Generation Z Workers Struggle Between Purpose And Pay

As the workplace becomes increasingly supported by Generation Z, the paradox between pay and purpose have made finding the ideal job increasingly difficult for these professionals.  

For Benjamin Nitzani, being part of the legal industry is his passion, but his top priority is to get paid. 

The 25-year-old said he currently owes over $100,000 in student debt and, while he has recently accepted an offer from a major law firm, he says he wants to donate what he can to Jewish soup kitchens and other various charities. 

Nitzani isn’t alone in this feeling. Social movements have greatly impacted younger generations in their aspirations, but rising inflation has caused salary to remain a top priority. 

According to a recent Deloitte survey, the number one concern for Gen Zers was the cost of living this year. 

While over one-third (37%) of Gen Zers stated that they have “rejected a job and/or assignment based on their personal ethics,” this is down from the nearly half that said the same one year ago. 

“It’s not always a straightforward answer, as to where you work and when and how you decide to take a stand,” said Michele Parmelee, Global Deputy CEO at Deloitte. “With some experience, I think people understand that these choices are complex.”  

In a recent poll commissioned by ResumeBuilder.com showed that 54% of college seniors would work for a company they disagree with for a six-figure salary.  

Many Gen Zers wish it didn’t have to be this way, though. For 21-year-old software engineer Sam Hossain, working for a nonprofit would be his preference if money wasn’t a factor. Hossain instead works for a large tech firm in New York, which he says could make an impact by allowing him to buy his mother a home.