Gen Z should not just look for jobs, they should learn to create opportunities — Nur Yuhainis Ab Wahab

Gen Z, the latest generation entering the workforce, needs to shift their focus from merely seeking jobs to learning how to create opportunities for themselves and others. This change is necessary due to the rapidly evolving job market shaped by smartphones, social media, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence (AI). The challenge for Gen Z is not just to find employment, but to understand how to generate value and create opportunities.

While being a "digital native" with proficiency in using social media platforms and digital tools gives Gen Z an advantage, it doesn't automatically make them entrepreneurs. A smartphone can serve as a business tool, but it doesn't dictate what to sell, who will buy it, pricing, or the business's longevity. The misconception that a viral video on social media guarantees a successful business is misguided.

Sustainable businesses require ongoing customer engagement, steady cash flow, effective operations, and adaptability to changing trends.

Financial literacy is crucial for Gen Z entrepreneurs. Understanding pricing, costs, cash flow, savings, financing, and financial risks, in addition to knowing how to promote a product, ensures the viability of a business. Entrepreneurship education for Gen Z should go beyond teaching business plan writing. It should equip students with knowledge about financial management to sustain their ventures.

Universities also play a vital role in shaping Gen Z's entrepreneurial mindset. Education should not be limited to lectures and business plan assignments. Students should be given hands-on experiences, such as identifying real problems, developing solutions, testing products, engaging with customers, and building digital campaigns.

Encountering failure in a controlled and constructive environment can serve as a valuable lesson in entrepreneurship. The ultimate goal is to produce graduates who are not only job-ready but also opportunity-ready.

Recognizing opportunities is a key skill for Gen Z. Problems can be transformed into business opportunities. Long waiting times, inconvenient services, changing consumer preferences, ageing populations, sustainability concerns, and the growing demand for digital services all present potential areas for innovation. The challenge is whether young people have been trained to identify these opportunities.

AI is a promising tool that can aid Gen Z entrepreneurs in various aspects like market research, content creation, customer communication, data analysis, and productivity. However, AI should not be seen as the sole strategy for entrepreneurship. The unique human elements of creativity, judgement, empathy, critical thinking, and understanding customers will remain essential. The future entrepreneur may not be the one with the most technical knowledge, but the one who effectively combines technology with human needs.

Lastly, it's important to avoid romanticizing entrepreneurship. Social media often presents entrepreneurship as a path to freedom, flexibility, and financial success. However, the reality often includes long hours, uncertainty, failed products, inconsistent income, and financial risks. Young people should be aware that salaried employment still offers stability and security, which should not be overlooked.