As artificial intelligence transforms the workplace and student debt balloons, a significant portion of Generation Z now expresses regret over their college education.
According to a new survey by Resume Genius, 23 percent of full-time Gen Z workers regret attending college, and 19 percent say their degree didn’t contribute to their career.
Why It Matters
The data reveals a generation at a crossroads, questioning not only whether college was the right choice, but also what careers will remain stable in a rapidly evolving economy.
Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, is entering one of the toughest job markets in history. A different report from Kickresume showed that 58 percent of recent grads were still looking for a job, compared to just 25 percent of the older generations (millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers).
What To Know
The top reasons for Gen Z’s regret likely stem from overwhelming student loan debt, a lack of job opportunities in their chosen fields, and the perception of a poor return on investment for certain degrees.
Only 32 percent said they’re content with their education path and wouldn’t change it, according to Resume Genius.
A different report by The HR Digest highlights that many Gen Zers, facing mounting debt and stagnant job prospects, would opt for higher-paying industries or skilled trades if given another chance. Thirteen percent say they would prefer a path without a traditional degree, evidence of a growing interest in trade schools, apprenticeships, and non-traditional career routes.
“Gen Z is carrying debt that either personally weighs them down or is tied to a company benefit that only kicks in if they stay loyal to the firm,” Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek.
“It’s a new kind of indentured servitude. And to make matters worse, many of them are in roles they probably could’ve landed without the degree in the first place.”
Generative AI is also drastically reshaping th