“They’re Built Different”: What Gen Z Is Teaching Us About the Future of Work
This article is a part of the monthly June edition of Leadership &. View full version below.
This past weekend, my 18-year-old neighbor Jimmy knocked on my door with a tablet, a smile, and a pitch: “I noticed your driveway could use a pressure cleaning. I’ve got time Tuesday or Saturday—what works better for you?”
That’s Jimmy.
Fresh out of high school, average student by his own admission (he’d tell you he only did what it took to get by). But don’t mistake that for a lack of smarts. Jimmy is sharp, resourceful, and incredibly self-aware.
Instead of following the traditional four-year college path that so many of his peers were nudged toward, he made a bold move: he enrolled in a competitive HVAC program at our local state college—one of only 20 students accepted.
He’s already juggling multiple income streams. On weekdays, he works a drive-thru job. On evenings and weekends, he knocks on doors with that same tablet, offers pressure washing services, handles the work, the money, and the responsibility. He’s not “hustling” in the trendy social media sense, he’s building something sustainable.
Something smart.
And here’s the thing: Jimmy is not the exception. He’s the signal.
Gen Z is reshaping the workforce, and they’re just getting started.
Let’s start with who we’re talking about. Gen Z, born roughly between 1997 and 2012, now makes up nearly 18% of the U.S. labor force. By 2025, they’re expected to account for 27% across nations. This generation is stepping into adulthood in a world that looks wildly different than it did even five years ago.
They’re navigating rising education costs, climate anxiety, social and political volatility and doing it with a mix of pragmatism and purpose.
And, when it comes to their careers, they aren’t afraid to walk away from conventional scripts. Many are, like Jimmy, opting out of the “college = success” formula that previous generations were handed.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor and National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) :
Around 45% of high school grads enrolled in four-year colleges in 2022.
17% chose two-year colleges.
The remaining ~38%? They either went directly into the workforce, enrolled in vocational programs (which are seeing a major resurgence), or pursued entrepreneurial paths—like freelancing, gig work, or launching small businesses.
Career and Technical Education and Trade programs, like the one Jimmy’s in, are booming. Up 16% year-over-year.
The stigma is shifting.
Gen Z isn’t just tolerating blue-collar work, they’re embracing it. Because what they value isn’t prestige—it’s freedom, growth, and balance.
What Gen Z Wants (and Doesn’t Want)
If you’re hiring, managing, or building culture for the future, it’s time to pay attention. Here’s what the research and the real world is telling us about Gen Z:
1. Flexibility is non-negotiable.
Forget strict 9-to-5s and office mandates. Gen Z expects flexibility in when and where they work. In fact, more than 80% say they want flexible schedules. Nearly two-thirds would accept lower pay in exchange for better work-life balance.
2. Pay still matters…a lot.
They’ve watched inflation soar and housing become unaffordable. They carry deep financial anxiety. Studies show Gen Z believes they need to make $170,000+ per year to feel financially stable. Compensation isn’t just about lifestyle—it’s about survival and security.
3. They want to learn and grow.
This generation craves personal development. “Learning and development opportunities” rank just below balance when choosing an employer. They’re asking: Will I grow here? Or will I outgrow this?
4. They seek purpose, not just perks.
86% say a sense of purpose is key to job satisfaction. They research company ethics, values, and social impact before accepting a job offer. If your culture doesn’t align with their beliefs? They’ll leave. Or never apply in the first place.
5. They’re already working.
Even before graduation, many Gen Zers are juggling jobs, side gigs, and entrepreneurial pursuits. Jimmy’s drive-thru shifts and weekend pressure washing gig? That’s not unusual—it’s emblematic. One study found over 70% of Gen Z is freelancing or planning to.
They’re not waiting for permission. They’re building their own ladders.
So what do we do with all of this?
We listen. We evolve. And we stop underestimating them.
Too often, I hear people dismiss Gen Z as flaky or entitled. But if you spend five minutes with someone like Jimmy or look at the data, it’s clear: they’re not lazy, they’re discerning.
They’re not unfocused, they’re re-focused. They’re not rejecting work, they’re rejecting outdated systems.
As leaders, we have a choice: resist or respond. We can cling to old models or we can co-create new ones with Gen Z at the table.
Sources
Fast Facts: Enrollment, 2023
https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=98Employment and Unemployment Among Youth - Summer 2024, 2024
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/youth.pdfDeloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey 2025, 2025
https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/issues/work/genz-millennial-survey.htmlFrom hire to inspire: Getting—and keeping—Gen Z in manufacturing, 2024
https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/from-hire-to-inspire-getting-and-keeping-gen-z-in-manufacturingGen Z Is Abandoning Conventional 9-to-5 Corporate Jobs for More Diverse Work, 2023
https://investors.upwork.com/news-releases/news-release-details/gen-z-abandoning-conventional-9-5-corporate-jobs-more-diverseFreelancing Meets Gen Z Modern Work Needs, 2023
https://www.upwork.com/research/gen-z-work-requirementsLabor Force Characteristics (CPS), 2025
https://www.bls.gov/cps/lfcharacteristics.htmFast Facts: Undergraduate Graduation Rates, 2023
https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=40Fast Facts: Educational Attainment, 2023
https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=27Freelance Forward 2023 | Upwork, 2023
https://www.upwork.com/research/freelance-forward-2023-research-report