Gen Z is the Last of the Least: The Struggles and Stresses of the Unhappiest Generation

The struggle is real for Gen Z – a generation torn between the new, overly-saturated digital age their lives were born into, and their lack of economic freedom. This is the generation whose motto is "do it for the gram" as ironic as it may seem to their parents and other generations, financial instability and inadequacy frequently inhibit any progress made that would align with such a phrase. The biggest issue Gen Z is facing is unhappiness at work and career satisfaction. Despite often being touted as the "generation of opportunity," where there is one opportunity there are millions more just waiting to snatch it away. With advancement in technology comes faster ways that companies can replace an employee who may be lagging behind and quicker searches for higher qualifications. This unfortunately leaves a lot of young adults feeling inadequate – unable to find the job or career that reflects their scope of work or offers financial stability or success.

Aside from the obvious benefits of having a job and steady money income, there should also be a sense of fulfillment when it comes to career prospects – which many in their twenties lack. Because of this problem, Gen Z'ers feel like they're due some sort of revenge. They are often overworked and underpaid, yet stuck in positions with no room for growth or progression, so it's no wonder that almost half of young adults aged 18-34 in the US have reported feeling unfulfilled in their jobs. Young adults are increasingly building career's built around side hustles; whether it be freelance writing, coding, web design or anything else people can develop their skills around. Unfortunately one thing these alternate revenue streams lack is stability; there will be bouts of burstiness of revenue followed by long periods of drought, no matter how skilled you may be.

The bleak employment prospects in today's economy have left Gen Z feeling powerless; applying for countless jobs yet receiving no response more often than they want them to. Applying for a job is often a laborious task yet many receive rejection after rejection despite trying as hard as they can to express themselves clearly in order to land interviews. A survey from 2018 found that 29% of employers do not respond to potential job applications, adding even more disappointment for the younger generation and furthering the feelings of demoralization about work. Furthermore, when young adults finally do manage to land a job, it carries such poor wages it discourages them from wanting to leave the unemployment line. And if Gen Z does manage to escape poverty and land a well-paying job, there is no satisfaction. It serves as another reminder that prospects are limited, that there are not enough opportunities to reach their aspirations and goals.

It's a vicious cycle that leaves many millennials and gen z-ers feeling trapped. For this unhappiest generation, life has never been easy but no matter what they turn too, a proverbial wall blocks them from getting ahead. When it comes to searching for jobs and internships, those without experience are immediately edged out by competition – roles available in certain industries create a sense of small victories after hard work applied in vain. But this simply isn't enough for this lost generation who want nothing more than an escape route from financial restrictions and rigid ideals that dictate every part of their lives.

Unfortunately, there has been little genuine progress made in removing any sort of generational stigma attached to Gen Z when it comes to finding jobs either. Employers often favor tenured candidates over those who are younger - someone who looks like a seasoned veteran on paper will always be chosen over a fresh graduate. Even though society typically celebrates those who break molds with creative ideas – ideas such as daring startups or radical thoughts – Gen Z often feels discouraged in believing their voice matters just because of their age. With all these issues compounding onto one another, it's no surprise why Gen Z is known as the least happy generation at work.