Millions of Gen Z high school students are preparing to enter the workforce in the coming years, and with them are millions of new career aspirations and perspectives that will affect how employers recruit across the U.S.
A 2024 Career Interest Survey by the National Society of High School Scholars shows Gen Z’s career preferences, educational goals, and views on technology and work-life balance are evolving in the face of economic challenges and new work opportunities.
Gen Z shows a strong inclination towards health and medicine careers: Nearly half (46%) of respondents expressed interest in health-related fields, a significant increase likely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Engineering and science careers also attracted considerable interest, with 18% of respondents opting for each of these paths.
There has also been a slight decline in the desirability of landing jobs at tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Tesla among Gen Z high school students, though these companies still ranks high on the list of most desired employers. Business Insider reports that this trend is largely attributed to the massive layoffs in Silicon Valley and growing disillusionment with the tech industry’s role in spreading misinformation, hate speech, and contributing to mental health issues among teens.
Gen Z’s top 50 preferred employers were:
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Mayo Clinic
- Health Care Service Corp.
- Local Hospital
- FBI
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Amazon
- Apple
- Walt Disney Company
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Red Cross 13
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Netflix
- Microsoft
- Delta Air Lines
- The New York Times
- Meridian Health
- Nintendo
- DreamWorks Animation SKG
- SpaceX
- U.S. Air Force
- Universal Studios
- Chick-fil-A
- Spotify
- Teach For America
- Target Corp.
- U.S. State Department
- SONY
- Nike
- Starbucks
- Tesla Motors
- Build-A-Bear Workshop
- U.S. Army
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Atlanta Health Systems
- Boeing
- Mercedes Benz USA
- National Security Agency (NSA)
- Bank of America
- CHG Healthcare Services
- Lockheed Martin
- National Football League
- Abercrombie & Fitch / Hollister
- Major League Soccer
- Adobe Systems
- Airbnb
- Pfizer
The healthcare industry, which has been challenged with severe staffing shortages, stands to benefit from Gen Z’s evolving career interests. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital took the No. 1 spot on the preferred employer list, followed closely by the Mayo Clinic. Represented at number 4 is Gen Z’s desire to work at any local hospital.
Gen Z also seeks greater work-life balance
Work-life balance and fair employee treatment are in high demand by Gen Z when choosing employers. The generation greatly values health benefits (72%), personal time-off (63%), and flexible work schedules (61%). They also seek professional development opportunities — with 86% prioritizing employers who invest in their career growth.
Like Millennials, Gen Z is also significantly influenced by student debt, with many relying on scholarships, part-time jobs, and family support to finance their education. Concerns about financial stability shape their career choices, as they often prioritize job security and sufficient income to manage debt over pursuing their passions.
Social and political engagement is another defining characteristic of Gen Z. The data reveals most are passionate about issues like healthcare, human rights, and the environment. In fact, 40% of college-level student activists in a survey seek to join organizations perceived to be supportive of their causes.
The majority of Gen Z are also kick-starting their professional careers alongside the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) tools across the workforce. This represents both an opportunity and a challenge for Gen Z. While they use AI for brainstorming (39%) and proofreading (33%), they are divided on its overall impact on their careers. The majority (59%) fear AI could negatively affect society, citing concerns over personal privacy and job displacement.
To succeed in the talent war, employers must recognize the evolving preferences of Gen Z to effectively engage and communicate with millions of new workers. By offering career development, flexible work options, and aligning with some of Gen Z’s social values, organizations can better their chances at attracting and retaining top talent from the latest generation to enter the workforce.
