For Gen Z, the entry-level career ladder is getting steeper by the month—and there’s no sign of it letting up. Unemployment among recent grads has climbed to 5.8% (the highest since 2013, excluding the pandemic) as companies rethink hiring amid AI-driven productivity gains.
The pressure is already forcing young people to rethink what it takes to stand out—especially in fields where six-figure pay once felt like a given. But for those aiming for Wall Street, one Goldman Sachs executive has a blunt message for young professionals trying to get ahead: Know what you bring to the table.
