Why are Gen-Zers great entrepreneurs? Same reasons we’re called terrible employees.

The stereotype of a Gen Zer in the workplace is a restless, distractible, chronically online, dissatisfied idealist who would rather reshape the workplace than be caught dead following its norms. But while these traits might make us — at least occasionally — terrible employees (3 out of 4 managers say Gen Z is the hardest generation to work with), they might also make us great entrepreneurs.

Rising competitiveness for entry-level jobs and college admissions over the past 25 years or so has turned some of the brightest Gen Zers and millennials into multitasking, hustler generalists. These traits translate well into early-stage entrepreneurship. It’s a gritty, “do-everything” profession, where founders often code, design, market, balance the books, pitch, fundraise and hire all by themselves.

“Think about how hard it is to get into college now,” says Meagan Loyst, the 26-year-old founder of Gen Z VCs, a community of more than 27,000 Gen Zers in entrepreneurship and venture capital. She describes college admissions cases where kids do it all — founding nonprofits, raising millions for their start-ups, captaining their soccer teams and leading the band — but are still rejected from top universities. “We’re primed to think we have to do everything to be successful,” she says.

For multitaskers raised on the rapid change and flow of the internet, the working world after college can seem monotonous and bureaucratic by comparison. Loyst explains, “You’re like, ‘Wait, what? You want me to do this 9-to-5 thing? Like, I can’t even sit through one meeting without my mind going blank.’”

In contrast to start-ups, larger, established organizations have helpful systems already set up. But entrepreneur Christina Moniodis says, in many ways, “they’re clinging to the past and [are] really infected with paradigms that prevent them from moving forward.”

Entrepreneurship, with its breakneck pace and daily fires to put out, keeps curious founders engaged. “I like to chase thrills. You know, I like to try new things,” says Ibrahim Rashid, a 26-year-old author and health-tech entrepreneur. As a former tech entrepreneur myself, I loved being in a field where my tendency to move fast and “do everything at once” was an asset.

This is an excerpt of Renee Yaseen’s Post Grad column. Read the rest for free on washingtonpost.com. You can also follow Renee on Instagram at @washpostgrad.

Have you ever worked on a start-up or entrepreneurial project? What did you learn from it?

“After quitting my job as a reporter to work full-time on a media tech project that’s turning into a product, I’ve learned that joining a start-up is one of the most insightful experiences anyone can have professionally. Also, ‘lean start-ups’ should be included in school curriculums.” — Tassos M., 37

“I started a network support services business in 2004. Cash flowed the growth and reached 1.4 million in revenue in four years. Then January 2009 hit, and we lost $150,000 in one month as spending halted, and we cut half our staff. I took a 60 percent salary cut, and we went into survival mode. We made it through and sold in 2011. All small businesses and start-ups take more time and money than you can imagine. There’s risk all around, and success is very unlikely.” — Scott C., 58

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