September 23
Generation Z and the Workforce
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As I enter my senior year of high school, I am excited about joining the workforce in the coming years. My interest in marketing and business has led me to apply to business schools, and has inspired me to pursue a career in these fields. I’m excited about the opportunity to learn from the older generations as they have valuable experience within the workforce. At the same time, I believe that my generation, Generation Z, has a lot of new ideas and perspectives to offer.
Generation Z is either currently entering the workforce or will be soon, and I believe that older generations have made generalizations about us as a whole. While I do think that my generation is focused on change and progression, older generations often view this as a threat to their traditional ways. This is not the intent. From our perspective, we are trying to improve the workforce by bringing in new ideas and ways of doing things that can help everyone succeed. Our focus on things like inclusivity, better work-life balance, and flexibility is meant to make the workplace better for everyone. We are not trying to replace old ways, but to add to them.
I have also observed that older generations have developed a negative opinion of Generation Z and our work habits. I feel that the boundaries we set are often viewed as us being lazy. For instance, working overtime, especially without extra pay, is traditionally viewed as being hardworking. To our generation, however, it often feels like an unfair expectation. Additionally, these generalizations are often exaggerated, and can create preconceived judgements. Even though older generations might see Generation Z differently, I still appreciate some traditional work practices. For example, I enjoy having a strict schedule because it helps me stay organized and on track. I also enjoy the in-person office culture, where I can meet and talk to people more personally. However, it's frustrating when older generations label all of us as lazy or uncommitted just because we approach work differently.
When it comes to our expectations, Generation Z is looking for a work environment that reflects modernized values. For example, the flexibility of working from home instead of being in the office is useful in many scenarios, even though I still value in-person interaction. I also believe that job benefits that go beyond the basics make a job more appealing to my generation. For instance, offering time off for paternity and maternity leave, or even pet insurance can go a long way toward making someone of my generation feel that our potential employer is truly looking our for our best interests. Furthermore, my generation prefers quicker communication through text in some cases. While I understand that email is a formal approach in certain situations, texting has become the new norm for direct conversation. Similarly, the normal dress code for our generation is much less formal. Our idea of dressing up looks much different than the older generations’, which creates a different standard for what’s considered appropriate in the workplace. Instead of traditional business clothes, many of us dress in more casual and comfortable clothing. This shows that our view on professionalism is not solely about appearance.
Overall, while I respect traditional work values, I believe that embracing some modern changes can make the work environment more flexible and inclusive to my generation. I am eager to join the workforce in the coming years, and I hope to be a leader in implementing modern ideas and practices in my new position, wherever that may be.
Generation Z and the Workforce
As I enter my senior year of high school, I am excited about joining the workforce in the coming years. My interest in marketing and business has led me to apply to business schools, and has inspired me to pursue a career in these fields. I’m excited about the opportunity to learn from the older generations as they have valuable experience within the workforce. At the same time, I believe that my generation, Generation Z, has a lot of new ideas and perspectives to offer.
Generation Z is either currently entering the workforce or will be soon, and I believe that older generations have made generalizations about us as a whole. While I do think that my generation is focused on change and progression, older generations often view this as a threat to their traditional ways. This is not the intent. From our perspective, we are trying to improve the workforce by bringing in new ideas and ways of doing things that can help everyone succeed. Our focus on things like inclusivity, better work-life balance, and flexibility is meant to make the workplace better for everyone. We are not trying to replace old ways, but to add to them.
I have also observed that older generations have developed a negative opinion of Generation Z and our work habits. I feel that the boundaries we set are often viewed as us being lazy. For instance, working overtime, especially without extra pay, is traditionally viewed as being hardworking. To our generation, however, it often feels like an unfair expectation. Additionally, these generalizations are often exaggerated, and can create preconceived judgements. Even though older generations might see Generation Z differently, I still appreciate some traditional work practices. For example, I enjoy having a strict schedule because it helps me stay organized and on track. I also enjoy the in-person office culture, where I can meet and talk to people more personally. However, it's frustrating when older generations label all of us as lazy or uncommitted just because we approach work differently.
When it comes to our expectations, Generation Z is looking for a work environment that reflects modernized values. For example, the flexibility of working from home instead of being in the office is useful in many scenarios, even though I still value in-person interaction. I also believe that job benefits that go beyond the basics make a job more appealing to my generation. For instance, offering time off for paternity and maternity leave, or even pet insurance can go a long way toward making someone of my generation feel that our potential employer is truly looking our for our best interests. Furthermore, my generation prefers quicker communication through text in some cases. While I understand that email is a formal approach in certain situations, texting has become the new norm for direct conversation. Similarly, the normal dress code for our generation is much less formal. Our idea of dressing up looks much different than the older generations’, which creates a different standard for what’s considered appropriate in the workplace. Instead of traditional business clothes, many of us dress in more casual and comfortable clothing. This shows that our view on professionalism is not solely about appearance.
Overall, while I respect traditional work values, I believe that embracing some modern changes can make the work environment more flexible and inclusive to my generation. I am eager to join the workforce in the coming years, and I hope to be a leader in implementing modern ideas and practices in my new position, wherever that may be.
Office: 310.598.7107
WMG is a certified DBE/SBE Construction Management Firm (ID# 41529) through the Los Angeles County Metro Transportation Authority (MTA/METRO), a participating member of the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP).
Office: 310.598.7107
WMG is a certified DBE/SBE Construction Management Firm (ID# 41529) through the Los Angeles County Metro Transportation Authority (MTA/METRO), a participating member of the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP).
WMG is a certified DBE/SBE Construction Management Firm (ID# 41529) through the Los Angeles County Metro Transportation Authority (MTA/METRO), a participating member of the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP).