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Today’s young adults are stepping into a workplace that looks nothing like the one their parents knew. Career paths and definitions of success have shifted, reshaped by digital overload, global uncertainty, and a rising sense of isolation.
As a developmental psychologist and coach for young adults, I’ve seen these challenges from many angles—through research on motivation and learning, guiding families, and supporting my own teen (now young adult) through a difficult journey. This blend of experiences has given me a deep understanding of what young employees face today.
Traditional early-career worries—like choosing the right path or building financial stability—now sit alongside modern concerns. Navigating remote work culture, managing financial stress in a turbulent economy, and coping with feelings of disconnection add new layers of complexity.
For young professionals, this means forging their professional identity and independence in a landscape with fewer in-person connections and support than past generations had. It's no small task, but understanding these realities can help us better support them as they take on these challenges.
Young adult mental health
The impact of these challenges is evident in the data: a recent UN/WHO report found that one in seven young people struggle with mental health conditions, with anxiety and depression leading the way.
Gen Z reports significantly lower workplace psychological safety than other generations, with 63% feeling less confident expressing their opinions. Perhaps most concerning, access to mental health support remains unavailable for many.
Many young people feel a lot of fear about the future, unsure about their place and ability to navigate the uncertainty of the world. There’s a lot of “Will I be able to do this? Do I belong here?” and consuming anxiety about moving through life.
For organizations looking to support their young talent, coaching offers a practical solution that addresses individual wellbeing and professional development needs.
The power of coaching for young people
Coaching offers something unique for young professionals, a bridge between potential and success. While therapy focuses on processing emotions and treating mental health conditions, coaching emphasizes practical, forward-moving support, which is what I love about it.
Coaching helps young adults assess their situation, clarify their goals, and develop concrete strategies. This distinction matters because many young people are seeking both emotional support and practical guidance in crafting meaningful careers and authentic lives.
Through coaching, we can help young adults move beyond the paths they think they "should" take to discover what energizes them. This journey combines deep internal work—exploring values, aspirations, and authentic self-expression—with practical skill-building in communication, routine-setting, and professional relationship management.
Coaching nurtures a growth mindset, helping young professionals reframe early career challenges from sources of anxiety into opportunities for development. They learn that not knowing everything is okay—what matters is their capacity to learn, adapt, and grow.
Let’s dig into more specifics about how coaching can make a difference.
Financial concerns are a heavy challenge
Financial anxiety weighs heavily on today's young workers. A recent survey reveals a generation that feels "on edge, lonely, unmoored, and directionless," with financial security ranking among their top concerns.
As a coach, I hear the worry in both young adults' voices as they ask, "Will I be able to support myself?" Young adults are more likely than older adults to feel consumed by money worries.
This anxiety is about both immediate needs and building a secure future. Many young people are encountering complex financial decisions for the first time: Should they contribute to a retirement fund? How do they balance student loan payments with saving? What about health insurance costs or planning for major purchases? These questions can feel overwhelming without guidance.
So we start with foundational skills like budgeting and understanding workplace benefits, then progress to longer-term financial planning. Young people are often hungry for this concrete knowledge as it provides tangible steps toward security and independence.
Building resilience and professional confidence
The transition to professional life brings unique challenges, particularly around confidence and independence.
As a coach, I offer accountability and guidance while validating the normalcy of first-job challenges. We work together to build confidence through practical experience, helping them learn to read workplace culture, identify appropriate moments for initiative, and develop their own professional judgment.
This becomes especially important when they face workplace challenges, often for the first time.
For instance, I've worked with several young adults on performance improvement plans whose confidence has been shaken. We develop specific strategies for maintaining professionalism while rebuilding confidence—everything from visualization techniques for difficult meetings to practical tools like keeping water nearby as a grounding technique during stressful situations.
Through these tools and consistent support, they are able to develop the resilience and self-assurance needed for long-term career success. Most importantly, they learn that early career struggles are normal and navigable with the right foundation in place.
Breaking the scrolling cycle
The relationship between social media and mental health presents a particular challenge for young people. In my work, I've observed a common pattern: anxiety triggers scrolling behavior, which leads to lost productivity, which then creates more anxiety. Sound familiar? It's a self-perpetuating cycle that many of us recognize as harmful but struggle to break.
Instead of advocating for a complete digital detox, which is often unrealistic, I help young adults develop intentional relationships with technology. The cornerstone of this approach is what I call the daily five, a concrete list of wellness activities that anchor each day in healthy habits rather than reactive stress scrolling.
These are simple, achievable actions:
- Drinking more water
- Stepping outside for fresh air
- Taking movement breaks
- Having a meaningful conversation with a friend
The power lies in their consistency and in how they naturally interrupt unconscious phone use patterns.
We pay particular attention to transition times—early mornings and late nights when scrolling often becomes automatic. For instance, keeping an adult coloring book on the nightstand instead of a phone or using meditation apps rather than social media before bed. The goal isn't to demonize technology but to remake it from a source of anxiety into a tool for growth.
Building connection is key to growth
The transition from the built-in social networks of school to the professional world often leaves young adults feeling profoundly lonely. This isolation is commonly about navigating an entirely new social landscape while adapting to the demands of full-time work.
Many young professionals find themselves in "survival mode," so focused on managing their workload that they neglect their social needs.
As a coach, I help them analyze the root causes of their disconnection. Are they too exhausted after work to maintain relationships? Are they struggling to find common ground with colleagues? Understanding these patterns is the first step toward changing them.
The solution usually lies in intentional community building. We start by identifying their people—the core relationships they want to nurture—and then create sustainable strategies for connection.
Just as importantly, we work on developing their identity beyond work. This could involve:
- Exploring volunteer opportunities that align with personal values
- Finding recreational activities that offer both enjoyment and social connection
- Discovering hobbies that provide fulfillment outside of work
- Building a community that feels authentic and meaningful
The goal is to help young professionals create a rich, multi-faceted life where their sense of self and wellbeing isn't solely tied to their job performance. By building these diverse connections and interests, they develop resilience that serves them both personally and professionally.
Practical steps to offering support
In my experience, young adults thrive when they have someone in their corner to give them reassurance, guidance, and feedback.
A skilled coach acts as a trusted guide, offering support and accountability that helps them grow into confident leaders. Ready to create this kind of growth in your organization? Here's a roadmap to get you started:
Specialized Coaching and Mental Health Support
- Offer access to coaches who understand young adult development
- Focus on both practical skills and emotional intelligence
- Include parent support resources for employees with young adult children
- Integrate quality mental health support
Structured Mentorship Programs
- Pair young employees with experienced mentors who can provide ongoing guidance
- Create clear frameworks for mentor-mentee relationships
- Provide training and support for mentors
Psychological Safety
- Foster an environment where questions are welcomed
- Celebrate learning and growth
- Recognize and value young employees' contributions
- Create safe spaces for skill development
Comprehensive Onboarding
- Develop thorough orientation programs
- Provide clear expectations and success metrics
- Include regular check-ins and progress reviews
- Offer in-depth benefit explanations
Many young employees feel undervalued or unqualified due to their age and experience level. A well-structured coaching program can help them reframe these perceptions and develop the confidence to contribute meaningfully to your organization.
Investing in tomorrow's leaders
Investing in coaching for young adults means developing not just stronger employees, but more confident, self-aware individuals who can navigate work and life with resilience.
Coaching helps young professionals uncover their strengths, embrace growth, and understand that imperfection is part of the journey.
When organizations offer this support, everyone benefits. It fosters a workforce that’s not only skilled but emotionally intelligent and ready to face challenges with confidence.
Discover how to truly connect with Gen Z employees and support them through the unique challenges they face in today’s uncertain world.
About the Author
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