Gen Z Rejects 9-5 Jobs, Start Business And Aims To Be Their Own Boss!

Gen Z Rejects 9-5 Jobs

Confident and digitally adept, Gen Z is poised to surpass millennials in entrepreneurial ambition. A recent poll highlights a growing trend of young people opting to start their own businesses rather than work for others. Research conducted by Santander UK found that three-quarters of Gen Z aspire to "be their own boss" and are not planning to work a traditional nine-to-five job throughout their careers. 77 percent of them are confident in their ability to launch and run a successful business, with 39 percent believing they could do so entirely through their smartphone.

Half of those surveyed stated that Gen Z and Millennials have an advantage in starting a business due to their upbringing in the digital era. In contrast, 34 percent of Gen X and Baby Boomers felt there were fewer opportunities for entrepreneurship in their youth, as societal pressures leaned more toward pursuing conventional education and career paths.

"Gen Z is proving to be the most entrepreneurial generation yet, and this is no accident. Unlike previous generations, they’ve grown up immersed in the digital age, where access to information, tools, and global connections is just a click away," said Sam Jones, founder of Gener8 and star of Dragon's Den. "This exposure has cultivated a mindset focused on innovation and agility. With their deep understanding of the digital landscape, they're not only prepared to start their own ventures but are also uniquely positioned to outpace previous generations in turning their ideas into reality."

Mike Regnier, CEO of Santander UK, added, "It’s clear that digitally savvy Gen Z has a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit, but the qualities needed for success aren’t confined to age. Entrepreneurship is driven by passion, curiosity, and the desire to create something meaningful. Some develop these traits early, often inspired by a need to solve a problem, while others may find their business drive later in life, perhaps after identifying a market gap."

The survey of 2,000 adults found that while Gen Z and Millennials are often seen as the most entrepreneurial, success is not limited by age. This year, Santander received over 850 business applications for their awards, with Gen Z making up two-thirds of the applicants. The top 100 shortlisted businesses span a variety of sectors, including healthcare, sustainability, AI, and technology.