Young Gen Zers spend too much time pursuing “get-rich-quick” side hustles while finding their main jobs boring.
A series of studies have found that the generation admits to being less ambitious, but young people complain that their elders are giving them a hard time.
According to new research, millions of Gen Zers spend their days “looking for an easy fix” instead of working hard at their main jobs.
James McNeil, 37, founder of Leicestershire car company Ready2LeaseHe said it was a “given” that people with side jobs would focus more on that than their main jobs.
He told MailOnline: ‘I had a couple of boys who had other things to do. One of them was also a music producer, the other made oven gloves.
Do YOU have a side job or do your staff have a second job? Email chris.matthews@mailonline.co.uk
Cyd Ashbridge, 25 (pictured), is a senior account executive at a PR agency. In his spare time he runs a sustainable fashion brand called Cydsline.
The Durham University graduate told MailOnline that criticism of Generation Z was “unfair” because “as a generation we are the hardest working people I know”.
Aisha Dowlut, 27 (pictured) is another young woman with a side job. She works for the NHS as a senior house officer at a major trauma centre. In her free time, she works at her other business, a microbakery called The Sweetest Tooth.
Now he supports her as she has turned her love of baking sweets into a side hustle to earn money.
‘I think that is partly due to working from the local culture.
“They see that as, ‘I can pretend to work and also do something on the side to make some more money.'”
‘Whoever starts a secondary business did it because they want to do it long term.
‘I did the same. I started a business in 2020 while employed so I could leave that job in 2023.
‘It’s not a fear, it’s a fact. You don’t start a side hustle unless you’re going to do your best.’
Research by ViewPrint It found that most young people with side jobs were more passionate about their own businesses than their full-time job. Just under a fifth revealed they found their full-time job “boring”.
Meanwhile, a McDonald’s study found that almost a third of Gen Z young people admitted they have become less ambitious.
Still, the same research found that more than three-quarters did not believe society viewed them positively.
Another report from Best Brokers This week listed the “most damaging personal finance trend” on TikTok, a social network used by many members of Generation Z, was “hustle.”
He said the TikTok videos featured side hustles as part of concepts of “lazy ways to get rich” or “do nothing and make money.”
The report said some side hustle videos had up to eight million views and were ensnaring “increasingly naïve viewers eager to make easy money for doing next to nothing.”
James McNeil, 37, founder of Leicestershire car company Ready2Lease, said it was a “given” that people with side jobs would focus more on that than their main jobs. Pictured: Cyd wearing some of his fashion line.
Research by VistaPrint found that most young people with side hustles were more passionate about their own businesses than their full-time job.
However, a Gen Zer with a side job said Gen Zers were being treated harshly.
Cyd Ashbridge, 25, is a senior account executive at a public relations agency. In her free time she runs a sustainable fashion brand called cydsline.
He told MailOnline that criticism of Generation Z was “unfair” because “as a generation we are the hardest working people I know”.
Cyd added: ‘People can work hard and do something different to fulfill their dreams.
“My friends from Generation Z are very hardworking.”
After leaving Durham University, Cyd founded her company just before lockdown in 2020, when she was 21 years old.
She told MailOnline she “wanted to make a difference” and “just do my bit for the planet” by fighting fast fashion.
She said: “I firmly believe that people have the ability to change the world with the power of their wallets.”
“It’s nice to have something that’s just a hobby.”
She added: ‘I have monetized my hobby.
‘As a generation we really want to do good. “We are very happy to be growing right now.”
He said that with his generation’s ability to reflect, they could “be the best you can be.”
Aisha Dowlut found her passion for baking after learning from her grandfather as a child.
Aisha Dowlut, 27, is another young woman with a side job.
She works for the NHS as a senior house officer at a major trauma centre.
In his free time he works on his other activity, a microbakery called The sweetest tooth.
She told MailOnline: ‘There are plenty of people who have to work two jobs, but I in no way need to do this.
‘I do this because I want to. It’s something I started as an online thing to document (what) I was doing.
‘My microbakery keeps me from burning. (It’s) a way to relax.’
She said her NHS job would always take priority, especially if she was called to an emergency, and said her bosses were aware of her sideline.
McNeill said Generation Z still had a role to play in the workforce, but warned young people not to think that ‘get rich quick’ schemes were easy to achieve.
He said: “Young people need to be educated about the truth behind such unique success stories.”
Rianne Rennalls, 24, is a youth worker who uses McDonald’s fast food chains to meet Generation Z children.
Youth worker Rianne Rennalls, 24, (pictured) said many Gen Zers she encountered were “lacking hope”.
He said the Gen Zers he met had a “lack of hope” and “imposter syndrome.”
‘They come without having any idea what they want to do in the future.
‘McDonald’s (has) helped. They have been giving us a safe space, showing young people that there are other options.
‘We need to give (young people) more support.
In his experience, many young people flocked to McDonald’s to meet their friends after school.
McDonald’s website says anyone can apply to work at the chain even if they don’t have any qualifications.
Still, Rianne was delighted that the chain was also offering work experience to some of the young people who frequented the restaurants, although she wasn’t sure if the chain was paying them.
The chain has launched an initiative that will connect all its restaurants with youth centers and fund 500 job qualifications for young people.
Rianne added: ‘We want to exceed (young people’s) ambitions. She is inspiring them.”