A Gen Z panel discussion offered unexpected insights
The newest generation entering the workforce comes with a new letter—Z—and a different set of ideas and aspirations from previous generations.
That’s why CPS Energy recently hosted a Generation Z Panel Discussion with the University of Texas at San Antonio at its offices, where students spoke with CPS Energy leaders to provide insight on their career desires and plans.
Members of Generation Z are generally considered to be those people born in or after 1996. “This is the incoming generation to our workforce, and better understanding them as individuals helps us as an organization shape our culture, our leaders and better engage them as prospective employees,” James Carter, CPS Energy’s manager of talent acquisition, told American Gas. “Not only does it help us approach marketing and engagement as a company, but personally it also allows us to look inward to better understand ourselves, our misconceptions and biases we may have toward this generation.”
CPS Energy was approached by UTSA to hold the panel, and the utility thought it was a worthwhile opportunity, said Carter, who oversaw the event.
“For me, what I value is the stability in a job and the ability to progress,” Jessica Milligan, a graduate student at the university, told Trace Levos, who covered the event for CPS Energy corporate communications. “Also, having the ability to create and having the type of environment that allows for creative expression is important.”
Student panelists talked frequently about the importance of job stability, competitive salaries and an appreciation for collaboration. “Despite what some might think, members of Gen Z don’t want their eyes glued to a phone or computer all day. They value face-to-face interaction, and they love to learn new things,” Levos said.
Carter said there was much value to the event, and he hopes to partner with the university again.
“In the end, this turned out to be a mutually beneficial event for both us as an organization and the students who participated in the panel,” he said. “The students themselves got to understand better what it’s like to work at CPS Energy and what we may be looking for, and, surprisingly to some, their expectations and our expectations matched in many ways.”