Many young people today doubt their career choices. Even 20 years ago, there were these concerns. Steve Jobs told students back then that the search for the right job is particularly important. Because work will accompany you for half of your life.
Many young people are dissatisfied with their work and would prefer to quit immediately. But the feeling of dissatisfaction has occupied young people for many years and is not just a feature of Generation Z. Steve Jobs already stated many years ago to students that one should not hold on to a bad job.
What advice did Steve Jobs have? In a speech he gave at the Stanford University graduation ceremony in California in 2005, Steve Jobs explained that one should search for the right job until they truly find it.
Because work would fill most of life, and one should be happy with what they do for half of their life. He said to the students (YouTube.com):
Your work will fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.
If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking and don’t settle for less. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.
The anecdote about Steve Jobs is meant to remind young people that the pursuit of a fulfilling job is the recipe for lasting success.
The job market has become significantly more challenging for young people than it was 20 years ago
What does it look like currently? The Generation Z is currently facing the challenge that many companies are now relying on AI, resulting in the elimination of entry-level jobs. For example, the Wall Street Journal (may be paywalled) reports that several companies have eliminated their entry programs: Instead of onboarding young talents, they rely on efficient AI solutions or experienced professionals.
A situation that even Steve Jobs could not have anticipated. The problem currently is primarily that many young people lack the classic start: a job where they can gain experience, grow, and develop. Instead, many young people find themselves confronted right after university with a job market that doesn’t even welcome them. Additionally, they are faced with the reality that they are just one of many also looking for jobs.
A study has examined the job market in the USA. It concludes that one in ten workers could be replaced by AI. This further increases the pressure on employees who already fear being replaced by AI: Researchers confirm what many people fear: AI can easily replace one in ten jobs
