Emerging Gen Z professionals are often criticized in the workplace for having unrealistic expectations at work and lacking a strong work ethic. These stereotypes are disproportionately attributed to young professionals, who are seen as less focused and serious than the generations that came before them. As a Gen Z member, I’d like to challenge these negative notions and instead shed light on the positive characteristics that Gen Z has to offer the working world. In the face of a constantly changing world, Gen Z proves they are an adaptable, problem-solving generation. I’d like to highlight two foundational contributors to Gen Z’s adaptable spirit: our pandemic coming-of-age story and our status as digital natives.
Coming of Age in a Pandemic
COVID-19 distinctively affected all generations when it entered the scene in 2020. Gen Alpha faced setbacks of socialization and early learning loss, Baby Boomers faced disproportionate health threats, and Gen Z struggled with the newness of adulthood. As the pandemic now fades from daily concern, research suggests Gen Z may have been the generation that was most impacted by the setbacks of the pandemic. When the pandemic began, Gen Z was at a prime age for worldview formation. This timing suggests that the psychological effects of the pandemic will factor heavily into Gen Z’s long-term identities and professional values.
To understand Gen Z’s attitudes toward work, it is crucial to acknowledge how profoundly the pandemic shaped their early experiences with the professional world. Gen Z lost several opportunities for in-person education, internships, and jobs at a critical time for professional development. Though jobs and schools would eventually offer hybrid possibilities for working and learning, these remote opportunities were not instantaneously available for all. Gen Z also reported some of the most significant mental health struggles and anxiety levels in the wake of COVID-19. The pandemic is projected to be Gen Z’s generation-defining event, and the anxieties that surrounded the early uncertainty of the crisis are likely to remain with them for life.
Though the pandemic had a significant negative impact on Gen Z, it also brought about a sense of generational resilience and strength. Amid the evolving world of pandemic learning, many students opted to stay the course of higher education and work towards their degrees. Despite the uncertainty of the time, Gen Z harnessed an underlying sense of persistence to launch them onward in their professional lives. Gen Z students have become the pros at pivoting, reimagining, and reconnecting through challenging circumstances. Learning from the pain and disappointment of COVID-19, Gen Z is left well-equipped to handle any turmoil and chaos the future holds with character and resilience.
Digital Natives
Gen Z is often criticized for being “chronically online” and overusing technology. I can admit that there is truth to this stereotype. However, I like to see Gen Z’s extensive use of technology as a positive attribute, equipping the generation with advanced digital literacy skills. As the first generation of true digital natives, Gen Z’ers are uniquely prepared to adopt technological skills quickly. The concept of a “digital native” stems from the idea that Gen Z’ers have always been exposed to technology and, therefore, “process and interact with the world around them through a technology-first lens.” The generation’s longstanding history of internet surfing and social media use has developed soft skills like research and content creation, all highly applicable to the workplace.
The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping traditional work structures. Gen Z, with its adaptability and tech-savviness, is well-equipped to navigate these changes and capitalize on the new opportunities AI brings. Gen Z’s sense of digital literacy also allows them to more comfortably learn and adapt to how AI alters work. The generation’s native understanding of digital technology makes them assets for navigating innovation in the workplace and even predicting trends in emerging tech.
A Resilient Generation
It’s easy to dwell on the negative impacts the pandemic and technology have had on young adults, but I’d like to challenge the notion that these factors are inherently detrimental to the emerging generation of professional leaders. Instead, we can focus on how these defining moments have molded Gen Z into better problem solvers and stronger people. I urge current leaders to recognize young professionals for their adaptable problem-solving skills and to employ their adaptive minds to drive workplace innovation. Harnessing their unrivaled digital skills and pandemic perspectives, Gen Z will continue to contribute positively to the workforce and drive thoughtful innovation.