Gen-Z: Their Significant Role and Aspiration in Choosing Career

Growing and thriving in the digital world, the so-called Generation Z or Gen-Z tends to have different standpoints related to working or choosing a career.

From 2023 onwards, those who belong to Generation Z will be young professionals in the global working world. Some questions may arise regarding what they are, how they play an important role in choosing their career paths, and more.

This article will take you closer to this second-youngest generation after the millennials. You will learn more about what role they play or values they have, as well as what they want in their job.

Who is Generation Z?

According to McKinsey & Company, Generation Z or Gen-Z is a generation born between the mid-90s to early 2010s. The digital age has shaped their prominent identity, in which they cannot live without the Internet – the so-called “digital natives.” As a result, their career tendency or path is closely related to digital and technology innovations.

One of their prominent characteristics is having the internet as part of their lives. Indeed, they are extremely online, either for looking for any information, shopping, working, making friends, or even dating. They frequently turn to the internet and go back and forth between sites, social media platforms, and apps.

What Role Do They Play?

In the US history, Gen-Z is considered the most racially and ethnically diverse generation ever. They bring these values into the workforce, especially related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Still, what are other values that make Gen-Zers different? Let’s see some of them as follows.

• They have a voice and are comfortable expressing their opinions or ideas
• They bring their values and beliefs into their workplace, believing that they should be at the heart of the workforce
• They embrace entrepreneurship or start their businesses
• They are more resourceful
• They are independent learners and workers

Furthermore, as Gen-Z, mostly those who were born between 1996 and 2015, they will be a young professional in 2023 and forwards. Regarding career journey, this Gen-Z is more likely to make up about 75 percent of the workforce in 2025, as stated by Deloitte.

How Gen-Z Choose Their Preferable Career?

As stated earlier, Gen-Z tends to have a different point of view regarding pursuing their future career path. This will be closely related to the above roles or values they have.

For example, prior to accepting a job, Gen-Z usually will do their own in-depth research into the company’s work ethics or values, as well as their culture. They won’t be hesitant to turn down a job offer when it clashes with their own values and beliefs.

Known as the most entrepreneurial generation, Gen-Zers show and even have a higher willingness to start their own businesses. Or else, they have part-time jobs during college times to gain more experience and skills.

As independent learners, they seize the opportunities to pursue knowledge through online educational resources, like webinars, blogs, live training, podcasts, talks, and the like.

Once graduating, they are more likely to seek their first job in the digital world. Some of the most chosen careers they pursue are web developers, social media specialists, content writers, etc. They mostly will look for an innovative working environment, more particularly the one that emphasizes creativity and allows them to contribute to any innovation pursuit.

Speaking of which, the following are some factors that Gen-Z consider important when choosing their preferred jobs or careers.

• Pay that affords the balance between work and life, where compensation transparency is highly crucial
• Clear career paths that lead to career growth and opportunities for internal mobility or advancement (get promoted)
• Benefits that have a more modernized approach, emphasizing healthcare (mental health) and flexible schedule (flexibility)
• Have fun at work, even in remote working settings, including the 3 Cs (community, culture, and collaboration), not to mention strong coworker relationships and being part of the company
• A company or organization that has a commitment to social justice or DEIB – diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• A company that commits to accountability (on the environment), sustainability, and social responsibility

Those are things that Gen-Z want to find or expect when looking for a job or company, as well as pursuing their future careers. Their preference may start early even from selecting a study program or even the university they attend. Their unique identity and standpoint can be ascribed to the digital era they live in, not to mention the changing financial landscape to the unfortunate breakdown of the recent pandemic time.