When I was little, everyone asked me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
My answers varied throughout the years — from careers like princess to popstar, I dreamed of the freedom to do something I loved for a living. But now that I’m in college, I have to take this question seriously and I’m filled with dread. Labor strikes where workers fight for basic human rights dominate every news story. As a student watching these strikes and preparing to go out into the workforce, labor is no longer something I’m excited about.
Today, when people ask me what I want to do, I tell them that I want to create my own film or TV show one day. But, when I see inspirational filmmakers, writers and actors striking in an industry I thought was desirable, it makes me second guess myself. Whenever I watch TV, it’s hard to appreciate it without thinking about how streaming services are stifling the creatives behind our favorite shows, and with every new movie, I can’t help but think about how much money and sacrifice goes into one feature film.
My future job used to be something that inspired me to work hard. Unfortunately, with AI infiltrating the workplace and companies prioritizing status and money over the hard work of their employees, my motivation has dwindled. Why should I even attempt to pursue my interests when there might not be fair opportunities for me in the future?
Unfortunately, this fear is a sentiment that I share with most of my generation. According to Vox, TikTok and online trends have inspired a wave of anti-work ideology among Gen Z — this rising trend is attributed to American workers’ “heightened levels of fatigue, burnout and general dissatisfaction toward their jobs since the pandemic’s start.” When young workers realize their aspirations for a healthy work-life balance are unrealistic, their desire to work will decrease further.
According to Forbes, TikTok has also contaminated Gen Z’s relationship with labor as many social media influencers can profit from their social media presence. With the realization that people can make money from non-traditional work, it is difficult to inspire those same crowds to go into traditional workplaces for lower salaries. But when corporations need social media or outreach help, Gen Z is the most knowledgeable on how to reach an audience just using their phones. Those who want to stay home and make videos might actually be a company’s most valuable asset.
Companies and corporations need to change their policies and be more responsive to union demands to attract this younger generation of employees. According to an NPR poll, Gen Z, defined by birth between 1997 and 2012, is the most pro-union generation yet. But, big companies like Amazon, Starbucks and Apple discourage unions — including using illegal union busting tactics — believing they will hurt their profits.
Executives should take union demands seriously not only to help protect current employees but also employees of future generations. When young people see how difficult it is for the corporate world to hear them, it scares them away from those industries. According to Business Insider, Gen Z workers have grown up in an environment where “college degrees no longer promise job stability and economic anxiety is high.” It’s clear that the old systems that our parents and grandparents depended on are no longer serving the current college generation. We learned about careers with a fear that we could be broke and jobless no matter how hard we work.
On the positive side, younger generations are already making a noticeable change in the world and working hard. Companies like Gen Z for Change employ activists from our generation who want to do social justice work and make a difference in politics. Older Gen Z-ers are successfully starting to work regular office jobs and live independently. We have a high standard for quality of work and we do it well.
Gen Z is full of passionate and intelligent people who want to make a difference, and our future workplaces must accommodate the needs of young people in order to stay afloat. So, I’m trying to remain hopeful for the future, and believe that I could maybe even achieve my dream job one day.
Contact Eliana Joftus at joftus@oxy.edu
