Okay, B**mer. I know your criticisms of Generation Z – we spend a lot of time on our phones, scrolling through TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram,  taking part in a “pointless” virtual world. While older generations such as Baby Boomers, Generation X, and even older Millennials criticise Gen Z’s significant screen time, they fail to recognise and acknowledge the large portion of relevant, helpful information available on social media platforms that influence their worldview and mindset.

Growing up in turbulent times with the constant presence of technology has influenced Gen Z to gravitate away from conventional work practices. Rather than being motivated by a reputable job or salary, the younger generation are more attracted to creativity and inclusivity within the workplace. Employers and managers have to recognise this difference in order to harness and implement their innovative and visionary power. Every day we watch influencers profit from following their zaniest interests and passions. Sofia Bush, Emma Chamberlain, and Billie Eilish – to name a few – are dismissed by older generations as irrelevant. However, while I’ll concede that we follow many influencers for entertainment, many of them are extremely politically active, stand up for social injustices, and address mental health using their personal experiences.

Gen Z loves influencers because they often provide relatable content. The celebrities of the older generations such as Bruce Springsteen never had an Instagram live stream where Gen X or Boomers could tune in and interact. Madonna never had a TikTok that Gen X/Millennials could duet. Gen Z’s celebrity role models have the same phones and social media accounts we do, which transforms their “larger than life” presence to a lifestyle more attainable through passion and hard work.

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) worked with Hanover Research to produce a study on the education, career, and employment aspirations of high school and college students. The 2020 survey found that although this generation was born into constant connectivity, their career expectations and job-seeking behaviors are not drastically different from that of their older employers: both value person-to-person communication. However, they differ in that Gen Z seeks multiple experiential learning and personalised career paths, and also tend to consider diversity, morals, gender equality, and social justice issues far more than their preceding generations.

Time and time again, Gen Z bears witness to the world’s many social, political, and economic injustices, and the interconnectedness of them all; systematic oppression, climate change, exploitation of workers, and socio-economic injustices, to name a few. Social media has its downfalls, but the most significant benefit is the raw, unfiltered news and stories posted every few minutes. Take the #BlackLivesMatter movement, for example; social media circulates and promotes videos of protests and the realities of the Black American experience in real-time, with no alternative agenda other than to educate viewers.

Gen Z, with digital acuity and dedication to their passions, want to make a positive impact. Witnessing the #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter movements, in addition to living through the student loan debt crisis and COVID-19 pandemic has shaped their worldview. Rather than separating these global challenges from their personal agendas, Gen Z has accounted for these experiences and included them into their own ambitions and education/career goals.

As the kids of Gen Z become employers and managers, I would argue that “professionalism” will not be held to the same standard it is today. Crazy hair colours, tattoos, and piercings will not be looked down upon, because of the self-expression we practice. Individuality and character will be of far greater importance than appearance, as they already are to many members of Gen Z.  And although most of us do love avocado toast and TikTok dances, I believe that our creative, open-minded and forward-thinking ideas will change the world.