Many Gen Zers entered the workforce during the peak of the pandemic, meaning all they’ve ever known is remote work.
This might be why a survey from the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) shows that these young professionals value other perks above working from home. Although it is still a priority to have flexibility in the workplace, Gen Z is prioritizing childcare services, healthcare benefits, and equity.
The 2022 Career Interest Survey took responses from nearly 11,500 high school and college-aged people to explore exactly what drives this generation.
According to the findings, 22% stated that their personal experiences facing discrimination have impacted their career choices, making equity at work a top priority when considering a job.
“It’s so important for employers to understand and listen to the young people when it comes to DE&I,” said James Lewis, president of NHSS.
“Equity for all is a big priority, because they would like to be associated with an organization that treats everyone fairly, provides opportunities for everyone, provides training, and an environment of diversity and inclusion.”
This sense of social responsibility covers all aspects of human rights, including social justice, the progression of science and tech, and healthcare.
Not only do these younger professionals seek to create a better future for all, but they are also burned out from remote schooling and working over the last few years. For many, this has led to the desire to be in the office for some of the time.
Gen Zers have expressed the need for developmental growth, and jobs that provide clear paths to promotion are more likely to attract these workers.
“[This] is an opportunity for entities to say, how do we create an environment where there’s good learning in the office? How do we make sure there are good, challenging opportunities for them to keep them engaged? And how are we fulfilling their strong capacity to learn?” said Lewis.
