Faces of the Partner: Generation Z and the Channel

If you’re an elder Millennial or a Baby Boomer wondering where the time has gone, you may find it hard to imagine that people born between the late 1990s and early 2000s — Generation Z — are now your peers in the workforce.

But they are, and Gen Z is already making an impact.

According to a study by Deloitte, Gen Zers have the ability to demand “greater personalization in how they move along their career journey.” This will require employers to change their mindsets when it comes to the programs required to retain and attract talent.

Additionally, Gen Zers are among the most diverse in U.S. history and expect work environments to reflect that diversity. But don’t take our word for it. Channel Futures interviewed four Gen Zers currently employed or serving as interns within the IT channel and many echoed that sentiment. One said that “sustainability, inclusion and diversity” are elements that are part of any thriving business.

That’s not all, of course. These employees suggested some things older generations might expect from the younger crowd. There’s the point of view among the Gen Zers we interviewed that they’ve cornered the market on technology prowess. This makes for an interesting premise, as many Millennials, Generation Xers and Baby Boomers working within the channel have robust technology skills. The nature of their jobs requires it.

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Hubris aside, there’s much Gen Zers can learn from older adults within the industry, including defining what the channel is. Several acknowledged a learning curve when it came to understanding how the channel works, but some said they could see themselves working in it for the long haul.

And what else can the younger generation learn from their older peers in the channel?