Supporting Early Career Staff in Today's Context
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Today’s early career staff entered the workforce at a time unlike any before. Members of Generation Z are beginning their professional lives in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, racial justice uprisings, increasing political polarization, and the constant influence of digital media. These conditions affect how they view and experience work, equity, and leadership.
While we do not want to make assumptions or generalizations based on age, we recognize the very real conditions shaping the current generation of early career staff: economic precarity, shifting workplace norms, and heightened attention to wellness and inclusion. These factors are reflected in rising turnover trends, with 31% of Gen Z employees planning to switch jobs within the next six months, up from 25% in 2024. At Change Impact, our review of turnover data for 1,600 staff found that approximately 50% were no longer working for the same organization after two years. Supervisors who understand how these factors influence motivation and retention are better positioned to create environments where younger staff can thrive, both in their current role and as they advance in their careers. The goal is to ensure that younger staff feel included, respected, and prepared to contribute fully to the important work of youth development. This paper reviews the context surrounding early career staff, and introduces Supervising Early Career Staff with an Equity Lens: A Toolkit for Leaders, a set of coaching topics and approaches to support them. Published Nov 18, 2025 |
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