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What Gen Zs in Malaysia want from their careers

If you're looking to engage with the incoming Generation Z before they join the workforce, you should know that a "unique career path" is important to them, but their definition of success lies in a "high salary."

That was one of the suggestions from a study conducted by INTI International Universities and Colleges, which interviewed more than 500 Gen Z respondents (those born between 1995 and 2009) throughout Malaysia.

More than four out of 10 (42%) of respondents stated they want to do something completely new when making career choices, while 37% hoped to turn their hobbies into a profession.

On the other hand, 31% of those polled said they wished to be entrepreneurs in the future.

“As a nation, we should be pleased that Gen Z is a generation that wants to be its own GPS," Rohit Sharma, CEO of INTI International Universities and Colleges, said.

"They are self-starters, wanting to be entrepreneurs to carve out their own unique career path. They are hungry to acquire skills such as creativity, time management, problem solving, teamwork and leadership.” 

ALSO READ: How to manage local Gen Y and Gen Z

To acquire such skills, their top concern for the moment is to find a good job (56%).

Another 44% admitted they were worried about being accepted into a reputable higher education institute, while a similar 42% said their family’s financial situation concerned them.

Perhaps this could explain why, when it came to success, Gen Zs viewed it as someone who earns a high salary (75%). For 69% of respondents, success was also synonymous with being happy with oneself and being healthy.

Another 60% stated a successful life meant being able to enjoy one's career.

Employers wishing to engage with the generation should consider social networking tools, as Facebook (92%), WeChat (70%), YouTube (66%), WhatsApp (66%) and Google+ (33%) were respondents' top five choices.

Sharma pointed out that in the past there was a clear divide between the virtual and real world.

"The Gen Z study reveals that those lines are blurring, which then presents new opportunities for key stakeholders including parents, educators, businesses and policy makers to engage with this generation," he added.

Image: Shutterstock

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