Loved the insights and honestly a lot of parallels to the feelings I had as a Millennial entering the workforce in 2012. The difference is that we accepted a lot of the work norms as they were and fought incrementally for change. But we are in a different time and today’s reality requires a big swing at change & Gen Z is caught in the middle of that. I have so much empathy for you all, truly! It’s a more harsh, more expensive world.
My advice to the GenZ professionals: move jobs faster (every 1-2 years), get more hard skills & get more money with each move until you hit the sweet spot of what you’re really good at and can tolerate. :)
Appreciate the advice and the honesty here. People are always weird about younger generations demanding more as though that’s not how progress happens. Sigh
Thank you so much for this! Fascinating. I have to say, it was so interesting to read this when, in parallel, there's this whole debate about "996" going on (working 9am-9pm, 6 days a week, which is what a lot of tech companies mandate in China but is also a model that is rapidly spreading to Silicon Valley and to some European AI companies). A lot of the US and European companies adopting this model are led by relatively young (if not Gen Z, then young Millenial) founders. I suppose there are always 2 cultural trends opposing one another at any point in time, but this one feels extreme (996 on one end of the spectrum, "I want to work less than 30 hours/week" on the other end).
My other reflection is this: there is a potential contradiction in the answers, when you look at the fact that the majority of respondents want more money, but equally there is a strong sense of not wanting to spend much time at work, and not feeling very loyal to the company. Of course money and dedication/time at work don't always go hand-in-hand, but from my experience (as an older Millenial) the way to earn more money is to either grind it out and rise up the corporate ladder, OR pick the right startup at the right time and ride the wave (but that will require some SERIOUS hard work - early stage is no joke). I'm not sure there is an easy path out there - one that gives you more free time AND more money...
Like I said, Gen Z is defined by contradiction above all else. It really is wild and fascinating. Haven’t heard much about 996 so will go check that out. I have a hard time seeing that take root with American zoomers specifically though. There is definitely a general trend of wanting more for less, and there are so many ways that can be interpreted
At the end I did say that being young is about doing what you must before you get to do what you want. I really do believe that. I also think most young people know that as well. The tone of these comments leaned more towards venting which I appreciated. We know there isn’t much of a way around it. We will have to grind and work long hours and get peanuts for a long time. I think the interesting question is, is there a better way? Especially since unlike the last two generations what we get from our jobs doesn’t end up going that far. For most people at least
Yes there’s definitely also self-reporting bias, and a bias for the sample size that would be reading and responding (ie lots of people working in media and adjacent industries who are likely to be more open to articulating grievances — I know I am!).
I’d tend to agree here. There’s also that tension between being hopeful for what we thought growing up would look like and what it actually is, and pushing back on that…. I’ll check out the link
That contradiction struck me as well, and then I realised that made me such a millennial to see it as such.
But every generation starting out in their career wants more money, more meaning and more support… the difference with Gen Z is that hybrid/WFH is now an option, and there’s a different expectation of what work is meant to fulfil for you.
I’ve been eagerly waiting for this and it did not disappoint! Great job Ochuko and Kate! Really struck by “It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement, so I deserve respect too” 🔥
As someone older (Gen X) I found a lot of this refreshing to read. I think there's so much about Gen Z that is appropriately challenging about workplace, work life, etc. At the same time, some of these sentiments are as old as time: I and my friends had many of the same frustrations when we entered the workforce. As one quote put it, "capitalism is a prison" and so when you unpack what the current gen desires, you see that it really bumps up against a lot of very established things we all suffer from.
Other things that were less surprising/unique -- McKinsey and burnout! There's a tension w/ prestige companies, workforce culture, pay & opportunity that places like McKinsey rely on - their model is predicated on not keeping ppl around, but/and making it exceedingly difficult to survive and rise. I'm not at all defending them - I, too, had a friend leave on ST disability - but I think what I'm also saying is that some of these situations are the result of how hard it can be to vet career opportunities inside specific contexts.
I am rooting for Gen Z; I don't think remote work as a young person is a great way to begin career work. And I think so many places are now w/ even more constrained funding etc that there's a squeeze at the bottom. Work takes a lot of things - effort, time, relationships, a plan, 'failure' and clarity - and I would caution everyone in all generational directions to remember how complex these things are, and to be compassionate w/ one another. Great work on this! Sending this around to so many ppl and places. <3
It’s was great reading the responses and as a young person also realizing that so many of these frustrations just come with being a young person. Slightly broke, very unsure, disappointed with adulthood… but I think change comes from people pushing back on the status quo and that’s sth I’m really proud of just generation for doing. It’s interesting because I think many of us are finding that existing in the real world (capitalism) can really challenge the values we hold dear like you said and then there’s this tension of okay so what to do with that?
I’ll be interested in seeing if and how AI use especially in entry level roles alleviate some of this pressure at companies like McKinsey. To be fair could make things even more competitive is less workers are needed
And with remote work I think we all low key know it’s not great for our careers. There’s an opportunity cost there. A lot of young people I think are willing to give up that progress for the flexibility it affords in other areas. Hybrid work is ideal. I started my career in Covid and cannot imagine going to the office five days a week. Absolutely will it do it. But am I how productive when I’m in? Yes. I’ll admit that much
This was absolutely fascinating. I really admire that this generation doesn't think they owe their companies loyalty just for hiring them. One of the biggest things I learned in the corporate world is that most of the time, you can be as loyal as you want to a company, but they will always act in their own self-interest, so you should too. Also so bleak that the biggest job stress is hunting for another job, but that definitely feels accurate. Thank you so much for doing this research!
And thanks for engaging! I’m so surprised by how many people are looking for work but also not surprised. It’s such a hard job market too. A lack of loyalty is one of the biggest trends I say with this report but also anecdotally in my life. Seeing these layoffs happen left and right really does put things into perspective
loved this. i’m going through a career crisis right now. trying to switch from PR to Marketing ( what i went to school for) and it’s the hardest thing ever to find some where that will compensate you correctly, provide benefits while also providing a decent work life balance. truly hope something changes soon.
You’re not alone. Getting all those checked off is so hard right now especially in the current labor market. It’s an employers and net right now which really sucks. Hang in there through. Really hope something great turned up !
What a fascinating study! So interesting to read the threads of universality and difference - everyone wants more money! even someone on $100k 😭 I am so shocked at that lol but it is all relative I guess. Perhaps you never feel satisfied lol
Any more info on the methodology? This is an extremely small sample size for the number of markets you went to. Was it intended to be more qual at scale?
Hi Rich! We shared this survey amongst our networks who happen to span all of the locations mentioned. We would’ve gladly welcomed a larger sample size, but 255 respondents who graduated between 2019-2024 is what we got.
Thanks - I noticed a lot of quotes that were very eloquent, so that probably helped (I'm in market research so that piqued my interest). So probably more helpful to frame it in that way. Not saying this to criticize or dismiss anything btw - just wanted for my own context when thinking through the proper framing of the results. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful job—this is truly a work of art you two… and has my brain whirring on how to help.
While I’m on the cusp of Gen Z myself (1996), I feel equal parts Gen Z and Millennial, so getting to understand and learn about my younger cohort is inspiring. I can’t wait to start mentoring myself and helping others.
This was such a great article with such great insight. I'm a millennial but I always have empathy for Gen Z and their ascension into the workspace and especially during and post COVID - the corporate space has taken a 180 and I understand the dissatisfaction.
Loved the insights and honestly a lot of parallels to the feelings I had as a Millennial entering the workforce in 2012. The difference is that we accepted a lot of the work norms as they were and fought incrementally for change. But we are in a different time and today’s reality requires a big swing at change & Gen Z is caught in the middle of that. I have so much empathy for you all, truly! It’s a more harsh, more expensive world.
My advice to the GenZ professionals: move jobs faster (every 1-2 years), get more hard skills & get more money with each move until you hit the sweet spot of what you’re really good at and can tolerate. :)
Appreciate the advice and the honesty here. People are always weird about younger generations demanding more as though that’s not how progress happens. Sigh
I’ve learned so much from my GenZ direct reports about not accepting BS work norms that no longer serve any of us! 💛
Thank you so much for this! Fascinating. I have to say, it was so interesting to read this when, in parallel, there's this whole debate about "996" going on (working 9am-9pm, 6 days a week, which is what a lot of tech companies mandate in China but is also a model that is rapidly spreading to Silicon Valley and to some European AI companies). A lot of the US and European companies adopting this model are led by relatively young (if not Gen Z, then young Millenial) founders. I suppose there are always 2 cultural trends opposing one another at any point in time, but this one feels extreme (996 on one end of the spectrum, "I want to work less than 30 hours/week" on the other end).
My other reflection is this: there is a potential contradiction in the answers, when you look at the fact that the majority of respondents want more money, but equally there is a strong sense of not wanting to spend much time at work, and not feeling very loyal to the company. Of course money and dedication/time at work don't always go hand-in-hand, but from my experience (as an older Millenial) the way to earn more money is to either grind it out and rise up the corporate ladder, OR pick the right startup at the right time and ride the wave (but that will require some SERIOUS hard work - early stage is no joke). I'm not sure there is an easy path out there - one that gives you more free time AND more money...
Like I said, Gen Z is defined by contradiction above all else. It really is wild and fascinating. Haven’t heard much about 996 so will go check that out. I have a hard time seeing that take root with American zoomers specifically though. There is definitely a general trend of wanting more for less, and there are so many ways that can be interpreted
At the end I did say that being young is about doing what you must before you get to do what you want. I really do believe that. I also think most young people know that as well. The tone of these comments leaned more towards venting which I appreciated. We know there isn’t much of a way around it. We will have to grind and work long hours and get peanuts for a long time. I think the interesting question is, is there a better way? Especially since unlike the last two generations what we get from our jobs doesn’t end up going that far. For most people at least
Yes there’s definitely also self-reporting bias, and a bias for the sample size that would be reading and responding (ie lots of people working in media and adjacent industries who are likely to be more open to articulating grievances — I know I am!).
I wonder whether every generation is contradictory when young? Maybe we all go through that phase? Who knows!
Re: 996, a good start is this post by Martin Mignot, who is the lead partner at Index Ventures' NYC office:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/martinmignot_forget-9-to-5-996-is-the-new-startup-standard-activity-7335258912662683649-s6R0/
I’d tend to agree here. There’s also that tension between being hopeful for what we thought growing up would look like and what it actually is, and pushing back on that…. I’ll check out the link
That contradiction struck me as well, and then I realised that made me such a millennial to see it as such.
But every generation starting out in their career wants more money, more meaning and more support… the difference with Gen Z is that hybrid/WFH is now an option, and there’s a different expectation of what work is meant to fulfil for you.
Underlining that last part. People do want to enjoy their jobs and struggle with the reality that thag might not be the case. I know i do!
Love these reflections though! 😄
I’ve been eagerly waiting for this and it did not disappoint! Great job Ochuko and Kate! Really struck by “It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement, so I deserve respect too” 🔥
Big on that last quote !
As someone older (Gen X) I found a lot of this refreshing to read. I think there's so much about Gen Z that is appropriately challenging about workplace, work life, etc. At the same time, some of these sentiments are as old as time: I and my friends had many of the same frustrations when we entered the workforce. As one quote put it, "capitalism is a prison" and so when you unpack what the current gen desires, you see that it really bumps up against a lot of very established things we all suffer from.
Other things that were less surprising/unique -- McKinsey and burnout! There's a tension w/ prestige companies, workforce culture, pay & opportunity that places like McKinsey rely on - their model is predicated on not keeping ppl around, but/and making it exceedingly difficult to survive and rise. I'm not at all defending them - I, too, had a friend leave on ST disability - but I think what I'm also saying is that some of these situations are the result of how hard it can be to vet career opportunities inside specific contexts.
I am rooting for Gen Z; I don't think remote work as a young person is a great way to begin career work. And I think so many places are now w/ even more constrained funding etc that there's a squeeze at the bottom. Work takes a lot of things - effort, time, relationships, a plan, 'failure' and clarity - and I would caution everyone in all generational directions to remember how complex these things are, and to be compassionate w/ one another. Great work on this! Sending this around to so many ppl and places. <3
It’s was great reading the responses and as a young person also realizing that so many of these frustrations just come with being a young person. Slightly broke, very unsure, disappointed with adulthood… but I think change comes from people pushing back on the status quo and that’s sth I’m really proud of just generation for doing. It’s interesting because I think many of us are finding that existing in the real world (capitalism) can really challenge the values we hold dear like you said and then there’s this tension of okay so what to do with that?
I’ll be interested in seeing if and how AI use especially in entry level roles alleviate some of this pressure at companies like McKinsey. To be fair could make things even more competitive is less workers are needed
And with remote work I think we all low key know it’s not great for our careers. There’s an opportunity cost there. A lot of young people I think are willing to give up that progress for the flexibility it affords in other areas. Hybrid work is ideal. I started my career in Covid and cannot imagine going to the office five days a week. Absolutely will it do it. But am I how productive when I’m in? Yes. I’ll admit that much
Thanks so much for your engagement :)
wow, this was incredibly eye opening and validating. super proud of you two for covering this and you might’ve just inspired my next episode!
Thanks for reading! It was actually so amazing working through the responses and feeling avoiding by so many of them
This was absolutely fascinating. I really admire that this generation doesn't think they owe their companies loyalty just for hiring them. One of the biggest things I learned in the corporate world is that most of the time, you can be as loyal as you want to a company, but they will always act in their own self-interest, so you should too. Also so bleak that the biggest job stress is hunting for another job, but that definitely feels accurate. Thank you so much for doing this research!
And thanks for engaging! I’m so surprised by how many people are looking for work but also not surprised. It’s such a hard job market too. A lack of loyalty is one of the biggest trends I say with this report but also anecdotally in my life. Seeing these layoffs happen left and right really does put things into perspective
loved this. i’m going through a career crisis right now. trying to switch from PR to Marketing ( what i went to school for) and it’s the hardest thing ever to find some where that will compensate you correctly, provide benefits while also providing a decent work life balance. truly hope something changes soon.
You’re not alone. Getting all those checked off is so hard right now especially in the current labor market. It’s an employers and net right now which really sucks. Hang in there through. Really hope something great turned up !
Thank you!
Insightful, thank you for sharing this view and your analysis.
Was really fun to work on. Thanks for reading!
What a fascinating study! So interesting to read the threads of universality and difference - everyone wants more money! even someone on $100k 😭 I am so shocked at that lol but it is all relative I guess. Perhaps you never feel satisfied lol
Phenomenal work and such an interesting read 👏🏼
Thanks May :))
A wonderful read, thank you for this !
Thanks for reading :)
Any more info on the methodology? This is an extremely small sample size for the number of markets you went to. Was it intended to be more qual at scale?
Hi Rich! We shared this survey amongst our networks who happen to span all of the locations mentioned. We would’ve gladly welcomed a larger sample size, but 255 respondents who graduated between 2019-2024 is what we got.
Thanks - I noticed a lot of quotes that were very eloquent, so that probably helped (I'm in market research so that piqued my interest). So probably more helpful to frame it in that way. Not saying this to criticize or dismiss anything btw - just wanted for my own context when thinking through the proper framing of the results. Thanks for sharing!
Totally fair question. It skewed more qual because of the incredibly thoughtful responses from the majority. They gave us a lot to work with!
Which is great because this is an awesome qual-at-scale survey then - thanks again!
Beautiful job—this is truly a work of art you two… and has my brain whirring on how to help.
While I’m on the cusp of Gen Z myself (1996), I feel equal parts Gen Z and Millennial, so getting to understand and learn about my younger cohort is inspiring. I can’t wait to start mentoring myself and helping others.
THANK YOU for sharing, keep it up!
So good to know I can relate to so many others on this topic. Amazing job to you both!
This was such a great article with such great insight. I'm a millennial but I always have empathy for Gen Z and their ascension into the workspace and especially during and post COVID - the corporate space has taken a 180 and I understand the dissatisfaction.
Fascinating read! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes for easy home cooking.
check us out:
https://thesecretingredient.substack.com