A new survey by EY Ripples and JA Worldwide asked 6,000 Gen Z participants how they’d reframe business and education. The results indicate an optimistic and pro-active generation entering the work force.
When trying to understand different generations of employees and workers, it can be difficult to know what drives and motivates them – particularly as this tends to change from one to the next.
It’s in the interest of employers and companies to know what their younger staff want out of a career.
Data can help us to shape the modern work space with new needs and wants in mind, which is why EY Ripples and non-profit JA Worldwide conducted a study of 6,000 students to find out what Gen Z expect as they enter employment.
According to EY Ripples, the ‘key motivators’ for Gen Z during education and first-time jobs are ‘problem-solving, diversity, and original thought’.
This was coupled with ‘high levels of optimism and confidence about the future’. Participants said they had a strong desire for a new educational model that blends together virtual and in-personal learning, the former becoming significantly more widespread and accepted as a standard practice since the beginning of the pandemic last year.
Unsurprisingly, almost half of those surveyed said they want to be running their own business within the next ten years, a trend we’ve seen across multiple surveys and research papers over the last few years.
In addition, 82% said they felt hopeful about finding work and addressing global challenges in 2030, and 78% were positive about the emerging trends such as globalisation and automation that are changing the future of employment.
Most said they were confident with using technology and learning new automation process when starting a job too – which means we’ll likely see a large majority of the workforce in the next decade or so completely embrace fresh tech and novel ways to boost production.
Overall, it seems Gen Z are quick to accept modern trends and fluid workspaces, with a key goal of improving the planet and changing the way we view work, whether that be practically or culturally.
What does this mean for the future of work?
All this is fine and dandy, of course, but what does it actually mean for the workplace?
For a start, we’re likely to see a lot more smaller start-up companies and individual businesses pop up as Gen Z enter adulthood. With so many of us wanting to build a career on our own terms and be our own boss, the big corporate jobs become less appealing.
We should also expect fluid workspaces that take advantage of home setups as well as offices. The pandemic has normalised productivity from home and this is unlikely to go away completely even after the virus has passed.
Brands will need to work to improve the world as we enter critical stages of the climate crisis in the next ten years, too. Gen Z want to help fix or improve the situation we’re in now – and that extends to their careers and employment.
Expect more climate-focused initiatives, sustainability work, and a ton more motivation to fix the world. Sounds like a few solid reasons to be hopeful, eh?
I’m Charlie (He/Him), a Remote Writer at Thred. I was previously the Editor at Thred before moving to Bristol in 2024. As a music and gaming enthusiast, I’m a nerd for pop culture. You can find me curating playlists, designing article headline images, and sipping cider on a Thursday. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
Welcome to the latest edition of The Gen Zer. This week, we’re looking at the apparent rise of ‘taskmasking’ in the work place and its ramifications for the hybrid office lifestyle. Plus, young people are using AI in schools to help them with coursework and the nuances of the LGBTQ+ community continue to be ignored in research and surveys.
When the intensity of the pandemic first began to subside...
Sussex University has announced it will be bringing the first climate justice BA to the UK. Could this take the study of climate change nationwide?
Breaking news: young people care a fair bit about the climate.
That revelation, which is perhaps the least surprising you’ll hear this month, has finally culminated in the UK prepping its first climate justice course for undergraduates.
The BA, which will be obtainable at the University of...
How can Gen Z employees use AI to their advantage without losing or failing to develop critical thinking skills?
This is a great question. I’ve seen first-hand how automation can boost efficiency - but also create skill gaps.
Early in my career, my firm automated investment performance analysis, eliminating 80% of the manual work. But when complex issues arose, newer analysts like me - who had never done it manually -...
Welcome to the latest edition of The Gen Zer. This week, we consider whether brands are overstepping the line in an attempt to resonate with younger audiences. Plus, we look at young people’s eating habits, their confusing sex lives, and dissatisfaction amongst NHS workers in the UK.
Earlier this month, IKEA Canada launched a bizarre new marketing campaign that surprised customers with a DM message late at night. The text...
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
0 comments
