Life is so much more than what you do to make money.
This is the notion Generation Z, also known as Gen Z, is selling to the working world. They are graduating high school and college and hitting the corporate ground running. According to interviews conducted by Forbes, Insiders, and the NY Times, this generation isn’t waiting for their one-year anniversary at the job to make a petition for change, but rather at the interviewing stage.
The current workforce comprises five generations including millennials with the largest representation, Generation X, baby boomers, generation silent (or traditionalist), and the youngest, Gen Z. With each new generation that enters the workforce comes a wave of new concepts that redefine how we work. The labor market has been reworked and revised by computers, the start-up boom, and WeWork styles of communal workspaces, and each change was met with skepticism. The corporate culture was set in its way, until something new popped up. Now the new normal is rushing to the working world and it’s shaping up to leave a lasting mark, even after the pandemic has lifted. Though some expect, and even demand, that the world goes back to traditional normal, Gen Z is ready to buck the system.
There’s no name or catchy phrase to define this new work-life concept, but for now, let’s call it the “Gen Z Revision.” Imagine for a moment, your work environment already operating in these revisions. Your schedule is flexible, not to allow slacking off, but to allow clocking out when your work is completed. This eliminates busy work and the stress of trying to look busy while killing time until 5 p.m. As you work, you look around at your co-workers and employer and see a diverse collective of people. There is effortless representation and inclusion throughout the work you produce as a team. This in turn leads to a sense of fulfillment in your work. Your employer expresses their appreciation for you, and you don’t feel replaceable; best of all, your salary reflects this.
To some, this may seem like a dream world that belongs in the metaverse, that it would be nice, but impractical. To others, like Goodwin University, this is the world we exist in. We believe in the benefits of a flexible schedule. Instead of holding courses for degree programs offered only during traditional daytime hours, our students are able to learn at a time that’s convenient for them and grow at the pace they need to succeed. There’s no need to accomplish one goal at a time when you have a flexible schedule. Within our classrooms, space is created for inclusion and belonging. The best people have to offer can shine when they’re surrounded by diversity. As our alumna Jesline Rosario puts it, “The diverse student body opened my mind and impacted my way of thinking. People ranged in age, race, gender, and ethnicity, and it was a safe and enriching environment. Through debates and discussions, I was exposed to a variety of different beliefs and cultures, all of which were celebrated.” Diversity matters, and just as much, feeling supported does as well. Our faculty and staff take the educational journey with our students. Instead of leaving them at admissions, we support and encourage them from orientation to commencement. Similar support and partnership are what Gen Z seeks from their companies and supervisors.
Some employers are taken aback by such requests, while others expected this type of change and it’s why they hired Gen Zers. They want their companies to experience a shift, to keep up with the consumers and the changing market.
We at Goodwin University found that our approach to teaching and learning aligns with Gen Z’s approach to working. Graduates from Goodwin won’t find this Gen Z Revision out of place. Since we cater to our students with flexible schedules, diverse staff and classrooms, and support for their goals and passions, they’re ready for this type of change. Ultimately, Gen Z is seeking to create a corporate culture of fairness and well-being. It’s what most people would say they want for their lives, but you can’t hope to have that if you don’t start with where most of your days and hours are spent. There is no ‘work-life balance’ if work is not willing to give, even just a little.
If you’re interested in learning more about Goodwin University’s programs visit: http://www.Goodwin.edu/learnmore
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.