Future of Work: Gen Z Career Advice & Support

If you’d asked a teenager in 2014 what they wanted to be when they grew up, you’d have probably heard the usual suspects—doctor, lawyer, teacher, maybe an engineer if they were feeling particularly ambitious. Fast forward to today, and some of the fastest-growing jobs weren’t even a twinkle in anyone’s eye back then. Let’s be honest—how many parents a decade ago were encouraging their kids to become TikTok content strategists or AI prompt engineers?

The world of work is changing faster than a teenager’s mood swings, and for many Gen Zers, that uncertainty can be paralysing. As a parent, it’s natural to worry when your child seems to lack motivation or direction. But part of the problem is that they’re trying to fit into an outdated career mould. The good news? There’s a way to help them navigate this shifting landscape with confidence.

Jobs That Weren’t a Thing a Decade Ago

Thanks to technology, automation, and social change, entire industries have sprung up that didn’t even exist ten years ago. Here are just a few of today’s hottest (and let’s be honest, slightly baffling) career options:

• AI Prompt Engineer – Basically, someone who teaches AI how to be less... well, robotic.

• Sustainability Manager – Saving the planet, one corporate policy at a time.

• VR Experience Designer – Creating mind-blowing virtual worlds for work, play, and everything in between.

• Remote Work Coordinator – Because managing Zoom fatigue is now an actual job.

• TikTok/Short-Form Video Strategist – Turning cat videos and dance trends into marketing gold.

According to the World Economic Forum, 65% of children in primary school today will eventually work in jobs that don’t even exist yet. That’s a terrifying thought—but also kind of exciting. The trick is to help your child embrace that uncertainty rather than fear it.

The Classic “Stuck” Gen Z Graduate Story

Take Sarah. She’s 23, has a degree in business, and is feeling completely lost. She picked her course because it seemed like a sensible choice, but now she’s stuck in an endless cycle of half-hearted job applications and existential dread. Meanwhile, her parents are quietly wondering if they’ve raised an underachiever.

But here’s the thing—Sarah isn’t lazy or unmotivated. She just doesn’t know what’s possible or where to start. And let’s face it, it’s hard to get excited about a future when no one has given you a map to navigate it.

How Career Coaching Can Save the Day (and Your Sanity)

This is where career coaching comes in. Unlike traditional careers advice—which still assumes the world works the way it did in the 90s—career coaching helps young people identify their strengths, explore new opportunities, and build skills that actually matter in today’s job market.

Through a structured coaching programme, they can:

• Get clear on their values and career goals (beyond just “make loads of money”).

• Discover new and emerging career paths that suit their unique skills and interests.

• Learn practical, real-world skills like networking, personal branding, and how to actually land a job.

• Shift from passively applying for jobs to actively creating opportunities.

Final Thoughts: The Future is Wide Open

Here’s the key takeaway for parents: your child’s career path won’t look like yours—and that’s a good thing. The job market is evolving, and adaptability is their biggest asset.

By helping them explore new possibilities and investing in proper career guidance, you’re giving them the best possible start. Who knows—ten years from now, they might be working in a job that hasn’t even been invented yet. And hey, at least you’ll be able to say you saw it coming!