It started with this article: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bosses-firing-gen-z-grads-111719818.html.

I was intrigued by this bit in particular: "Bosses also pointed to Gen Z being unprofessional, unorganized, and having poor communication skills as their top reasons for having to sack grads."

That led me to an article in the WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-grads-have-no-idea-how-to-behave-in-the-office-help-is-on-the-way-677f6ba1

This article talks about how college grads (thanks in part to covid) are having trouble talking to people, maintaining eye contact, reading social cues, etc. Some companies like KPMG are sending their new hires to camp to learn basic communications skills. From the article:

"They'll practice scenarios involving conflict within teams, plus the basics of talking in person—as simple as how to introduce yourself to a client or colleague. Key tips include maintaining eye contact, taking pauses and avoiding jargon. It is also best to listen carefully to others, and to adjust your introduction to highlight pieces of your background that will be most interesting to them."

And Michigan State is requiring business school grads to take a class on these soft skills:

"The school [Michigan State University] last year began requiring many business students to take classes on soft skills in the workplace, after observing that students are more awkward and unsure when they network than they used to be, said Marla McGraw, director of career management. The program goes step by step through an in-person networking conversation. In one handout, the center instructs students to introduce themselves by their first and last name. 'STOP! Let them tell you their name,' it reads."

This is wild.