• Generation Z is the latest generation, generally those born after 1995.

• Those of that generation have been called the most connected, educated and sophisticated generation in history.

• It is them who will build a better future and a better planet. 

They are the first generation who have known the Internet and social media all their lives.

It is stated that they are smarter, safer and more mature than previous generations.

Also, they want to change the world.

He has been home schooled. The first time he visited a school was to take his younger brother to use the washroom.

He has taken online college level courses.

He has been working since he was 14 at a high tech company.

He was applying for a position in another high tech company.

He has also been running his own business for the past two years. He imports and sells devices for hobbyists.

He represents many of the characteristics attributed to Generation Z. He is entrepreneurial. He has hacked the education system.

They are the most connected, educated and sophisticated generation in history. They don’t just represent the future, they are creating it. This perspective is attributed to Mark McCrindle of McCrindle Research based in Sydney, Australia.

The younger generation has some advantages having been exposed to the technologies available to them since birth. They are the first generation who have experienced this level of connectivity.

• 94% trust their supervisor’s input more than Internet answers. They prefer face-to-face communication.

• 93% said handwritten notes help them keep up with schoolwork.

• 92.7% believe that technology is causing gaps with other generations.

• 92.6% states that a company’s impact on society affects their desire to work there.

• 90.6% state that a company’s technical sophistication would impact their desire to work there.

• 85% learn best when they use both digital and non-digital tools.

• 77% believe that a company’s diversity affects their decision whether or not to work there.

• 75% are interested in performing multiple roles in one place of employment.

• 75% believe they can get a good education without going to college.

• 72% want to start their own businesses.

• 70% are not keen on sharing personal news. They have grown up with the warning to being careful of what you share and with whom you share it.

• 62.3% see the ideal length of a feedback session as 5 minutes or less.

• 61% state getting diverse experience is more important than climbing the corporate ladder.

• 60.6% are willing to stay at a company for more than a decade.

• 60% want jobs that have a social impact.

• 56% believe that onboarding (integrating a new employee) should take a day or less.

• 56% said they are savers, not spenders as they are prudent.

• 50% would prefer their own office at a job.

• 40% say that working WiFi is more important that working bathrooms.

• 37% say that communication using technology has had a negative impact on their ability to have good people skills.

• 26% volunteer as they are community-oriented.

• 5% considered reputation to be important when looking at a company. We should focus on transparency, honesty about goals and accessible leaders.

• They will embrace the fact that a high percentage of workers will be independent contractors.

• They are interested in entrepreneurship and even starting a business and consider a ‘side hustle.’ (side line work performed for supplementary income.)

You can find much of the above information from father and son David and Jonah Stillman, co-authors of Gen Z @ Work: How the Next Generation Is Transforming the Workplace,

We should consider improving our face-to-face communication, investigating entrepreneurship and consider what else we can do to change the world.

We can help make a dramatic impact on their futures. By setting up online sessions, we will enable youth to learn communication skills. It helps them build community.