Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, is entering the workplace with different expectations that contrast with those of the previous generations.
Recognizing their aspirations is essential for understanding the future of various professions. Born into a world of constant change, their voice reveals what today’s workplace must become.
According to the study published in the ‘International Journal for Research Trends and Innovation’, GenZ seeks new opportunities and mentorship in their job. They expect feedback to be frequent and in real-time, reflecting their desire for immediate recognition, growth, and self-improvement. Twenty-seven-year-old Asmita Rai left her job three months earlier due to an unhealthy workplace environment and the challenges she faced. She says a supportive workplace environment helps promote mutual understanding among colleagues. Constant advice and healthy relationships contribute to maintaining a flexible and productive work atmosphere.
A finding from the ‘International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology’ shows an understanding of the factors motivating GenZ through the application of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Using Maslow’s theory, it has been found that GenZ is motivated when an organization provides a positive and open place that values their efforts, recognizes the essence of their work, and offers opportunities for learning and development.
Moreover, mental health has also become a central concern for GenZ. Krisha Giri, a twenty-one-year-old from Kathmandu, acknowledges the need for workplaces to prioritize mental health, emphasizing the significance of fulfilling professional life. Research from Johns Hopkins University supports this perspective, revealing that GenZ employees want improved access to mental health services, enhanced knowledge of mental well-being, and empathic leadership.
Ernst & Young (EY) studies further note that amid the last decade of economic crisis, social injustices, and a global pandemic, GenZ expects something else to deteriorate. In the context of Nepal, GenZ has encountered constant political instability, injustice, and favoritism everywhere. Shreeju Dhakal, a twenty-six-year-old from Kathmandu, asserts that GenZ wants their future to be the one that advocates for social causes. “After seeing all the violence and demands of people today, it is important to respect human needs and desires,” Dhakal adds.
She claims that GenZ wants a profession that drives for structural reform, promotes accountability, and fosters an inclusive policy-making process. Despite frustration, young people remain confident and hopeful about the future, expecting that change is necessary.
According to Deloitte’s 2025 survey, for many GenZs and millennials, their work is closely tied to their identity. More than forty percent said their primary job is central to their identity, second only to their friends and family. The findings show that cultural activities like reading, listening to music, playing, and seeing performances also hold immense significance. “Employment is deeply connected to self-worth, and without this, many people face difficulties in securing a recognized position in a society,” says Pasang Sherpa, a twenty-year-old youth.
Sherpa says the workplace should uphold meritocracy for equity. This leads employees to work better as their efforts are being recognized. He adds, “A job is important to youth as it concerns personal growth, and motivates them to drive their career forward.”
Deloitte survey further shows that, while education is generally valid, nearly thirty-one percent of GenZ respondents in the survey say they are opting to explore alternative paths, such as vocational qualifications and apprenticeships, which may offer more skills-based learning, as well as a lower financial burden. GenZ values the opportunity for continuous learning and development at work, but some question how the education system prepares them for the job market.
In Nepal, Bimala Tamang, a nineteen-year-old from Kathmandu, believes the education system should prepare young people to thrive in the job market. She points out the importance of practical and vocational training to enhance skills. However, she also sees the education process, which focuses more on the theoretical aspect and calls for timely updates.
Blending passion with profession is another rising priority among GenZ. Simran Ghimire from Kathmandu shares that her profession should blend her curiosity, which brings her pleasure. Having a keen interest in painting since early childhood, she takes it as a medium that pleases her soul. Ghimire adds, “For me, my profession should be a medium to ease my problem to enjoy myself at work”.
Ghimire also notes that each workplace should be flexible, where employees can seek solace. Supporting this, a study in the ‘International Journal of Science and Research’ suggests that organizations must prioritize hybrid work models and flexible scheduling to meet GenZ’s expectations for a work-life balance.
Meanwhile, eighteen-year-old Furba Lama sees immense potential in the digital platform. He adds, “Content creation can provide a platform to me, where I want to share Nepal’s culture, food, and place for a wider audience”.
Viewing the workplace module through a GenZ lens reveals a generation driven to work by its values, purpose, curiosity, and creativity. Rather than simply seeking a job, they look for work that aligns with their hope and identity, which becomes powerful for personal changes.