Zety, a resume templates service, has released the findings of its Gen Z Reroute Report—a national survey of 1,000 Gen Z employees uncovering how artificial intelligence is reshaping early-career decision-making.
The data paints a sharp picture of a generation in transition: Gen Z workers are questioning the value of college, rethinking corporate paths, and increasingly considering hands-on, AI-resistant careers. As traditional pipelines feel less secure, many are actively rerouting their careers—switching industries, upskilling, and turning to trade work—solidifying their role as the Reroute Generation.
Key Findings:
Degrees don’t feel like a safety net anymore. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Gen Z say a college degree won’t protect them from AI-related job loss.
Confidence in career longevity is slipping. Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) have little to no faith that their current career path will remain relevant over the next 10 years.
AI is actively reshaping Gen Z’s career decisions. 43% have already changed or adjusted their career plans because of AI’s growing influence.
Trade work is becoming a serious option. More than half of Gen Z workers (53%) say they’re now seriously considering blue-collar or skilled trade work.
65% of Gen Z Concerned Over AI Consider Switch to Trade Career
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Zety, a resume templates service, has released the findings of its Gen Z Reroute Report—a national survey of 1,000 Gen Z employees uncovering how artificial intelligence is reshaping early-career decision-making.
The data paints a sharp picture of a generation in transition: Gen Z workers are questioning the value of college, rethinking corporate paths, and increasingly considering hands-on, AI-resistant careers. As traditional pipelines feel less secure, many are actively rerouting their careers—switching industries, upskilling, and turning to trade work—solidifying their role as the Reroute Generation.
Key Findings:
Degrees don’t feel like a safety net anymore. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Gen Z say a college degree won’t protect them from AI-related job loss. Confidence in career longevity is slipping. Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) have little to no faith that their current career path will remain relevant over the next 10 years.
AI is actively reshaping Gen Z’s career decisions. 43% have already changed or adjusted their career plans because of AI’s growing influence.
Trade work is becoming a serious option. More than half of Gen Z workers (53%) say they’re now seriously considering blue-collar or skilled trade work.
I think flexibility has become the name of the game. No secure retirement or future free from war, climate catastrophe or social injustices just reshape how people play.
I’m on the brink of gen z and gen y, and my circle of friends and I have all had very chaotic lives and career paths since every few years a once in a century event derails everything.
That’s why I’m very sceptical of people who stick to long term plans and especially corporations. You. Cannot. Trust. Them.
If these young people think trades will save them from AI they are being sold a lie.
If AI does absolutely ravage white collar jobs, because it can do the same work for cheaper, it will have tons of knock on effects that will absolutely affect trade jobs.
I have a white collar job now, but I’ve worked trades, doing roofing, carpentry, plumbing, and masonry work.
The trades sucked donkey balls. Worse than retail, about the same as customer service, worse than the military, and way worse than white collar work. Some weeks may be 60+ hours, others could be 20. Bosses looking to screw you over. You’d better own your own business at some point or you are going to stay poor if you stay in the trades.
Those kids are in for a rude awakening, enjoy digging ditches for 12 an hour if you’re not near a city.
We should all be *so grateful* to the billionaire oligarchs for deciding which jobs will still exist in the future.
Also trade in only decent in states that have unions.
If humanoid robots can do cartwheels and laundry in 2025 why they hell can’t they do every trade in 5-10 years time??
The future honestly is bleak for us , corporations are pouring billions to create ai tech and the basic selling point of ai is to reduce human labour , this will ultimately create huge wealth gaps with a tiny minority gaining more and more control while the rest will simply suffer