A recent report reveals that Gen Z individuals are leveraging TikTok to advance their careers, shedding light on the platform’s profound impact on the aspirations of the younger generation.
In a survey conducted by EduBirdie among 2,000 Gen Z respondents in the United States, a staggering 70% indicated that they turn to TikTok for valuable career guidance.
Despite the desire of many young individuals to not pursue TikTok fame, EduBirdie emphasized the platform’s significant role in shaping career trajectories. Interestingly, the report unveiled that 25% of Gen Z participants credited TikTok for contributing to salary increases, while 23% attributed it to helping them secure employment opportunities.
However, the report also highlights instances where TikTok’s influence isn’t entirely beneficial. Alarmingly, over a quarter (28%) of Gen Z respondents admitted to encountering work-related issues due to their TikTok activity, with 15% receiving reprimands and 13% facing termination as a consequence.
Furthermore, 11% of respondents reported facing work-related repercussions after being misled by misinformation on TikTok, inadvertently sharing inaccurate information learned from content creators on the platform.
28% of Gen Z respondents admitted to encountering work-related issues due to their TikTok activity
Avery Morgan, Chief Communications Officer at EduBirdie, offered advice to young individuals, urging them to avoid falling victim to misinformation and stressing the importance of fact-checking and critically evaluating online content.
The meteoric rise of TikTok since its inception in 2016 has left a profound impact on Gen Z individuals as they navigate career choices. The EduBirdie report highlights that 51% of Gen Z participants view becoming a TikTok influencer as a viable long-term career option, underscoring the allure of online stardom among younger demographics.
However, contrary to assumptions, the majority of Gen Z individuals are not solely motivated by fame. More than three in five (64%) respondents cited the flexibility associated with social media success as the primary appeal, echoing findings from previous research emphasizing the importance of work-life balance and flexibility in career decisions among younger generations.
Morgan emphasized that the aspiration for internet fame is unsurprising given the exposure Gen Z individuals have to the lavish lifestyles of their favorite online personalities. However, Morgan cautioned against blindly believing online information, emphasizing the potential pitfalls of uncritical consumption of TikTok content on career prospects.
