FACTORS AFFECTING CAREER CHOICES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN MILLENNIALS AND GEN ALPHA

Abstract

The rapid advancement of technology and a changing world of work has produced different job or career trends for millennials and Generation Alpha. As a result, it is essential for universities administration to design career development programs for students, as well as employers and policy makers trying to create effective workforce approaches, to recognize the trends that define each generation and the differences between them. In this a cross-sectional survey was conducted to identify the similarities and differences in career aspirations and attitudes toward future employment among 309 young adults in Lahore, Pakistan, who represented two generational cohorts: millennials (born between 1981-1996; n = 155) and generation alpha (born after 2012; n = 154). The survey was administered among the participants in three of Lahore's diverse geographic districts by using self -constructed questionnaire. Statistically significant differences were found in several of the categories examined (p < .001), including career/job satisfaction (p = 0.048), peer/financial factors (p = 0.047), social/cultural influences (p = 0.039), and generational attitudes toward the work environment (p = 0.028). Despite not finding any statistically significant differences for both educational/skill-based factors (p = .215) and technological influence (p = .854) between the generations, this analysis indicates that there are considerable differences between Millennials and Generation Alpha inside the workplace with regards to their behavior and norms, cultural and social expectations, economic motivators, career satisfaction, and demographic influences. The findings provide empirical evidence regarding the differences between generations as well as guidance on designing education curricula, career counseling services, and human resource policies that are responsive to the needs of future generations.