GenZ is burned out from the pressure to continuously learn, but cannot afford to stop as the opportunities to learn at the workplace are contracting, a new report has found.
69 per cent of youngsters surveyed by education platform Emeritus feel that opportunities for on-the-job learning are becoming harder to find, as per the new ‘India Gen Z Outlook 2026’ report.
Further, 62 per cent worry they don’t have enough hands-on experience to compete for good jobs.
Gen Z is not arriving disengaged at work but are under-supported, says the report, arguing that organisations must improve the avenues for structured on-the-job learning and thus regain the trust of this generation.
The survey also challenges the stereotype of Gen Z as “entitled.” Young workers are willing to work hard, but increasingly want meaning, autonomy, flexibility and skill development rather than titles alone, it finds. For instance, 72 per cent value meaningful work over rapid advancement, and 71 per cent are comfortable with career pauses and pivots.
In a paradox of sorts that indicates the generation’s confusions, 75 per cent GenZs are clear that acquiring the right skills will help them remain competitive but 60 per cent also say they feel burned out by the pressure to continuously learn new skills.
The corner office is also losing its appeal with 72 per cent GenZs saying that individual contributors can be as successful as leaders.
In an interesting finding for companies and recruiters, 65 per cent of early-career Gen Z feel a degree alone is insufficient to succeed in the job market. Onboarding support and foundational skilling programmes are essential elements this crop of talent looks for.
“India’s Gen Z is one of the most globally ambitious generations the country has produced – yet they are coming of age while navigating some of the most testing times the world has experienced,” the report says.
Degrees are no longer sufficient proof of employability. Traditional career ladders are contracting. And yet, this generation is not slowing down and finding new routes, building new skills, and rewriting what ambition looks like, it adds.
Emeritus surveyed around 1,010 students and early career professionals between the ages of 15-28 years across major Indian cities for this study.
Copyright© 2026, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.
Source: Read the original article on www.thehindubusinessline.com
