When you think about landing your dream job, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? A great salary, a corner office with a great view, work-life balance, or the opportunity to make a difference in the world?
But many of Kenya’s young people, those born after 1997 and commonly referred to as Gen Z, have different priorities. A recent study delved into the minds of this demographic to uncover what they prioritise when it comes to searching for a job.
Surprisingly, over the years, there seems to be a shift from the old standards of success: Gen Z identifies more with personal aspirations than with societal impact.
But like other generations, these people chose to remain loyal to profits – big money and easy money. Odipo Dev In conjunction with Africa Uncensored.
The survey was conducted among 1,300 respondents, of which 51% were female and 49% were male.
The report, released on May 1, 2024, suggests that most Gen Zers recognize the internet as essential to realizing their ambitions, and will likely settle for higher-paying jobs regardless of the employer’s reputation.
So what are their coveted priorities? The allure of a high salary still dominates for 67% of this sample population, but factors such as work-life balance, peace of mind and enjoyment of work also rank highly.
This generation appears to prioritize financial security and life fulfilment over personal growth, with mental health coming in second, with 33% naming it as the most important consideration at work.
Atmosphere and company reputation tied for third place at 19%, with the Gen Z sample population voting as the least likely to consider remote work as a job option at 10%.
But what about their dream jobs? The survey went beyond just employment preferences: 22% of Gen Z said they would prefer to be a business owner or self-employed rather than employed.
While some traditional professions still hold appeal, here’s an enlightening surprise: the second most popular dream jobs were tied at 13% between being a doctor and a TikTok influencer.
The survey revealed that a profession that was once highly respected is now seen as less attractive by younger generations.
Gen Z believes they can make a lot of money by becoming a social media influencer on platforms like TikTok, rather than pursuing other highly respected professions.
About 12% of the sample population of 1,300 people chose an occupation that was not specifically mentioned by the survey researchers. The fourth most popular dream job was an office worker at 10%, followed by an engineer at 9%, a lawyer at about 8% and a musician/comedian at 7%.
About 4% preferred online writing jobs and 3% preferred agriculture. Boda boda drivers, Uber drivers and security guards were the least preferred occupations. However, boda boda jobs were preferred over Uber jobs.
This study gives important insight into what motivates and matters to Kenyan youth and helps us understand how to better engage with them in professional settings.
The report also reveals another shocking fact: many members of Gen Z are reluctant to settle in Kenya or other parts of Africa, with a staggering 39% looking to the US, 31% to Europe, and 17% to Australia.
