“One thing that people seem to have forgotten is that sometimes you have to do stuff that maybe you don’t want to do. Stuff that’s not your “passion”. Stuff that you have to do to get by, to make ends meet, and to work your way up in the world. Maybe that work-life balance you’re striving for, you’re not going to get instantaneously. You have to be ok with that. You have to be ok with that AND you have to accept it. People need to remember that at the age of 20, they still have 40 to 50 years of work ahead of them. That big corner office, or the fancy title, or the great paycheck isn’t going to just ‘show up’ – you’ve got to put in the time and the effort. And you’ve got to remember that that time and effort isn’t amassed instantaneously – it takes years. Not days or months. Years.” -Mom
It’s 2018, and the upper end of my generation, Generation Z, are making their way through high school, college, and into the workforce to join their direct predecessors, the ever controversial demographical segment known as the Millennials. As a sixteen-year-old high school student – and one who’s currently working part-time writing for TM as well as working seasonal jobs and various gigs doing manual labor – the issues that my generation face as they make their way into the world pertain directly to me.
For those who don’t know, I’m Josh. My mom is April Kester, and she’s the Director of Online Marketing here at Transformation Marketing. And, yeah – that quote up at the top from “mom”…those are her words and the inspiration behind this series.
From historical events and statistical realities to the rapid, technology-induced evolution of markets, employment, and society overall, to the precedents set by previous generations and the way that they influence the perception of my generation, both inside and out, there are many factors that have shaped – and continue to shape – the environment in which we live and work. While some are detrimental and appear to set the Gen Z demographic at a disadvantage, others will prove to be positive and set us apart from the previous generation in both a unique and advantageous way. In this multi-part op-ed series, we will explore these ideas and more, as well as the reasoning and statistics behind them, while, hopefully, providing a unique perspective on subjects of:
- Perceptions and misconceptions regarding both the Millennial generation and Generation Z.
- The impact of modern history on the environments both generations were brought up in, as well as the effects of their upbringing on their outlook on employment and real-world issues.
- The differences and nuances of the work ethic taken on by both generations
- Statistical shifts from one generation to the next.
- How Generation Z can overcome or capitalize on the conditions of the workplace.
I’m excited to work on and share with you my thoughts in this series and present you with valuable information about what to expect, hope, and prepare for in the Generation Z workforce. I hope to provide you with accurate and verifiable insight within a fresh and unique take on these complicated topics. I can’t wait!