Is the System Rigged? Gen Z, Nepotism, and the AI Age
Last year, Gallup estimated that low engagement is already costing businesses $9 trillion a year in lost productivity worldwide. If you’re Gen Z, odds are you’ve already realized that “hard work pays off” is often more myth than reality in today’s world.
Nepotism is no longer a side conversation — it’s fast becoming a structural barrier. And even for those who manage to break through, job satisfaction is at an all-time low. Only 31% of workers were engaged at their jobs in 2024, marking the lowest level in over a decade.
The Workplace is Changing — Fast.
The workplace is transforming, but not necessarily in ways that favor younger workers:
- DEI Rollbacks: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives — once touted as pathways to opportunity — are being dismantled. Ironically, many of those criticizing DEI were once its biggest beneficiaries.
- AI Automation: Entry-level jobs, the traditional starting point for most careers, are vanishing. AI is doing the work faster, better, and cheaper.
- Isolation from Remote Work: What was once heralded as a game-changer for flexibility now leaves younger employees feeling disconnected, with fewer chances to build critical mentorship relationships.
Gen Z isn’t “entitled” or “lazy” — they’re realists. They’ve seen their parents slog away in soul-crushing jobs, only to end up with too little to show for it. Why put up with all the BS when even a decade in the workforce won’t guarantee you can afford a down payment, let alone fund your own wedding?
Unless you have rich parents, good luck.
The Nepotism Dilemma
The sad truth is this: unless you have the right connections, a safety net from wealthy parents, or a surname that opens doors, you’re probably starting your career already 10 steps behind. For those without these advantages, even getting a job often feels like an insurmountable task. And let’s not forget — once you’re in, there’s no promise of engagement or satisfaction.
Interestingly, a new study found that Gen Z employees are most likely to benefit from career nepotism — even if they disapprove of it. More than two-thirds of Gen Z have secured job offers through nepotism. Shockingly, 14% of Gen Z nepo workers are in “senior management” roles.
Young professionals are asking themselves hard questions: Why endure the grind if the rewards (a down payment, a wedding, or even a vacation) remain out of reach? Companies rolling back DEI initiatives amplify the disparity, eroding avenues for those who need them the most. Meanwhile, those gaming the system — benefiting from both nepotism and DEI — fuel growing cynicism in the workplace.
The MBA’s Waning Value
Speaking of traditional paths, let’s talk about the MBA. Once seen as a golden ticket, it’s now a risky gamble:
- The ROI Doesn’t Add Up: $200,000+ in tuition, two years of lost salary, and no job guarantee in an AI-dominated world? Hard pass.
- AI Is Eating MBA Jobs: From financial analysis to strategy, AI does it faster, better, and cheaper. Why hire an MBA grad when ChatGPT can handle the workload without complaining?
- Prestige Is Dead: Employers care about outcomes, not where you studied. Harvard or not, if you can’t deliver, you’re out.
🎓 Is a Harvard MBA Still Worth It in 2025? Consider this:
- 22% of Harvard MBA grads couldn’t land a job three months after graduation in 2024.
Employers no longer care about fancy degrees — they want builders, problem-solvers, and doers.
Entrepreneurship: The Only Way Out?
For Gen Z, the only viable path seems to be entrepreneurship — a high-risk, high-reward strategy that feels more like buying a lottery ticket than building a career. But, Let’s be real:
- Real Skills Are a Mirage: The workplace mantra of “learn real skills” is increasingly hollow. What even are “real skills” anymore? Coding? Prompt engineering? Data analysis? When everyone and their dog is copy-pasting the same LinkedIn buzzwords into their CVs, what stands out? Employers aren’t even looking for “skills” anymore — they want outcomes. Tangible results. But when nepotism dominates and opportunities are hoarded, how are young professionals supposed to prove their value? A real Catch-22…
- Redefining Success: Sure, movements like FIRE (financial independence, retire early) sound appealing. But let’s face it — 98.5% of people can’t relate. When 50% of global wealth is held by boomers in the U.S. and China, and most Gen Z workers are juggling multiple jobs just to pay rent, FIRE might as well be a fantasy.
For some, the allure of unconventional routes — whether crypto gambits or high-risk startups (SBF anyone?) — underscores how broken the system appears. While these paths are rife with risk (and moral gray zones), they highlight the growing disillusionment with conventional career tracks.
What Can Gen Z Do?
Despite the challenges, there are actionable steps young professionals can take:
- Rethink the Hustle: Stop chasing outdated notions of success. The world has changed; your approach should too.
- Focus on Outcomes: Build things. Solve problems. Create value. Forget the “skillset arms race” and focus on showing results.
- Stay Pragmatic but Optimistic: Yes, the odds are tough, but resilience and strategic thinking can still open doors.
Final Thoughts
Nepotism, DEI rollbacks, AI anxiety, and skyrocketing living costs have illuminated an uncomfortable truth: the system was never designed to be fair. Gen Z understands this better than any generation before them.
The question isn’t just how to succeed in this environment, but how to redefine success altogether. Whether by rewriting workplace rules, building entrepreneurial ventures, or crafting alternative paths, the solutions will likely come from those willing to challenge the status quo.
As we step further into 2025, one thing is clear: the workforce is a maze, but it’s not without exits.
So, what’s your take? Are we stuck in a cycle of burnout, or is it time to disrupt the system?
💡 Hustle smart. Take risks. Own your future.
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