Introduction
As the members of this generation are now entering the workplace, companies have received a promising generation with a highly technological view of the world. As people who are 23 years old or younger, Gen Zs are now joining the workforce that is differentiated by new technologies, world events, and social shifts. Research from Johns Hopkins University suggests that Gen Z will contribute about 30% of the workforce by 2030. This will surely bring a new mindset and understanding of new technologies.
However, the article’s information shows that, even with this potential, some employers still need to be convinced. They base this on the pernicious stereotype that depicts Gen Z as lazy and, more often than not, work-shy. A 2023 Intelligent survey reveals that 40% of business leaders asserted that recent graduates need more preparation to work in their companies, and 94% of them avoid hiring these graduates. This article will discuss why Gen Z should be embraced as critical players in the workforce, including the competencies that may set them apart and the value that internships provide to Gen Z’s growth.
What is Gen Z?
Generation Z defines the population born between 1998 and 2012 as having an age limit of 12-26 years. These people have been nurtured by advanced technology, COVID-19, and critical social problems at their young ages. Gen Z is also well known as “digital natives” as they are highly familiar with using technologies. Another Statista study found that in early 2022, 40% of Gen Z’s using social networks spent more than 4 hours per day on social media. But before turning to what is different about them, something must be said about what is similar: technology isn’t their only defining trait. And Gen Z stands before the world as the most educated generation ever, which also has a progressive worldview and values social inclusiveness.
Following the Pew Research Centre study, Gen Z is described as highly educated, socially conscious and pro-government, and these elements define how they approach work and social questions.
Why Office Internships Matter
For Gen Z’s, internships serve as a critical first step into the professional world. Internships offer more than just resume-building experiences; they allow interns to learn hands-on skills, network with industry professionals, and transition smoothly into full-time positions. Here are some key benefits of office internships:
Gaining Invaluable Experience: Internships offer practical experience in a professional setting, where interns learn essential skills like using business software, email etiquette, and office norms. This exposure to real-world tasks provides a strong foundation for a career.
Skill Development: Internships provide opportunities to develop skills not typically covered in academic settings. For example, interns learn to communicate their ideas clearly, adapt to professional software, and work collaboratively with colleagues.
Networking Opportunities: Working in an office exposes interns to mentors and like-minded peers, helping them build a professional network and establish lasting connections.
Smooth Transition into the Workforce: Transitioning from college to a full-time job can be challenging. Internships allow young professionals to experience the demands of full-time work, easing the transition.
Resume Boost: Relevant work experience makes candidates more attractive to employers, and internships serve as a valuable credential that can help them stand out.
Internships provide technical knowledge and valuable insights into personal strengths, interests, and career paths. As Gen Z enters the workforce, these experiences are essential for fostering their growth and resilience.
Lessons Learned From First Office Internship
The internship experience also has lessons that are sometimes brought to professionals to transform the way they work. Here are some key takeaways that can help any Gen Z’s starting an office internship:
You Will Get Things Wrong
Beginning a new job has difficulties, and any given error is standard in the job’s learning curve. This is a rite of passage for Gen Z students, who know that using tech features can arouse so-called ‘tech shame’ when faced with unfamiliar software or difficulty with any task. Of course, some of these errors constitute a company’s initial phase of development. Fortunately, like in my internship experience, the more one poses questions or takes on complex tasks, the more the capacity builds up.
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
The management of communications is one of the most essential skills that may be found in the workplace. Involving co-workers and mentors about what work has to be done, what ideas have to be generated, and where one has to be is trust building. The final recommendation about maintaining relationships with colleagues is to communicate frequently, even if some work from home while others are at the workplace. It is crucial for healthy functional communication in the team, no matter the organizational structure.
Try Everything
Internships are not problematic because they allow investigation of various business sides. You should take up a task no matter how big or how irrelevant to your area of specialization it may seem. At first, when I joined the internship, I was reluctant to get involved in video production. But at least my adviser encouraged me to try it to credit this course, and I acquired some new experiences that benefited my perception.
Update Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn profiles are critical in current employment since most employers research candidates’ online profiles. According to LinkedIn 2024 statistics, candidates with uploads of complete profile records stand a 71% chance of getting called for interviews. A type of relaying is a necessary step in updating the LinkedIn account in the event of searching for employment.
Always Trace Information Back to the Original Source
Correction is paramount, even more so when quoting figures or research. A lot of times, when people need to check the authenticity of their sources, they risk their credibility and, therefore, lose the trust of their followers. For this reason, statistics should be traced back to the source where possible. Some ways are scanning for links, reading the studies, cross-checking the dates and ensuring that the information retrieved is from a proper database such as Google Scholar.
ChatGPT is Not Only a Cheating Bot
The application of generative AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, has been appreciated and criticized. Contrary to many who consider it as a way of easing the process of writing essays only, it is a learning tool, from rewording sentences to increasing task efficiency and providing extensive explanations of concepts and applications of AI. However, it can only be used wisely without leaning heavily on it to achieve the intended result.
Ensure Quality and Accuracy
Getting work done on time is very important, but the effort can be detrimental to the work being done. At the beginning of my programming career, I would quickly complete work and then realize that many errors needed to be fixed. Making it a point to review work and update it promptly is effective in maintaining hardworking standards and creating a good name for oneself.
Bring a Backup Outfit
Delays occur, and of course, there are cases when the coffee ‘accidentally’ spills on the paper! It is necessary to have a spare clothes set at the workplace incidentally. This I was to learn the hard way that a backup outfit usually can save an unfortunate spilling of coffee over your clothes.
Conclusion
As the successors of the modern Generation Y, Generation Z is likely to reimagine the contemporary workplace through and through, with fluency in the digital world, a progressive mentality, and an acceptance of knowledge. While some may find this notion slightly built on air, Zoomers can bring more technological literacy, flexibility, and social sensitivity to the workplace. Gen Z’s should complete internships, get the necessary knowledge, and gain connections to show they are worthy of working in the present day. To Gen Z, the steps to promote these opportunities will not only enable them to find a good job but also positively impact the changing working environment
