des apprentissages, de se connecter avec des mentors, de poursuivre des opportunités d'apprentissage continu et de développer des compétences en communication efficaces. Dawn Fay, présidente opérationnelle de Robert Half, souligne l'importance de l'intentionnalité et de considérer les premiers emplois comme des opportunités de construction de fondations plutôt que comme de simples sources de revenus.
Robert Half (RHI) hat eine neue Studie veröffentlicht, die die wichtigsten Herausforderungen hervorhebt, mit denen die Klasse von 2025 beim Eintritt in die Arbeitswelt konfrontiert ist. Die Umfrage unter 1.000 US-Professionals identifizierte fünf Hauptschwierigkeiten zu Beginn der Karriere:
- Mentoring-Möglichkeiten (45% der Befragten)
- Schwierigkeiten bei der Arbeitslastverwaltung (39%)
- Unzureichende Einarbeitung (36%)
- Mangel an Praktikumserfahrung (35%)
- Bedenken hinsichtlich der Kompetenzlücke (34%)
Um diese Herausforderungen zu bewältigen, empfiehlt Robert Half den Berufseinsteigern, sich auf den Erwerb praktischer Erfahrungen durch Praktika und Ausbildungsstellen zu konzentrieren, sich mit Mentoren zu vernetzen, kontinuierliche Lernmöglichkeiten zu verfolgen und effektive Kommunikationsfähigkeiten zu entwickeln. Dawn Fay, operative Präsidentin von Robert Half, betont die Bedeutung von Intention und die Sichtweise, erste Jobs als Chancen zum Fundamentaufbau und nicht nur als Einkommensquellen zu betrachten.
- Company demonstrates thought leadership in workforce trends and talent solutions
- Research-based insights strengthen RHI's position as an authority in employment market
- None.
In a survey of nearly 1,000
- Limited mentorship opportunities:
45% said they lacked a mentor to help guide them. - Support managing workloads:
39% struggled with prioritizing tasks and managing workloads. - Insufficient onboarding:
36% felt unprepared due to inadequate onboarding and training. - Lack of internship experience:
35% entered the workforce without an internship or other relevant work experience. - Skills gap:
34% felt that they couldn't make an immediate impact with the skills they possessed.
"Launching a career can feel overwhelming, but new professionals can set themselves up for success by being prepared and asking the right questions," said Dawn Fay, operational president with Robert Half. "Your first job isn't just about a paycheck – it's about building a strong foundation and fostering a productive relationship with your employer that will pave the way for future growth."
How to Thrive in Your Early Career
The Class of 2025 faces a unique job market marked by rapid change and uncertainty. To navigate these challenges and build a strong foundation for career success, Robert Half offers the following tips for early career professionals:
- Prioritize real-world experience. Pursuing internships, apprenticeship programs, or contract work can provide valuable hands-on experience, enhance your skill set and give you a competitive advantage in the job market.
- Connect with a mentor. Building relationships with experienced professionals—through networking events, alumni networks or personal connections—can offer valuable guidance, boost confidence, and help navigate career challenges with clarity and support.
- Prioritize continuous learning. Pursuing professional development opportunities, seeking training and certification for in demand skills, and stepping up to take on new projects can help build expertise and increase career marketability.
- Communicate effectively. Understanding workplace expectations, seeking feedback and knowing when to ask for support can improve productivity and help foster strong working relationships.
"Taking steps toward building a successful career should begin long before your first day on the job," Fay said. "For those just starting out, intentionality is key. By prioritizing mentorship, embracing continuous learning and sharpening your skills, you not only build confidence but also lay a solid foundation for long-term growth."
About the Research
The online survey was developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm in March 2025. It includes responses from nearly 1,000 workers 18 years and older in the
About Robert Half
Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We offer contract talent and permanent placement solutions in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support, and we also provide executive search services. Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. In the past 12 months, Robert Half, including Protiviti, has been named one of the Fortune® Most Admired Companies™ and 100 Best Companies to Work For. Explore talent solutions, research and insights at roberthalf.com.
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SOURCE Robert Half
FAQ
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