Blog post submitted by Previous Tishman Center Visiting Scholar and Graduate Program in International Affairs alumnus Steven King along with Dr. April Robinson and Ingrid Alexander, a group of independent researchers.

We are at a critical time in our history and culture as a result of the spread of COVID 19. Every living generation is deeply impacted by the spread of this virus and the havoc that is is causing in our society, personal and professional lives. However there is one generation that is at a critical phase in its transition from student to entering the workforce and that is Generation Z (Gen Z). The study that we are conducting seeks to answer the questions of: “How does COVID 19 impact several areas in our society (including) Education, Work and Therapeutic Outcomes for Gen Z?”

Educational institutions have redesigned delivery of educational services to online learning while many employees have started working remotely; even mental health professionals have also moved services to an online platform. We are interested in how these changes have effected Gen Z and what will that mean for educational institutions, businesses and therapeutic outcomes.

In 2014 in a piece written for the Financial Times, Brian Groom asked if Generation Z (Gen Z) could be our saviors. Fast forward to the first current chaotic and catastrophic 7 months of 2020 it appears that they are. Gen Z (along with the Baby Boomer, Gen X and Alpha’s) is the group of young people we have seen organizing and marching around the world for a change in the systemic racist structure that has oppressed people of color for centuries. They are the generation that has organized a global movement to challenge nations concerning climate change, immigration laws, gun control, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights and Black Lives Matter. Gen Z, exemplify the tenacity and bravery o Baby Boomers but are not just satisfied with the suggestion of change, they intend to break down systemic barriers and demand change. They force us to reckon with our consciousness about how human dignity and respect should be practiced and shown to all mankind.

Gen Z, like the Baby Boomers did during the 1960’s has the ability to mobilize a global network. The difference is Gen Z can do it in minutes through the use of social media. If you are reading this and you are “old school” and still not a believer in their power, perhaps the following story will convince you. A few weeks ago, Gen Z organized a protest through the use of the social platform TikTok. They purchased tickets to President Trump’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma with no intention of attending the rally. Gen Z cancelled their purchases hours before the event was to be held. One excuse was, “I can’t attend because my dog is sick”.

Before the event was even broadcast, the event planners were embarrassed by the poor attendance. Gen Z is notorious for sending messages to force consciousness and confusion. We admire and applaud them because the world does not change in a vacuum. It requires courageous people to push the envelope further than before.

In an effort to further understand this awesome and inspiring generation, we have developed a mixed research study. The theoretical foundation is derived from the generational works of Karl Mannheim (1928) and Howe and Strauss (2007). For the purpose of this study we have treated Gen Z as an isolated group; not combining them with other generations such as the Millennials.

The focus of the study is the Gen Z ages 17-24 with a concentration in the area of education, business and mental health. We hope this study will help current and future educators, business leaders and clinicians better understand the needs of Gen Z. If you are between those ages, we encourage you to use the following link to participate in our study. Your responses are anonymous.

The information received from this survey will be kept confidential and known only to the principal researchers, however analysis of this study will be presented in an article format and can be available for review upon request.

If you are interested in joining the study, please follow this link.

Gen Z and the Pandemic