Gen Z Trade Pros Nearly Twice as Likely to Own Their Own Business As College Grads
The latest survey from Angi found graduates from trade schools were twice as likely to own a business as their peers who attended traditional four-year colleges.
A recent Angi survey found Gen Z trade professionals have an entrepreneurial spirit. Compared to peers in other professions, Gen Z pros are starting their own businesses, have more flexibility in their roles, and feel financially stable.
Why Gen Z Says They Prefer Trade Careers to Nine to Five Jobs
As more people enter the workforce, it’s clear that the flexibility, autonomy, and work-life balance of trade professionals has an appealing edge over many traditional nine to five jobs, at least according to Gen Z. When asked about the benefits of their roles as a trade professional in Angi’s latest survey, Gen Z respondents shared:
Role Flexibility: According to the survey, 74% of Gen Z trade pros feel they have the freedom to choose their projects, a significant contrast to the 67% of college graduates.
Autonomy in the Workplace: The Angi survey found that 74% of Gen Z trade pros feel autonomous in their roles, compared to just 67% of their college-educated peers.
Job Satisfaction: According to the survey, 70% of trade pros find excitement in their daily tasks, compared to 66% of those in other fields. Furthermore, only 21% of Gen Z trade pros say their job negatively impacts their mental health, compared to a troubling 37% of college graduates.
Competitive Salaries: Contrary to the common perception that trade work is less lucrative, many trade professionals earn competitive salaries while avoiding the downsides of other careers. Without the burden of student loans, many are able to start earning sooner and with greater financial freedom. Additionally, the entrepreneurial spirit among trade professionals is strong, with many opting to start their own businesses. This allows them to further increase their earnings while maintaining the flexibility and autonomy that attracted them to the field in the first place.
Redefining Career Success: The Angi survey highlights a significant shift in how career success is being defined by the younger generation. While college degrees have long been seen as the pinnacle of professional achievement, flexibility, autonomy, and job satisfaction are increasingly being valued, and trade professionals are leading the way in this new definition of success.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online by Angi.com through Pollfish on August 12th through August 26th, 2024. 800 Gen Z individuals, aged 18 to 27 were surveyed among them, 400 are employed in the professional services and trades industry, while the remaining 400 are college-educated or higher, working in fields outside of professional services and trades.