Gen Z, Like Every Other Generation Had, "Faces Career Apocalypse" - They Should Had Started Businesses in the Dorm, But ...

When the brutal recession hit in the mid-1970s, boomers were said to face a career apocalypse. And, believe me we feared that ourselves. 

Then Gen X were told they would never be able to take hold of professional success because they were slackers. 

Millennials were said to be doomed because they were the impatient gen which job-hopped way too much as their career lost focus.

Now, as if it is a new finding BusinessInsider headlines with: 

"Gen Z facing career apocalypse"

The article trots out all the usual suspects. They range from the severe economic uncertainty which has halted organizations from hiring to the purging of federal jobs to the business model of cost-efficiency. 

There also could be grim outcomes for those who took refuge in graduate-degree programs and professional schools such as law. About the latter: In three years when they graduate generative AI could already be reconfiguring manpower demands. And not in their favor.

Law firm Cleary has acquired an AI enterprise. Chair of law firm Paul Weiss Brad Karp projected the possible elimination of some junior lawyer jobs because of AI. Meanwhile the organization is bulking up on hiring technologists and data scientists.

But, all is not lost for Gen Z. 

Unfortunately, they are open for work because they didn't start up businesses in the dorm.  If they had they'd be growing those businesses now and not be on the job market. Or they would have landed a job because they have real-world experience in business because of the startup, even if it had eventually failed.

Those who didn't start a business in the dorm can do that in their bedroom in their parents' house or, like Matt Drudge, in a cramped studio apartment. 

The necessary ingredient is the concept that fills a gap. What is needed or wanted that doesn't exist? 

In that classic on entrepreneurship "Zero to One" co-creator of Paypal Peter Thiel warned against chasing after the next Facebook. That's already there. Come up with something else. 

Founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg, in the Harvard dorm, spotted the need for a way students at that school could communicate easily with one another. Then he went to it.

In an O'Dwyer Public Relations webinar tomorrow I will talk about this option - actually for not only the young but also for those over-50. Both parts of the labor market continuum "Have Nowhere To Go." 

A psychotherapist who refers her Gen Z clients to me for career guidance balks at the idea of youth's just jumping in with a startup, without any actual work experience. For example, they don't know business models or managing growth.

My response: They learn. 

And there are so many free resources for that. Just post a question or concern on professional anonymous networks like Reddit and Fishbowl. There'll be broad-based and caring responses. The Society of Retired Executives (SCORE) is free. SCORE guided me about how to structure my enterprises. Experienced entrepreneurs will usually be available. Just ask. And for 20 bucks a month Deep Research at OpenAI will provide intel and insight. 

Are we entering another Golden Age of The Entrepreneur in America? It looks like it has to be that way if human beings intend to make a good living.

Need help sorting out how to make a living? Complimentary consultation with intuitive coach Jane Genova (text 203-468-8579, email janegenova374@gmail.com).