Gen Z side hustles
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The days of quiet quitting are over. Gen Z is navigating today's tough job market with side gigs.
Why it matters: Utah has the youngest population of any state, and over half of Gen Z (57%) now have side gigs, compared to 21% of boomers and older, according to The Harris Poll, which dubbed them "America's first true 'side hustle' generation."
The big picture: Younger people "want to work [and] find success, but many of them just feel disillusioned with the opportunities to get there through the traditional career ladder," Glassdoor chief economist Daniel Zhao tells Axios.
Between the lines: Most are picking up side hustles, from retail to gig work, for extra cash, Zhao says.
- Some are chasing creative or entrepreneurial goals. Meanwhile, AI and other tech advances have made it easier for professionals to monetize their skills and passions.
State of play: Workers feel anxious. Recent graduates are struggling to secure jobs, and those with them aren't seeing the career growth they expect, Zhao says.
- College students' financial optimism has fallen to the lowest level since tracking began in 2018 — largely due to concerns about unemployment and "AI-induced layoffs," Morning Consult survey data shows.
Reality check: Plenty of younger people still aspire to climb the corporate ranks.
- The share of Gen Z entering management is similar to previous generations when they were the same age, a 2024 Glassdoor analysis found.