How Career Development Professionals Can Close the Gap Between Human Resources and Gen Z

Generation Z (Gen Z) is about to be the world's largest and most educated cohort of workers. Human resource managers (HRMs) now rely heavily on the human capital of post-secondary education (PSE) Gen Z graduates. Yet, they struggle to understand how Gen Z graduates' work motivations differ from those in previous generations. This chapter proposes that career development professionals (CDPs) working in PSE can help to create sustainable relationships between Gen Z graduates and HRMs. The chapter begins with a review of Gen Z work motivations and HRM's efforts to satisfy those. It then reviews the current model of CDPs' roles (one that focuses on educating students about HRMs) and proposes an extension to that role (one that focuses on educating HRMs about graduates). Practical examples of this reimagined role in action are provided. Ultimately, the chapter offers a new way of thinking about how CDPs facilitate successful school-to-work transitions and contribute to sustainable relationships between Gen Z graduates and HRMs.