Seattle Culture
Gen Z Survey Reveals Shifts in Thinking
Seattle companies lose influence as health care takes the top spot
By Rob Smith August 2, 2024
Working at Amazon, Microsoft or Starbucks apparently isn’t as appealing as it once was.
The 2024 Career Interest Survey from the National Society of High School Scholars — an academic honor society — surveyed more than 10,000 members of Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) about their career aspirations, and found that interest in those three iconic Seattle companies is slipping.
Amazon fell to No. 8 from No. 5 in 2022, while Microsoft and Starbucks also declined. Starbucks fell from No. 16 to No. 32.
The survey hit four themes: career aspirations and employer preferences; social and political engagement; student debt; and perspectives on AI. It’s a fascinating look at the values held by younger members of our society (those between the ages of 11 and 27).
Hospitals earned many of the top spots for future employment, with St. Jude’s Hospital at No. 1 and the Mayo Clinic No. 2, as health care-related issues have surpassed human rights as key concerns. Interestingly, interest in science and technology fell from 34% to 28%.
The survey says: “Participants reported their career choice was influenced by their personal experience with health-related issues (18%), racial inequality (15%), bullying and/or gender inequality (both at 14%), or any of many other issues.”
It’s worth noting that “Gen Z is known for their passion when it comes to political issues,” with the economy, social and civil rights, and government corruption as top issues. Four in 10 say they’ll vote for a candidate based on climate change only.
It’s easy to dismiss surveys like this as merely aspirational, but these young people will increasingly move into positions of power as they get older. We should all listen.
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