For decades, climbing the corporate ladder was seen as the golden ticket to success. But it seems like the younger generation, especially Gen Z, is ready to ditch that idea.
A recent report from Glassdoor highlights that Gen Z is turning away from the standard career growth model and opting for what’s now being d the ‘career lily pad’ approach.
This means instead of sticking to a linear career path, they’re hopping from one opportunity to another, selecting roles that fit their personal and professional needs best at each stage in their lives.
Some might criticize this shift as being lazy or directionless, but many would argue it reflects a smarter and potentially healthier way to navigate the job market.
As Morgan Sanner, a Gen Z career guru at Glassdoor, puts it, “We’ve swapped a rigid career ladder for a more fluid career path. This flexibility enhances sustainability and fits better with today’s job realities.” She shared in an interview.
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The Glassdoor study surveyed over a thousand professionals in the U.S. and discovered that a striking 68% of Gen Z participants wouldn’t chase a management position unless it offered a substantially higher salary or a shiny title.
This mindset showcases a clear departure from millennials and baby boomers, for whom climbing the leadership ladder was typically a significant aspiration.
For Gen Z, simply holding a management title doesn’t equate to success. If a job doesn’t come with fair perks, they’d rather be comfortable where they are.
That said, they’re not entirely shying away from leadership roles—they’re just changing the playbook on how it’s done.
Glassdoor’s insights show that Gen Z is stepping into managerial roles at equal rates as previous generations, currently comprising about 10% of all managers across sectors.
Nonetheless, when they do take charge, their management style varies notably. Gen Z leaders generally focus on collaboration, flexibility, and promoting work-life balance, rather than enforcing strict hierarchies.
The data reveals that 58% of Gen Z workers relaxed their efforts at work during the summer, compared to only 39% of those aged 45 and older. Moreover, a staggering 31% expressed that they cherish flexible working hours—something Gen Z managers prioritize as well.
Yet, many young professionals feel the traditional job market isn’t quite addressing their needs, given that time-honored success routes no longer guarantee a lucrative outcome.
This skepticism appears to be fueling a preference for stable jobs over those merely perceived as high-status.
Amidst layoffs, economic shifts, and new fears surrounding AI, younger workers are increasingly drawn to sectors traditionally seen as secure: healthcare, education, skilled trades, and government.
According to Glassdoor’s research, a striking 70% of Gen Z employees feel AI threatens their job security, prompting many to explore career paths less likely to face disruption.
The upshot? This generation isn’t necessarily less ambitious; instead, they’re opting for what feels like a more stable route.
Evidently, the push for side gigs reinforces this mindset, as Gen Z shows the most significant trend in side hustles over any other age group. A recent Harris Poll reports that 57% of Gen Z has a side project, versus 48% of millennials, 31% of Gen X, and a mere 21% of boomers.
These side hustles are more than just a fallback plan; for them, it’s about personal expression. For a lot of younger professionals, a primary job is primarily there to pay the bills, while their side hustles let them follow their creative interests.
Growing up in an era riddled with millennial burnout and economic turmoil, Gen Z has witnessed the consequences of tying one’s identity too closely to work.
As Glassdoor’s chief economist Daniel Zhao points out, “Gen Z is challenging the definition of success at work right now. They’re not ditching ambition; they’re redirecting it towards career paths that prioritize financial security alongside personal satisfaction.”
What might seem like a step away from traditional ambition could indeed mark the way toward a more suitable and rewarding professional life for a generation often misunderstood as unfocused or unmotivated.
