We used to think of work as a ladder: climb each rung, stay loyal, retire comfortably. Gen Z isn’t buying that narrative.
Born between 1997 and 2012, the first digital-native generation is now the fastest-growing segment of the global workforce. According to Zurich Insurance, they’ll make up 27% of it by the end of 2025. They’ve already passed Baby Boomers in sheer numbers—and more importantly, in influence. But Gen Z isn’t just joining the economy. They’re reshaping it with intention, clarity, and conviction.
And if you're wondering where this new mindset starts? It begins before the first job offer. It starts with how Gen Z approaches school, learning, and what they value most in their launch into adulthood. That’s why Eclipse exists.
Ask a Gen Zer what they want from work, and you'll likely hear this: impact, alignment, and flexibility. A paycheck matters, but meaning matters more. The 2024 Deloitte Global Gen Z Survey found that 86% of Gen Z considers a sense of purpose essential to job satisfaction, and 44% are willing to reject employers who don’t align with their values—even in a tough job market.
They’re not chasing empty prestige. They want to work with mission-driven teams solving real-world problems. That’s why traditional education pathways often feel disconnected. Why spend four years and rack up debt for a degree that doesn’t lead to change?
Eclipse helps students build the kind of credential that does—fast, affordable, and aligned with their future.
Gen Z is vocal. They're not afraid to walk away from workplaces—or schools—that don’t reflect their values. Pew Research found that 70% of Gen Z would take a lower salary to work for a more ethical company. Compare that to Millennials (58%) or Gen X (47%), and the shift is clear.
This generation expects transparency. Mental health policies matter. DEI initiatives matter. Climate action, civic responsibility, flexibility—all non-negotiables. It’s why Eclipse doesn’t just prepare students to “get a job.” We help them design a path that reflects who they are and how they want to contribute.
This values-first mindset comes with trade-offs. Gen Z is not known for sticking around. Deloitte found that nearly half would leave a job within two years if it lacks purpose or work-life balance. That’s not flakiness—it’s discernment.
Many are willing to pivot, freelance, or build something on their own. Some pursue side hustles to express creativity or gain autonomy. A 2023 Handshake study revealed 41% of Gen Z values side hustles as a form of freedom over corporate ladder-climbing.
They aren’t anti-ambition. They’re just ambitious on their terms.
But the pressure is real. Between student debt, housing costs, and economic instability, Gen Z is carrying a heavy load. Deloitte reports that 40% feel stressed most of the time, with work being a top cause. Only 51% rate their mental health as good or excellent—a noticeable drop from older generations.
When the gap between values and reality widens, disillusionment grows. Gallup’s 2024 data shows Gen Z’s engagement at work is just 35%, trailing Millennials and Gen X. Worse, 1 in 4 would quit without another job lined up.
This isn’t a generation giving up—it’s a generation refusing to compromise.
Flexibility isn’t about laziness. It’s about sustainability. Gen Z overwhelmingly prefers hybrid or remote models. LinkedIn’s 2024 survey found 72% have left or considered leaving a job over lack of flexibility. Deloitte reports 63% prefer hybrid work, valuing control over time and space.
At Eclipse, we reflect this too. Learning should fit your life, not the other way around. Whether it’s asynchronous coursework, self-paced degree paths, or modular certifications, we help students build autonomy before they even hit the workforce.
Career paths used to be linear. Now, they look more like constellations—freelance gigs, creator work, remote jobs, startup roles, nonprofit missions. Gen Z is designing a mosaic of work that reflects their values and evolves over time.
Only 38% of Gen Z prioritize promotions, compared to 52% of Millennials in 2014. But 70% still expect a promotion within 18 months, according to Ripplematch. This isn’t contradiction—it’s calibration. Gen Z wants progress, but not at the cost of freedom, identity, or mental health.
If Gen Z is redefining work, Eclipse is redefining how they get there. We believe college doesn’t need to take four years. Learning should be personalized, goal-oriented, and debt-free.
Our mission is to equip the next generation with the tools to move fast, stay grounded, and own their path. Not just to jobs—but to impact, clarity, and freedom.
This is Gen Z’s era.
They’re not entering the system.
They’re redesigning it.
And Eclipse is right there with them.
We are just as embarrassed as a waiter who just said “Enjoy your meal” and got hit with a “You too.”