In the podcast “Is Gen Z Unemployable?” by Suzy Welch, the discussion centers on a growing divide between hiring managers and young workers. Employers tend to value achievement, hard work, and measurable results, while Gen Z places higher importance on pleasure, individuality, and personal meaning. When Welch asked students to describe their purpose, many mixed up values with virtues, showing how blurred these ideas have become. Out of 45,000 survey responses, only 2% of participants shared the same workplace values as hiring managers – an astonishing gap. These shifting priorities stem from broader cultural and societal changes, connecting directly to themes we’ve explored in my Human Behavior and Culture Core classes. Welch questions whether Gen Z will have to “learn the hard way” as companies struggle to find work-centered employees, especially now that AI is eliminating entry-level jobs – roles that traditionally help young people gain experience. After all, AI doesn’t need values, motivation, or a sense of purpose.
Still, if people are going to critique Gen Z’s work ethic, they also need to recognize how AI has both helped and hurt this generation. Many students now rely on AI to complete assignments, often missing out on genuine learning unless they use it as a tool rather than a crutch. If AI continues to replace entry-level jobs – often the only options available to recent graduates – it’s no wonder motivation can take a hit. Yet, I’ve also met some of the hardest-working people in Gen Z, proving that this generation isn’t defined by laziness but by diversity in ambition. The line between job and passion can be blurry, sparking deeper philosophical questions – like those studied in my Philosophy Core class about purpose and meaning. And in fields like art, which I’ve explored in my Art Core class, AI could even reshape or replace human creativity altogether.
From a biology perspective, though, AI isn’t just replacing – it’s revolutionizing. As a student pursuing my Master’s in Biotechnology, I’ve already seen how AI accelerates drug development, improves yield, and minimizes error in pharmaceutical research. In contrast to Welch’s concerns, many biotech companies are eager to hire young people precisely because we understand AI and can help guide older generations through technological change. In this light, Gen Z isn’t unemployable – we’re redefining what employability means in a world increasingly shared with intelligent machines.
OpenAI. (2025, October 29). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/