For generations, the career formula seemed straightforward: study first, start working, and build experience over time. However, as Generation Z and Generation Alpha enter a rapidly changing workforce, this sequence is becoming less clear-cut.
Today’s young professionals are entering careers through varied routes, including starting jobs early, balancing work and study, postponing employment to travel, or resuming education later in life. This flexibility has raised questions about whether the order of studying versus working still holds significance.
Exploring the traditional path
Alan Tan, the APAC HR Director at IHI Asia Pacific, argues that the conventional route of earning a degree before joining the workforce is no longer the sole viable path. Some individuals now opt to study while employed, while others prefer accumulating years of experience before pursuing further education.
Tan notes that many Gen Z graduates choose to travel after completing their studies, broadening their outlook before launching their careers. Hands-on experience can also reshape how someone engages with academic learning.
The value of formal qualifications
Tan maintains that formal qualifications remain valuable but insists they are just the starting point. While degrees can open doors, advancing in a career depends on developing skills, gaining experience, and committing to lifelong learning. His own choice to enroll in a master’s program after a decade in HR illustrates this perspective.
Returning to the classroom
Engaging with Gen Z students has given Tan new insights into workplace trends and HR practices. His peers in class demonstrate a keen interest in emerging fields like analytics, artificial intelligence, and specialized roles such as compensation and data-driven decision-making.
Related Post: Companies adapt flexible tech to keep skilled workers engaged
During a class debate on hiring, Tan observed that while traditional methods still emphasize interviews and psychometric tests, his Gen Z classmates stressed the role of cultural fit and interpersonal connections between candidates and teams.
To young professionals starting their careers, Tan offers straightforward guidance: have confidence in your abilities and remain open to exploring new opportunities. Whether entering the workforce first, continuing education, interning, or blending work and study, he insists there is no single blueprint for career success.
As the workforce continues to evolve, it is likely that the most important factor will be a willingness to keep learning and adapting. With skills, technology, and career paths constantly changing, professionals who remain open to new experiences and knowledge will be better equipped to succeed.
Tan identifies adaptability and a thirst for knowledge as the most critical skills for emerging professionals.
Tan emphasizes that ‘the path to achieving your goals is unpredictable.’ This outlook is especially relevant for a generation handling a rapidly shifting job market, where skills, technology, and career trajectories are in constant flux.
Leave a Reply