Covid-19 has aggressively impacted all aspects of life as we currently know it. The impacts of the pandemic can be seen through changes in travel, working from home, learning from home, and having to socialise via zoom calls. Undoubtedly, the pandemic is not something thought to have been a likely occurrence during this lifetime, and definitely not something thought to have impacted Gen-Z’s in the mass that it has.
Gen-Z’s are largely a demographic which has been grossly affected by the coronavirus. The ages of 18 to 25 are arguably perceived as the ‘foundation years’; the years taken to experience university, establish new types of socialisation, establish a career, travel, and attain personal development. All the aforementioned have been postponed indefinitely.
University students who are either beginning their university experience, in their penultimate year or their concluding year of study are facing challenges that may not have existed before the pandemic. University students are not able to utilise the entirety of the facilities universities have to offer, there is far less opportunity to socialise with other students, some are not able to return to university accommodation due to travel restrictions which all conclusively hinders the university experience.
Alternately, there are many university students, particularly international students, who have not been to return home for the holidays or see socialise with age mates due to the increasing restrictions. The deterioration of the mental health of university students can be viewed to be a result of the aforementioned in addition to being an obstacle in being able to successfully attain an undergraduate degree. Gen-Z’s who are yet to attend university are more likely to take GAP years to financially aid their university experience and or explore other avenues.
The contraction of the UK economy has in turn led to the rejection and retraction of once permanent future job roles. Many Gen-Z’s who were hopeful for post-eighteen employment or post-graduate employment has seen the unforeseeable retraction and or postponing of internship offers, apprenticeships, learn-on-the-job roles, and more due to firms and companies being unable to financially take on new employers with addition to letting go of existing employers. Statistics indicate that Gen-Z’s (18-25) and Gen-Y’s (26-40) are the two demographics who have been considerably affected financially versus Baby Boomers (56-74) and Builders (75+); 33% for Gen Z, 37% Gen Y versus 20% Baby Boomers and 12% Builders.
The financial implications of the pandemic have not only put young professionals out of employment, but it has also meant young professionals are having to oversee other avenues which consequently mean that they are unable to progress in their current line of work and or having to postpone future career plans. Not to mention some having to move back with relatives to maintain finances as a consequence of no longer being able to pay rent. Alternately, many young professionals are having to work from home which is ultimately advantageous as the expense of commuting is eliminated.
There are so many aspects to acknowledge when discussing the impact of the coronavirus and the opportunities and livelihood it has taken away from Gen-Z’s. Although having previously mentioned the changes in the university experience, the impact of the contracting economy and having to make the move back home, there is no reassurance as to when things will go back to normal, or when human interaction can become something of the norm again.
Conclusively, it is more than evident the negative impact and implications that the pandemic has had on the younger generations and their futures. Many have had to consider career changes, consider moving back home, and in many ways sacrificing ‘foundation years’ in the hope for a light at the end of the tunnel.
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