The Research — Velora Coaching

Evidence-Based Coaching

The research is clear.

Today's young adults are navigating one of the most under-supported transitions in modern life. These are the studies, surveys, and data that show why — and why coaching changes the outcome.

83%
of young professionals say having a mentor is crucial to their career development
Adobe
52%
actually have one — a gap of more than 30 points between need and reality
Adobe
57%
of college students feel lonely — 4× more likely to experience severe psychological distress
Trellis Strategies, 2026
75%
of adults who had a mentor say that relationship was a major contributor to their success in life
Mentoring.org

Velora didn't emerge from a theory. It emerged from a gap — the space between what school teaches and what life actually requires. Young adults who spent formative years navigating a pandemic are arriving at work and adulthood with real, measurable shortfalls in the skills, connections, and confidence that shape what happens next.

The research below — from peer-reviewed journals, national surveys, and leading institutions — confirms what we see every day. The good news: mentorship and coaching are consistently among the most effective and cost-efficient interventions available at every stage.

In High School

The critical window for identity, confidence, and direction

Research consistently identifies high school as the developmental period where career identity, self-efficacy, and resilience are formed — or not. What gets built here shapes everything that follows.

Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Skills and Career Adaptability in High School Students
A study of 350 high school seniors found that self-management, social engagement, emotional resilience, and cooperation directly predicted career confidence and a sense of control over their futures — the exact skills not taught in most classrooms.
Thirty Years of Data Reveal the Long-Term Impact of Youth Mentorship
A landmark re-analysis of 30 years of data found that mentorship in adolescence is one of the most cost-effective interventions available — with measurable increases in earnings, social outcomes, and life success tracked all the way to age 30.
Personal Identity and Social Identity Among High School Students: A Longitudinal Study
Longitudinal research shows that a firm sense of identity built during high school predicts successful adjustment to work and higher education in young adulthood — and is directly linked to life satisfaction years later.
A Systematic Review on Career Interventions for High School Students
Structured career and mentoring interventions during high school have demonstrably positive effects on post-secondary readiness — and the absence of those interventions carries lasting costs.
Mentoring Impact: The Research
75% of Americans who had a mentor growing up say that relationship was a major contributor to their success in life. Mentored youth show stronger academic outcomes, higher earnings in adulthood, and a greater sense of belonging.
In College

Loneliness, skills gaps, and a transition no one prepares you for

College is supposed to be where it all comes together — but for a generation that spent much of it on screens, the data tells a different story. The gap between what college teaches and what employers need has never been wider.

Is Student Loneliness the New Normal?
A national survey of nearly 44,000 college students found that 57% feel lonely — and only 15% say they never do. Researchers specifically named peer mentorship programs as the structural response most likely to help.
The Correlation Between Loneliness and Student Mental Health
College students who feel lonely are over 4 times more likely to experience severe psychological distress. More than 28% report feeling isolated — a belonging deficit that mentoring is uniquely positioned to close.
The Soft Skills Gap: Why Graduates Struggle to Stand Out
Only 51.5% of undergrads identify problem-solving as a critical skill — while 88.3% of employers say it's essential. Nearly two-thirds of employers now hire on skills, but students aren't being taught how to demonstrate them.
Employers Say Students Aren't Learning Soft Skills in College
"What's the formal way to write an email? How do I talk to my manager? That was never taught to me." A firsthand account from a recent graduate — backed by nationwide employer data confirming the gap is structural, not individual.
The Impact of Mentoring in Higher Education on Student Career Development: A Systematic Review
A review of 73 papers spanning four decades finds that mentoring in college consistently produces stronger career self-efficacy, clearer career intentions, and more successful transitions into employment.
In the Workplace

The most disengaged workforce in a decade — and what actually works

Young adults who spent their formative years in a pandemic are arriving at work underprepared — not because they aren't capable, but because nobody built the bridge. Mentoring and coaching are the bridge.

US Employee Engagement Falls to a 10-Year Low
Only 31% of U.S. employees are engaged at work — the lowest since 2014. Young workers under 35 dropped 5 points in a single year, with sharp declines in feeling recognized, knowing what's expected, and feeling that anyone at work genuinely cares about them.
The Skills Gap: Why Development Should Be a Priority in 2025
9 in 10 young workers report experiencing social discomfort at work. Only 1 in 4 feel confident networking. The post-pandemic generation entering the workforce has had "a completely upside-down experience of work" — and structured mentoring is the most direct fix.
The Soft Skills Dilemma in the Workplace
Employers consistently report gaps in communication, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution among today's young hires. The pandemic and digital-first upbringing limited the in-person social development these skills require.
Mentoring Will Close the Growing Skills Gap Crisis
Mentoring programs produce an average 43% increase in retention. Fortune 500 companies with mentoring programs showed 3% employee growth during the Great Resignation — those without saw a median 33% decrease in headcount.
Workplace Mentorship: Meeting the Needs of a Multigenerational Workforce
Today's workforce is the most generationally diverse in history. Framing mentorship as a pathway to skill development and leadership strengthens engagement, builds confidence, and increases retention.
True Gen: This Generation and Its Implications for Companies
McKinsey's foundational research on today's young adults: they are pragmatic, values-driven, and seeking authenticity in their work and relationships. Coaching and mentorship align directly with how this generation builds trust, identity, and professional confidence.

Ready to close the gap

The gap is real.
So is the solution.

If you're a young adult ready to build the skills that actually move the needle — or an organization looking to invest in your people — let's talk.

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