Who are Generation Z? This is everything you need to know about the post-Millennials

I CAN’T remember a world without the internet. Growing up, it was among the certain facts of life: the US President was black, messaging was instant (hello MSN) and Google could tell me anything. But who are we - Generation Z - really? I find out...

I CAN’T remember a world without the internet.

In fact, growing up, it was among the certain facts of life: the US President was black, messaging was instant (hello MSN) and Google could tell me anything I wanted in a matter of clicks.

People my age - born roughly between the years 1995-2010 - are often tacked onto the back of the ‘Millennials’, but we are indeed a generation of our own: Gen Z (our name, for now, until someone posthumously coins a better term).

Say hello to Generation Z.

Where milennials were digital pioneers, we were digital natives; and unlike our predecessors who lived through 9/11 and two recessions, we had our eyes open from the beginning, coming along in the era of the war on terror.

But who are we really?

I attempt to find out.

TECHNOLOGY IS A WAY OF LIFE

Generation Z takes in information instantaneously - and loses interest just as fast.

Publicist Karleigh Pearson, 21, is among the first Generation Z-ers to enter the workforce and says “all things digital come naturally” to her.

“I’m always on the computer or on my phone,” she says.

“I feel like my job is my life in a way so I’m always connected to something, I’m never not on my phone.

“If you needed to reach me, even in the middle of the night, I would probably answer.

“I got my first phone (a pink, Motorolla flip) at age 11 and I don’t think I’ve put one down ever since.”

In fact, immediate connection is so important that a study last year found 40 per cent of Generation Z said working Wi-Fi was more important to them than working bathrooms.

Kirsty Mitchell, director of Bond University’s Career Development Centre, has been communicating with young people for two decades and recognises some generational differences.

Karleigh Pearson 21 of Hope Island is a member of Generation Z. Picture Mike Batterham

“Generation Z are very transactional and need everything to be quick,” she says.

“I don’t think any generation does patience very well but this group have grown up with instantaneous ‘everything’ so if the internet is down they don’t know what to do.

“These kids have always had ‘hacks’ for everything, but the reality is there is no hack for career or relationship building. There are certain things you can’t shortcut.”

HOLLYWOOD IS OUT, INFLUENCERS ARE IN

Members of Generation Z are more likely to watch YouTube videos or Netflix than TV and unlike prior generations who idolised movie stars and had dreams of making it as a rock star, today’s teens fawn over digital influencers who made a name for themselves on social platforms.

“If you needed to reach me, even in the middle of the night, I would probably answer.” Picture Mike Batterham

When university student Ashley Pillhofer, 19, was growing up, Brisbane-based Instagram influencer Shani Grimmond (who boasts $1.2m followers) was like “the girl next door”.

“She was just this girl from Brisbane, like any of your friends,” Ms Pillhoffer says.

“I think influencers are becoming a bigger part of people’s lives, maybe more than movie stars or singers.”

Shani Grimmond and John Sauer at the Pacific Fair Magic Millions polo. Picture: Tim Marsden

A Google study revealed 73 per cent of Gen Z-ers “feel close” to YouTube influencers and 40 per cent say their favorite YouTuber understands them better than their real-life friends .

A frightening but powerful statistic.

DIFFERENT WORK AND CAREER ATTITUDES

Like the generation who came before us, we’re entrepreneurial and evidently less likely to wait patiently for a promotion while “paying our dues” as was traditionally required.

Aspiring CEO Kane Millard, 19, has just returned from five months living in Portugal

“My family all moved, but it was only meant to be for a month,” he says.

“I ended up staying for five months; I wouldn’t call it backpacking because I had a house but I travelled around and learnt the language.

“I want to be bilingual … two languages looks good on a resume.”

With aspirations to helm a large company, Mr Milard says members of Generation Z can “advance quickly” in the workplace.

“You don’t have to start in the mailroom anymore,” he says.

“Once you’ve got the degree you can advance quickly … we have all these tools like LinkedIn that can help you connect with people in business that are at the top.”

Last year, 71 per cent of Generation Z said they believed the phrase “if you want it done right, then do it yourself.”

“I’m not really into team work – it sounds bad – but I can do something to the best of my abilities by myself,” Mr Millard says.

“I definitely think people our age are more independent when it comes to working.”

Ms Mitchell of Bond University says there is increased “fragility” when it comes to rejection or failure for Generation Z.

“We have students that apply for three jobs and come to us saying ‘I feel exhausted’,” she says.

Members of Generation Z are more likely to watch Netflix than TV

“In a world where you can find whatever you need in three (internet) searches, a lot of these kids haven’t known real struggle (or) realised that it’s OK to fail.

“They definitely have a hunger for growth and they’re very ambitious. I think they’re also realising that you’re not valued for your degree, rather that application of knowledge and how you can use your degree as a problem solving tool.”

NON-LINEAR TRAJECTORIES

Generation Z grew up witnessing start-up companies make it big instantly whether it be local business Hi Smie or Mark Zuckerberg in his hoodie and sneakers promoting Facebook.

Gone are the days of wanting to work at a fast-food joint, when being an ‘influencer’ or running a start up looks so appealing.

Portia Large goes for a sunrise surf at Mermaid Beach. Photo Luke Marsden

One Gold Coaster, Portia Large, 23, is even writing a book on the topic.

“Flexibility is this huge buzzword and everybody is upskilling to the point we’re going to have an overskilled workforce full of people with aspirations to do nothing,” Ms Large says.

“People are just chasing ‘Instagram fame’ which isn’t even real.”

Ms Large says the book, which will be released at the end of this year, is called Screenagers.

“Something is wrong with the way life is organised: the frantic pace we keep, the disconnected communities and excessive indoor screen time,” she says.

“That keeps us from being as happy and as healthy as we can be.

“The strands of ‘Screenagers’ have been knitted together from my life experiences, upbringing and research.”

Portia Large is writing a book on Generation Z

It is also believed that Generation Z will explore alternative higher education opportunities.

Carlen Murphy, 17, is currently taking a gap year rather than the ‘traditional” university route.

“I’m on a gap year (because) I’ve heard so many stories of people jumping into degrees without knowing what they actually want to do and wasting a lot of money,” she says.

“I think there’s less pressure now than there used to be on kids going to university … but I think the down side is that younger (Gen Z-ers) have career aspirations to become a YouTuber or an ‘influencer’.

“There’s definitely an expiry date on a job like that, it’s not sustainable.”