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☆ Gen Z loneliness is so bad that some young adults are spending thousands trying to make friends through gym memberships and social clubs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

In search of connection, young people are spending on gym memberships, social clubs, and art classes. Most said they spend more on social activities than pre-pandemic. All but three said they're spending more money now than they were before the pandemic on social activities such as art classes and gym memberships to make friends. The software engineer said he's increased his investment in social activities after struggling to make friends at work. Other Gen Zers told Insider they made connections through free gallery events, volunteering, and joining book clubs.

Persons: Zers, Lynette Ban, she's, Ban, Vivek Murthy, Richard Weissbourd, Weissbourd, Murthy, Rachael, Matt Schulz, William Cabell, Cabell, he's, Cabell isn't, Kazerouni, Kelly Lohr, —, Barley Vogel, there's, Rebecca Schweiger, Schweiger, Noureen Shallwani, Shallwani, Gen Zers, Zers don't, Lillian Lema, Bumble BFF, Lillian Lema Lema, BFF, She's, Margaux Duvall, Duvall, Alexandra York Organizations: Service, Soho House, Harvard Graduate School of Education, IRL, SEC, Studio Arts Dallas, Studio, The, Facebook Locations: Wall, Silicon, New York, Austin, Italy, Richmond , Virginia, Soho, Soho House's New York, Philadelphia, Maine, Portland , Maine, Ohio, Denver, nsheidlower@insider.com

☆ I'm a 25-year-old with 2 master's degrees and $131,000 in student debt. I just left Paris and am getting ready to travel to Asia.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Alexandra York | Josée Rose | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Hayley is an American who spent two years living in Paris and going to school. She recently left Paris and is getting ready to travel to India and beyond. Once a week, I'd pick her up from school and we'd spend about two hours together. I'm going to do a week in India, then I'm going to do a few days in Singapore, then a week and a half in Australia with friends. I'm part of a Facebook group called Host a Sister so I'm staying with women in India who also love to travel solo and then with friends in all the other countries I'm going.

Persons: Hayley, Paris Hayley, I'd, —, I'm, it's, there's, UNESCO's MGIEP, I've Organizations: Service, Anderson College, Arcadia University, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace, Sustainable Development Locations: American, Paris, India, Asia, Wall, Silicon, Kalamazoo , Michigan, South Carolina, Uganda, Marais, Kalamazoo Shore, Jordan, Europe, Midwest, North America, New Zealand, Italy, undergrad, Spain, Michigan, Southeast Asia, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, Kalamazoo

☆ The average Chick-fil-A franchise makes nearly $8.7 million in sales and has one of the lowest fast-food franchise startup fee — here's how to open one
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Hayley Peterson | Dominick Reuter | Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Chick-fil-A 's fee for a new restaurant is $10,000 – one of the lowest of any major fast-food brand. In 2022, most locations average nearly $8.7 million in sales per year, up from $8.1 million a year ago, according to the chain's 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document. McDonald's, for example, requires potential franchisees to pay from $1.5 million and $2.5 million in startup costs — including a $45,000 franchise fee, according to the chain's 2023 FDD. Total costs to launch a franchised Chick-fil-A restaurant ranges from $518,385 to $2,803,435, according to the 2023 FDD documents. No transfer or sale of a Chick-fil-A business is allowed, not even family inheritance in the event of death or disability.

Persons: Mark Kalinowski, Chick, McDonald's, Noam Galai, Jay Reed Organizations: Service, Business, Taco Bell Locations: Wall, Silicon, York

☆ Tampa is becoming a Gen Z hotspot. 5 recent arrivals share why the city's 'becoming the new Miami.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Tampa, Florida, is becoming a popular place to move for younger millennials and Gen Zers. Below, why five 20-somethings moved to Tampa, in their own words, edited for length and clarity. Tampa has grown since I've moved here, and I think it's only going to get bigger. Noelle Lane, 23Nicole Lane Courtesy of Nicole LaneJob: Kindergarten teacherBefore Tampa: moved to Tampa at age 18 to attend collegeHome state: OhioI moved here in 2018 to go to the University of Tampa. I think Tampa is becoming a lot younger.

Persons: millennials, Zers, It's, somethings, Chris Brown, Chris Brown Job, Dylan, I've, I'd, —, Noelle Lane, Nicole Lane, That's, Alexander Signori, it's, Joe Steilberg, Parker Klein, Let's, Laura Treche, There's Organizations: Service, Tampa, Chicago Home, Home, University of Tampa, Attended Florida State University, Tech, Riverwalk Locations: Tampa, Florida, Wall, Silicon, Tampa , Florida, Miami, TikTok, Austin, San Francisco, Tallahassee , Florida ; Massachusetts, Ohio, Massachusetts Tampa, I'm, Massachusetts, Chicago, California, LA, Los Angeles and New York, Sarasota, Bayshore, Tallahassee Hometown, South Florida, Charlotte , North Carolina, Northeast Boston, Denver, Seattle . Tampa, Texas, Jacksonville, Dallas, Hyde, Orlando, Tallahassee, Durham , North Carolina . North Carolina, St, Clearwater

☆ I'm a 21-year old student living in Scotland. I have no student debt, and my $900 monthly budget pays for my fitness club, nights out, and frequent travel.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Joshua is a 21-year-old from Berlin who lives in Glasgow, Scotland to attend school. We asked Joshua, a 21-year-old Berlin resident who attends the University of Glasgow, about his biggest spending categories and cost differences between Europe and America. Occupation: Student and university employeeMonthly income: £700 (about $900), plus a £200 (about $250) stipend from his parentsStudent debt: $0. Now I live in Glasgow, Scotland for school. What's the biggest cost difference you've noticed between Germany, Scotland, and the US?

Persons: Joshua, Gen Zers, I'm, we're, we'll, I've, she's Organizations: Service, University of Glasgow, Occupation, Student, University of Glasgow ., Student Enterprise, Tesco, Asda, European Union Locations: Berlin, Glasgow, Scotland, Wall, Silicon, Europe, America, Germany, Sainsbury's

☆ I'm 26 years old, making $90,000 a year. Here's how I budget my money to afford to live in San Francisco and enjoy monthly manicures and $22 kebab orders.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Alexis is a 26-year-old living in San Francisco earning $90,000 a year as an account supervisor. We asked Alexis, a 26-year-old San Francisco resident, about her biggest spending categories, biggest money mistakes, and financial goals. Childhood dreams brought me here to San Francisco. But I moved to San Francisco at the same time as that raise — and taxes are much higher here — so my post-promotion paychecks only increased by $50. I know I'm going to have to be more conscious about eating out to make room for those payments.

Persons: Alexis, Gen Zers, It's, I've, I'm Organizations: Service, Trader Joes, Safeway Locations: San Francisco, Wall, Silicon, Iowa, Phoenix, Francisco, Europe

☆ A recruiter says a Gen Z intern asked for a 5-hour work day in an interview, sparking debate about work-life balance
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Twitter users are divided over whether Gen Z workers are demanding too much in job interviews. Experts warn Gen Z to research their industry before making demands about work-life balance. The post, which has more than 700,000 views, sparked a social-media debate about Gen Z behavior at work. She added: "Imagine having work life balance but hating the 5 hours of work you have to do or the people you have to work with." Industries like finance and banking that traditionally have intensive hours are less likely to look kindly on open demands for work-life balance.

Persons: tweeting, Zer, Gen, Sameera Khan, Khan, Balance, Insider's Alexandra York, Josée Rose, Steven Sibley Organizations: Service, Twitter, MNC, Industries, Indiana University's Kelley School of Business Locations: Wall, Silicon, India

☆ I'm a Gen Zer who gets asked what young workers want. It's simple: to be included in conversations about our careers and the workplace.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I was on stage at a conference, tasked with leading a conversation about the future of work from a Gen Z perspective. Those Gen Zers who've made it into the workforce — we range from age 11 to 26 — tend to agree with these ideas, studies show . So at this event and another I took part in last week, I expected to hear all the tropes : "Gen Z is entitled," "Gen Z just doesn't understand the way things work," "Gen Z is asking for too much." When we turned to the audience for questions, one attendee asked: "How do we start these conversations with Gen Zers?" Members of older generations often allude to the idea that Gen Zers are demanding the impossible .

Persons: Gen Zers, Zers, Zers who've, Z, Gen Z, it's Organizations: Service Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Gen Zers want to be in the office. But their bosses are at home.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Gen Z is more interested in working from the office than any other generation. "At JPMorgan, you're probably never going to be the smartest person in the room," he told Insider. Gen Zers see the office as a place to growDespite having grown up online, Gen Zers dislike working from home more than other generations. Among Gen Z, 57% want in-person jobs, according an online survey of about 3,100 US job seekers conducted by Jobslist in the final months of 2022. Joshua Roizman, a Gen Z employee at a software-development company , said he understood why some in other generations might not want to schlep back to the office.

Persons: Sam Farber doesn't, Farber, It'll, —, who've, aren't, Gen Zers, Slack, " Farber, Zehra Naqvi, Naqvi, She's, Z, Davina Ramkissoon, Joshua Roizman, Roizman Organizations: Service, JPMorgan, Kastle Systems, McKinsey Global Institute, Jobslist Locations: Wall, Silicon, Chicago, Asia, Europe, Dublin

☆ I'm a Gen Zer who chose a European college over the Ivy League because I could get a master's in less time and for less money than in the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

She chose St Andrew's University in Scotland because in four years she'd finish with a master's. She attended the University of St Andrews, in Scotland, from 2017 to 2021. At all of them, I was speaking with recruiters and coaches about joining their water polo teams. I ultimately narrowed it down to two colleges in the UK: King's College in London and St Andrews in Scotland. Plus, nearly 40% of the St Andrews student population is international, with lots of American students.

Persons: Nicole Thompson, Thompson, Louis, —, Europe Thompson, Brown, Ivy —, I'd, Andrew's, Prince Will, St Andrews, America Thompson, It's, let's Organizations: St Andrew's University, Service, University of St, Junior Olympics, King's College, St, St Andrews, Arts Locations: Scotland, Wall, Silicon, San Francisco, University of St Andrews, Australia, Utah, Missouri, Thailand, St, Europe, London, St Andrews, America, California

☆ Why Gen Zers aren't going to stop advocating for their mental health at work
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Gen Z employees entered the workforce amid a time of understanding and empathy from managers. As some of these empathetic values fizzle out, Gen Zers are fighting for them to stay. "The response to that was her opening up about her mental health, which I did not expect," Ang said of her boss. Ang is one of many Gen Z employees advocating for themselves on the job — whether it be over flexible schedules, mental-health support, or meaningful work. Many Gen Zers, whose oldest members are now 26, entered the workforce amid COVID-19 lockdowns and a wave of social-justice movements.

Persons: Gen Zers, Alyx Ang, Ang wasn't, she'd, Ang, aren't, Zers, Davina Ramkissoon, Lana Ivory, Ivory, Gen Z, Ramkissoon Organizations: Service, Amazon Locations: Wall, Silicon, Dublin

☆ I'm a 25-year-old who earns thousands a month creating vintage wardrobes for my TikTok followers
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Erica Lubinic is the 25-year-old founder of Saint Ivy Vintage and a TikTok creator. Tapping into social media trends like #ThriftTok and #vintagebundle has boosted her sales. Her business, Saint Ivy Vintage, sells secondhand clothing and offers personal-styling services. I landed on Saint Ivy Vintage and a whole new aesthetic, with a promotional photo shoot and everything. It's fun to find clients through social media because while some of them share my personal style, others don't at all.

Persons: Erica Lubinic, Saint Ivy, Zers, Erica Lubinic thrifts, Lubinic, I'm, TikTok, they've Organizations: Saint Ivy, Service, Saint Locations: Depop, Canada, TikTok, Waterloo , Ontario

☆ I'm a Gen Zer who uses AI to improve my work as a content creator and beat writer's block
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Morgan Young was an early adopter of generative AI, which she learned about on social media. I use generative AI for all of these roles, and I find ChatGPT and chatbots to be the most helpful. I started using ChatGPT within the first three days that it came out. AI speeds up the process of researching and pitching to brandsLinkedIn, where I post content about Gen Z, college, and career growth, is my main platform. I've also started using it to improve my outreach for brand partnerships.

Persons: Morgan Young, Young, ChatGPT, I've, I'm, it's Organizations: Service, LinkedIn Locations: Wall, Silicon, Reddit

☆ Time off and a healthy lifestyle are driving some young Americans to Europe: 'You are a person first and a worker 2nd'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In the five years she's lived overseas, Donahue, 27, became one of numerous young Americans more interested in a life of balance in Europe than the corporate grind in America. "In Europe, you are a person first and a worker second," Donahue told Insider. Europeans are unapologetic about taking time away from work, Ramkissoon said: "They're going, 'This is my time. "Work-life balance in the US is just nonexistent to me after experiencing work-life balance in Europe," she said. And high-quality meats, fish, fruits, and vegetables were much more accessible and affordable in Europe, Donahue said, adding that they're more common than the junk food she saw so widely available in the US.

Persons: —, Kayleigh Donahue, she's, Donahue, Davina Ramkissoon, Ramkissoon, Expedia, Donahue Donahue, Torres, Kennedy, Sofi Torres, that's, There's, it's Organizations: Service, Forbes, European Union, Governments Locations: Europe, America, Ireland, North America, Dublin, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Bordeaux, France

☆ I'm an American millennial who quit a rewarding career to join a French company that offers great work-life balance
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Madison Taylor is a millennial living in Las Vegas and working in marketing. She works for a French company because she prefers its policies on travel, education, and time off. Her boss' support of work-life balance was something she'd never experienced before. Taylor said she appreciates its "French policies" and the ability to work from home. My boss's support of work-life balance was something I'd never experiencedTaylor says the company support has improved her mental health.

Persons: Madison Taylor, she'd, —, Taylor, I'd, I've, We're, It's, we're Organizations: Service, Publicis Groupe Locations: Las Vegas, Paris, France, Chicago, Canada

☆ I quit my job in TV to bartend and freelance. It's allowed me to better connect with people and the freedom to work on my own projects.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sara Loaiza worked in TV production for five years before quitting. In 2022, Loaiza, 28, who lives in Brooklyn, quit her job in TV production to work as a bartender and freelance on the side. I was in high school when I first found out about TV production. When I came back to the US, I picked up a bartending job because I didn't want to let go of that freedom in my day-to-day life. Even without a corporate job, I'm less anxious about the futureLoaiza often works as a freelance assistant producer multiple times a month.

Persons: Sara Loaiza, —, Loaiza, I'm Organizations: Service, CNN, Español, CNBC, World Trade Locations: Loaiza, Brooklyn, Europe

☆ I'm an Argentine millennial who's recovering from burnout after 6 years in a job with no boundaries. Therapy and a strict sign-out time have helped my mental health.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-02 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Alturria cites therapy and working from the office as the key factors to his improved mental health. Now Alturria is learning to set boundaries in his new job overseeing strategy at a tech-recruiting company. I started working this way when I was younger and was given a lot of opportunities because I was always there. And I don't work from home so I don't get my life mixed up with my work. Therapy and having boundaries are helping my mental healthAlturria often spends his free time on walks along the river.

Persons: Agustin Alturria, He's, Alturria, —, I've, I'm, it's Organizations: Service, LinkedIn Locations: Rosario, Argentina, Europe

☆ AI could supercharge the Gen Z takeover
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Alexandra York | Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Experts told Insider that Gen Z was well positioned to capitalize on the AI boom. That could supercharge Gen Z careers, as generative AI is expected to affect millions of jobs, and companies are already seeking talent to help navigate those changes. "From that perspective, Gen Z should be in a good position to capitalize on the AI boom." Gen Zers are using AI for research and brainstormingLais Silva, a Gen Z content manager at a social-media startup, said she'd essentially replaced Google with ChatGPT. Older generations could have a competitive edge over Gen Z because of experience — if they're open to learning AI toolsThe AI revolution isn't guaranteed to be a boon for Gen Z workers.

Persons: Z, —, AJ Eckstein, He's, He'll, Eckstein isn't, they'd, Gen Zers, ChatGPT, Carl Benedikt Frey, Eckstein, Lais Silva, she'd, Morgan Young, chatbots, She'll, Oxford's Frey, Columbia's Netzer, Gen Organizations: Service, Fortune, Columbia Business School, Pew, Oxford University, Google

☆ I'm the Gen Z founder of a period-care company using my business to push back on the 'tampon tax'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

August started a campaign to reimburse customers for some taxes on period products. She's also fighting the so-called tampon tax, which refers to the sales tax added to tampons, pads, and menstrual-care products when they're classified as luxury, nonessential items. That's why we've always covered the tampon tax when customers bought their products directly from August. But when we launched in Target in March, we suddenly had no ability to get rid of the tampon tax at the point of purchase, because the sale wasn't going through us. We hustled behind the scenes to find a way we could take a material stance against the tampon tax.

Persons: Nadya Okamoto, Okamoto, She's, Scott Bleicher, I've, it's Organizations: Service Locations: Texas, Geneva, Target

☆ As Gen Z enters the workforce alongside AI, staying nimble is key to building a career
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Gen Z has an opportunity to learn about and adapt to AI technologies in the workforce. Gen Zers are the youngest component of the workforce and have more working years ahead of them than older generations. But as digital natives, Gen Zers have natural advantages to survive and thrive in this new AI-driven economy. That can give the people adept at using AI more time and energy for the creative, innovative, and thought-provoking work they're looking for. So long as Gen Zers remain flexible and adaptive, they have the potential to flourish in the AI-driven workforce.

Persons: Gen Z, —, Zers, haven't, Gen Zers, Alexander Kvamme, Erin Reilly, Reilly, Reilly doesn't Organizations: Service, Moody College of Communication, University of Texas Locations: Austin

☆ Why Gen Zers are looking to Europe to achieve their American dream
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

For some Gen Zers, the "American dream" is inspired by European work culture. In fact, other American Gen Zers seem obsessed with it. Whether it's entrepreneurial ventures that allow for a flexible schedule or office jobs that promote work-life balance, some American Gen Zers are adopting European sensibilities when making decisions about their career and work life. Insider spoke with several Gen Zers about the Europeanization of their dreams. Young Americans see Europe as the ideal templateTo some American Gen Zers, Torres-Kennedy's life might seem like a dream.

Persons: Zers, —, Sofi Torres, Kennedy, Torres, I'd, she's, it's, Gen Z, Young, I've, Kennedy Davina Ramkissoon, she'd, Lily Rakow, Rakow, we're Organizations: Service Locations: Europe, Bordeaux, France, Chicago, America, Paris, Ireland, North America, Annapolis , Maryland, European

☆ Gen Z is good business: Alex Cooper's new media company shows the allure of targeting young consumers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Gen Z has some $360 billion in global spending power — something brands want to tap into. That's a large chunk of Gen Zers and Zillennials, the subgeneration between millennials and Gen Z. "Signaling to the Gen X crowd, 'Hey, we're a Gen Z media company. You're a company that doesn't know Gen Z and you want to sell to Gen Z. "It's really to attract the corporate partners, the advertisers, and to say 'We're the gateway to the Gen Z audience.'"

Persons: Alex Cooper, Cooper, Matt Kaplan, Z, —, fiancé Matt Kaplan, Kaplan, Gen Z — Cooper, Gen, That's, Jared Watson, University's, Zers, Kitty, Watson, hadn't, we're Organizations: Spotify, Service, Entertainment, Pew Research, University's Stern School of Business, Variety, Media, Gen, Companies Locations: New, millennials, Pennsylvania

☆ Day in the life of a millennial who fled Ukraine to find peace in Greece, where she can work remotely and avoid the stress of war
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Jane Kuhuk is a 30-year-old Ukrainian woman who moved to Greece to escape the war at home. She wanted to focus on her health and goals and create a safe place for her parents if needed. Here's a day in her life, focused on physical health, mental wellness, and career development. KuhukWhat's more, with internet and power outages across Ukraine, Kuhuk needed an environment where she could continue working her remote job as a marketer. But she's finally taking time to analyze her goals, which include being healthy and productive, as well as working a job she enjoys.

Persons: Jane Kuhuk, —, she'd, Kuhuk, Mount Olympus, I'm, she's Organizations: Service Locations: Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Thessaloniki

☆ Why I've stopped telling myself to 'be more ambitious'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( Josée Rose | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

As a woman, and a woman of color, I've grappled with the definition of ambition. As a woman, and a woman of color, I've grappled with the definition of ambition. Stauffer's article points out that people have probably heard that they're either too ambitious, or not ambitious enough — or maybe they've heard both! Of course, one's idea of ambition (and how ambitious to be) can be shaped by our gender, race, and class. But if you went to an Ivy League school, or work more than 50 hours a week, own a home, or make $200,000 a year, does that mean you're ambitious?

Persons: I'm, —, Rainseford Stauffer, I've, isn't, Stauffer, Alexandra York, we're, let's Organizations: Service, Guardian, Ivy League, Glamour Magazine Locations: Maryland

Small businesses have boomed since the start of COVID-19, earning some entrepreneurs six figures. In fact, 33% of the small-business owners who used Gusto said they needed side hustles to keep their companies afloat. "The surge in side hustles is partly caused by new entrepreneurs who need to rely on additional sources of income to cover the businesses that they just started," Pardue said. Some of the most recognizable companies, such as Apple, Twitter, and Facebook, started as side projects and later became multibillion-dollar corporations. Insider spoke with entrepreneurs who earn almost six figures or more about their advice on building side hustles.

Persons: —, Luke Pardue, Pardue, Mark Stenberg, Weng Cheong Organizations: Apple, Twitter, Facebook, Service Locations: hustles

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