Three Out of Four Young People in the U.S. Know What They Want to Do in the Future: Work in a Hospital, Not a Big Tech Company

The labor market has yet to recover from the disruptions caused by remote work and companies’ efforts to bring employees back to the office. Now, it faces a new challenge.

A study by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) reveals the first signs of Gen Z’s disillusionment with the work culture in the tech industry. Faced with a future shaped by AI advancements, young people increasingly prefer careers in health and care over computer science or engineering.

A sector at risk. Leaders at major companies like Nvidia and AWS have suggested that AI systems could eliminate the need for engineers to know how to code. As businesses integrate AI developments, tech roles may be among the most affected by automation, raising concerns about the industry’s long-term stability.

Additionally, job insecurity—marked by massive layoffs and high turnover at major tech firms—has made the sector less appealing. According to a survey by consulting firm What’s The Big Data, Gen Z prioritizes economic stability in their career choices.

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Gen Z prioritizes job stability. A survey by Networks Trends of more than 10,000 U.S. students found that 76% of Gen Z college graduates prioritize job stability over a company’s location (75%), reputation (72%), and even a high salary (71%).

Half of respondents expressed deep concern that after years of studying a field they enjoy, they could end up in a toxic work environment leading to burnout or career stagnation. As a result, interest in big tech firms has waned, as they no longer offer the idyllic workplaces of the past.

The tech industry is no longer a top choice. According to the NSHSS study, recent graduates now favor jobs in health and care over positions at major tech companies, which once dominated rankings of the best workplaces.

Google, which ranked fourth in 2022, has dropped to seventh on the list in 2024, followed by Amazon and Apple, which also declined. SpaceX saw a significant drop, falling from ninth to 22nd place.

Unlike tech, which is increasingly specialized and automated, healthcare demands more human workers and is less vulnerable to AI disruptions. This shift signals a growing preference for careers with long-term security and stability.

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