Have you ever found yourself with an opinion so strongly different from everybody else in the room? Well, my first post is inspired by one of these moments on the topic: Who are Gen Z High Schoolers.
Gen Z is more than young people born between 1997 and 2007. Gen Z is different. They do not want to be placed in a box. They are more likely to defy labels. They are here to challenge your perspective of the world. Gen Z is reimagining, creating, and has a want for new norms around personal activism, wellness, and success.
They are the future of our world, and as high school students, they are on the cusp of adulthood. It's easy to look at Gen Z statics and see just numbers. However, there is so much more to this generation than that.
Having worked on past academic papers and with researchers, I can understand how easy it is to look at data sets and get into a routine organizing raw data into ways more easily digestible to setup for analysis. However, I just think we need to look at the numbers different, or recognize that traditional stats may not no longer be the preferred to uncovering new findings. Because, let me tell you, when you talk to high schoolers, they do not introduce themselves by their grades, ethnicity, or family income status.
It is important to understand that Gen Z high schoolers are authentic, or, at least, on the search for their calling. They come from all walks of life, have a new level of global awareness, and a need to be true to oneself. This diversity is one of the things that makes Gen Z such a special generation. They bring a wealth of perspectives and ideas to the table, and they are not afraid to speak out and challenge the status quo.
One of the most common misconceptions about Gen Z high schoolers is that they are lazy students. The truth is they are not lazy, but some are unmotivated to learn solely for the purpose of only getting the “A”. That is why it is so important for us to show this upcoming generation how their interests are applied in the world around them as they become active members of both the local and global community.
Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing what I have learned from Gen Z as I continue building a company they love. Crazy to think there are 1.2 billion Gen Zers globally (UN Population Division). Some, high achievers driven by fear of not being enough. Others, driven by an obligation to help save the world, and focused on being the best for the love of it.