According to Warnes, there are a number of overall, general traits that distinguish this generation of graduates from their predecessors.
“They’re so much more aware than my generation was of ethical issues,” she says. “They will ask questions about things at a deeper level. If I was giving advice to companies, it would be around how well the companies are communicating their ethical position.”
She points out that students are, for instance, often interested in finding out who owns multinational companies, where investments are made, what the labour chain is, and what their environmental impact is. “They’re very interested in justice and equity,” Warnes says.
She adds that Generation Z workers also are looking for jobs that nourish the soul.
“They’re looking for fulfilment – not necessarily financial. Obviously, that’s important to some, but I think the whole well-being agenda is so much higher profile for this generation than it might have been before,” she says.