Generation-Z Report

By: Hannah Yang

Born roughly between 1997 and 2012, many Gen Zers are still really young—so young that I can barely believe I have anything in common with them. While it’s well known that Gen Z is diverse, it’s harder to pin down what Gen Z will be like a few years from now. By the time I’m projected to graduate college in 2025, Gen Z will make up 27% of the workforce. And yet, I have no idea what I even want to major in.?

It’s much easier to identify what Gen Z is like now. These are some things I’ve noticed in myself and other people around my age:?

Gen Z has a love-hate relationship with technology. We can’t live without it, but because Gen Z is so online, and has been for most of our lives, we have technology fatigue. There are so many relatable TikToks and tweets about wanting to delete social media, disappear, and disconnect. Social media trends, like casual (but highly curated) Instagram photo dumps, are part of a larger movement to make things feel authentic. Camcorders and digital point-and-shoots are in. Earbuds with wires are in. Gen Z romanticizes pre-smartphone times enough that they want something resembling a disconnection from technology (and social media) at times. But it has to be postable too, of course.?

Don’t lie to Gen Z. Gen Z is highly capable of figuring things out on their own. Whether you’re looking to hire or market to Gen Z, know that they prioritize transparency. Additionally, Gen Z is much more aware of the faults and merits of different brands, organizations, and causes. This doesn’t always affect their choices, though. I can’t really afford to shop as sustainably as I want to all the time, and Chick-fil-A remains a staple fast food place amongst Gen Zers. But the point holds: it isn’t easy lying to Gen Z.?

Gen Z is practical, but that doesn’t stop them from dreaming of more creative side-hustles. I have several friends studying computer science who are considering launching YouTube channels or pursuing their niche interests as a side-career-slash-hobby. While dreams like this might not be unique to Gen Z, I find that more Gen Zers actually do pursue these dreams. Perhaps because of the aid of social media (look at the array of niches on TikTok!) or because Gen Z is influenced by the anti-work movement, the main goal of a Gen-Z life is not to work to death. I certainly don’t plan on giving up all my hobbies and passions for a corporate job.?

These are just some of the more interesting features of Gen Z that I’ve noticed around me. Gen Z knows Gen Z best, though—so to learn more about us, work with Adolescent and our Gen-Z team.?