The First, Not the Last: Generation Z in the Global Community
Electric immersion came from the tech boom of the 90s. The computer was
invented and not long after, the internet, causing adults of that time to be semi-attuned,
but not native as Generation Z is. GenZ has grown up with media devices from an early
age. It has changed their perspective on work and education. Students view their
education as a way to fulfill themselves and make their future better, not just work any
random semi-well paying job. They view their careers as a way to fulfill themselves.
The Global Village is the idea that we are connected through our technology.
Since the invention of the internet, we find ourselves connected through mutual friends,
coworkers or family but also through beliefs and political views. As the twitter feed is
scrolled, hundreds of identities go by, people from different lifestyles and geographic
situations, all connected by Twitter, something a whole generation has been subjected
to their whole lives. They can message, communicate and learn more about each other.
Through media, we can develop lasting relationships and understanding. The
development of media and the use of it socially has decreased GenZer’s social skills
compared to the last three generations. Other skills have developed creating more tech–
savvy and entrepreneurial individuals compared to Millennials. Even with this
entrepreneurial advantage, the long term effect that smart devices and computers will
have on education and employment has not been seen, and Generation Z will be the
first to tell.
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oriented paper.
Eric Dew is a computer programmer who attends MissionU, a new school for
software techs and computer programmers where school supplies and tuition are
provided. Later, students take a percentage of their paycheck to pay their tuition. After
Eric graduates from this institute, he plans to give the private company 15% of his
income periodically until his student debt is paid off(Steinmetz). As a post-millennial, he
feels this is more suitable and realistic. If he does well, then the company does well and
the company stays motivated through his success, a model not known as a traditional
path. Before college even begins, post-millennials find opportunities that involve them
in their community and a field of interest. Gen Z chooses career paths at an early age,
somewhere around high school. Research finds that GenZ doesn’t view 4-year colleges
as necessary anymore. In a survey, 78% of GenZers say they don’t agree with a 4-year
making economic sense(International Magazine of Preject Management). 60% also
answered they were doing some sort of freelance work(Nagler). Most of Generation Z
has GenX parents, raised up through the Great Recession as we watched them stumble
and struggle to keep a house, job or car. Due to this, GenZ is reported to be a bit
conservative with money, completely entrepreneurial and willing to find careers that may
provide less money, but prove their work is valued as unique. Different from Millennials,
54% of GenZers agree face-to-face contact is their preferred method of
communication(Nagler) but Generation Z still has focus on moving forward, keeping up
to date with news and information through their technology and finding new and
innovative ways to use it. The research puts it plainly, Generation Z is far from the
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traditional path. GenZ also views technology as a way to advance their career and
make a difference in the world. Generation Z is focused on creating less
compartmentalization in personal and professional life, and finding jobs that suit their
lifestyle(Nagler). For example, at SXSW 2015, festival-goers used biometric tracking
devices to monitor how much they’ve walked, or run, how many calories they burned,
and other physical activities. Using this same technology, prospective employees are
better suited to pick employment where their lifestyle is kept in balance.
Research estimates the global market for material handling technology and
equipment will reach 134.8 billion by 2020(Charney, 30). With the assertion of
technology, it is easier to look and create less traditional jobs, booming more industries
along with it. Have no fear post-millennials, research shows that 60% of jobs that
GenZers will have do not actually exist yet(People Management). Jobs GenZers can do
that had never been available before they were born include, running a Youtube vlog, a
financially stable Twitter page, and doing sponsorships on personal pages. There’s a
huge market inside the technology that will continue to increase dramatically as the
industry continues to advance. In the approach to employment and workspaces, GenZ
has flipped the traditional path to careership. Instead of getting a job and finding a
career in that direction, they choose their career path and find opportunities from it. A
study found 50% of high schoolers are already volunteering or working in a field of
interest and 60% of Generation Z is doing some sort of freelance(Nagler). In recent
studies, only 28% of post-millennials stated the motivating factor of a job is money, a
smaller percentage than other polls taken from a Millennial sample(Steinmetz). Most of
Gen Z believes less money is worth it if it is a good opportunity for advancement.
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that synthesizes varying perspectives on how Gen Z is
acclimating to and changing the work world.
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laboratory for a new mode of work, so that is a
contention that probably requires a good deal of stat
backing, which she has included.
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specialized vocabulary (aka jargon) that isn’t
recognized by spell check.
Generation Z has also polled as extremely entrepreneurial with over 60% of pollers
reporting they plan to start their own business. Overall, GenZ is better suited for a global
business model, a model that requires quick-thinking, fast learning and remaining
persistent in an increasingly competitive global market(Nagler, 9-10). Most of them will
end up working for someone else but these aspirations show an interest in leadership
and opportunities to expand their skills.
Polls taken from people ages 18-29 found an increase in those who said they
were “definitely voting” in upcoming elections. The poll also reported 37% of pollers will
be voting in the 2018 midterm elections(Khalid). Generation Z is so politically aware of
everything that surrounds them. The technology makes it easier to rally and create large
factions of political activists. This new way of communicating is so ingrained in post–
