Generation Z wants to outsmart AI. Goal: work and earn more

In a time when artificial intelligence can replace many professions, Generation Z representatives have a new idea for finding and keeping a job and better earnings. What is it?

Finished your studies and having trouble finding a job? Threats from all sides that artificial intelligence will take your position? Young employees have a way to deal with this. They choose physical work, among other things, because of better prospects and higher earnings , but also a lower risk of being replaced by AI .

According to a new report from Resume Builder , a whopping 42 percent of Gen Z adults work or plan to work in a skilled trade. A whopping 37 percent of them have college degrees.

“More and more Generation Z college graduates are choosing careers in the skilled trades, and for good reason,” says Stacie Haller , the company’s chief career adviser.

Illustrative photo / photo: Unsplash, Steve Lieman

Young people fear that artificial intelligence will replace traditional office jobs, while jobs that require physical labor require direct involvement and are more difficult to automate.

Young people with higher education also see that their diploma does not translate into work , which encourages them to look for more practical career paths.

The Z students who decided to work in physical labor after graduation cited better long-term prospects (30 percent), the lack of opportunities to find a job in their profession (19 percent) and insufficient earnings (16 percent) as reasons for their decision.

Illustrative photo / photo: Unsplash, Aminoz Acid

Young workers also value greater flexibility , independence , high demand for technical professions and a lower risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence .

For Gen Zers without a college degree, manual labor is a path to financial independence . They see it as a way to earn more quickly and with less risk of automation.

What do you think? Is this a good direction? Will manual and craft work actually become a kind of safe haven for Generation Z ?