Gen Z is finding their own ways to navigate the current American workforce

Whether it's corporate, freelance, entrepreneurial, or creative, Gen Z is finding their own ways to navigate the current American workforce — often out of necessity as much as choice.

Entrepreneurship has become an increasingly accessible form of work as digital networks like Depop and Etsy provide platforms for small businesses, and social media provides a vehicle for free advertisement and outreach growth. This goes hand-in-hand with creative work, with many individuals selling products like handmade jewelry and customized garments or providing a myriad of services ranging from lash extensions to handpoke tattoos. Yet there is a paradox within the entrepreneurial landscape. On one hand, this generation values the labor of small business owners and strives to promote their success through shares and word-of-mouth campaigns that emphasize independent artists. To some degree, there's an authentic commitment to ethical consumption and pushing back against corporate monopolies. On the other hand, the current American economy has left Gen Z with little disposable income to purchase goods with higher prices that reflect the labor put into their production. Student loan debt, rising rent costs, and wage stagnation mean that even Gen Zers who want to support small businesses often can't afford to. So while the young entrepreneur or artist has the tools and platform to create, they are also playing in a more competitive field.

Many Gen Zers work hard to enter the American art scene and find their own space in creative fields while also facing the financial complications that come with sacrificing more lucrative, traditional careers. However within these creative spheres, it’s easy for individuals to build community and affinity among other artists. When it comes down to the arts, an aptitude for networking and making connections is key, but part of the allure of working as a creative is the collective nature of the work and the sense of belonging it engenders. Freelance workers also face barriers in their lack of income stability, health insurance, retirement contributions, or paid time off. Yet the flexibility and autonomy of self-employment can be appealing and liberating to a generation that’s increasingly emphasizing life beyond the workplace. These laborers often find themselves pulling together multiple income streams — working in childcare, taking commissions, getting a retail gig on the side, etc. 

    This new young American generation is simultaneously taking on corporate life which also comes with its own set of perks and conflicts. The corporate world, as well as the non-profit sector, are faced with a demand for individuals with social media literacy and digital proficiency, predominantly relying on the knowledge of younger generations and in particular Gen Zers. While that opens the doors for a lot of young Americans, it also increases the competitive nature of the current entry-level job market. But as a generation marked by socio-economic and political uncertainty and instability, the corporate sector provides security and reliability, whether individuals are looking for growth opportunities or in a transition period between career or educational pathways. For some, corporate work is a conscious choice; for others, it's a fallback when creative or entrepreneurial ventures can't pay the bills. Many Gen Zers find themselves straddling multiple worlds — the 9-to-5 that pays rent and the side hustle in pursuit of passion. Thus Gen Zers in the current U.S. job market are driven by pragmatism as much as interest, no matter which sector they find themselves working in.