
While career shakeups have been constant since 2020, widespread 

 in 2023 has made it clear that even those who are set on a conventional career path will have to learn to navigate a shifting technological
landscape. As 

, careers are becoming increasingly ‘squiggly’, as people hop around related roles based on 

, rather than progress in a linear
fashion. This is leading to an increase in upskilling: 20% of American Gen Yers have returned to some kind of formal education in the past six months, according to Canvas 8 survey from June 2023. While this desire to becompetitive is driving an increase in 

 among young Americans, keeping up with the job market is a growing concern across generations. Gen Xers in Japan are changing jobs at 

 than any other generation, signalling a global need for 

 to serve the already-incipient career zig zag.


As the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze household budgets, many workers are beginning to think that taking up side hustles is a quicker way to financial stability than the career ladder. Receptive to the sought-after promises of the gig economy, establishes companies like the trading firm 

 are willing to change working hours to allow employees to take up approved side hustles. More broadly, Gen Zers are willing to 

 what careerism looks like, building broad skill sets rather than specializing in one field. Similarly, employers are looking to hire those with 

, prioritizing flexibility over specialization. In a world where communication is increasingly visual, 

 of employers expect non-design roles to have extensive design knowledge and creative experience, pointing towards a growing generalization of hire demands.


Despite the flexibility of non-traditional career paths, long-standing employment inequality issues remain. 

 abound in the hybrid working era, leading as many as 

of Black employees to want to quit their current jobs. Indeed, 32% of non-White workers in the US feel that White supremacy is happening or being supported at their workplace, according to a Canvas8 survey from June 2023. And while the gig economy and widespread retraining promise greater possibilities for everyone, the picture is not equally rosy for all demographics. The post-pandemic employment shakeups are leading to hiring discrimination 

 with higher salary expectations, while over 

 of stay-at-home mothers in the US are experiencing challenges re-entering the workforce. While companies are eager to communicate their DEI initiatives, the 

 remains persistent, forcing the underrepresented workers to expose 

of US Gen Yers have made  money through a side hustle in  the last 6 months

At a time when AI and automation are causing widespread labor market disruption, workers are having to adapt their skills to meet a new reality. With both creativity and technical knowledge in high demand, how can brands and educators balance arts and STEM learning to prepare the future workforce?

How can STEM and arts education be intertwined?

Gen Zers have been labeled lazy by the corporate world because their ambition looks different from their predecessors in the workplace. Further inspection of their work ethic shows that it extends beyond their nine-to-five, with side hustles challenging the anti-ambition accusation.

Gen Z are redefining career ambition

Skills like visual communication are becoming highly coveted by employers, but many people don't have access to tools to help develop these skills. As a result of competitive job markets, people are increasingly looking to upskill to meet their own expectations and those of prospective employers.

Employers are increasingly expecting multifaceted hires

American high schools are seeing ‘healthy masculinity’ clubs crop up as young men search for safe spaces to challenge stereotypes. In the face of growing gender divides, groups like these illustrate how people are taking proactive steps to care for their personal and communal identities.

Masculinity clubs at US schools offer community support

Adidas has signed 16-year-old Kaleena Smith as its first high school women’s basketball NIL partner. The move reflects its commitment to the future of women’s sports, setting a precedent for a cultural shift toward greater inclusion and earlier investment in female talent.

Adidas signing reaffirms support for women's sports

A study has found more Gen Zers are concerned with AI replacing them at work than their older CEOs are. As workplace requirements and dynamics continue to shift, these findings highlight the importance of establishing confidence in employees through meaningful upskilling and AI guardrails.

AI anxiety hits Gen Z workers harder than their bosses

AI is the predominant tech topic in Australia today but a dearth of workers are properly trained to use it to the fullest. This is due to a long-standing focus on theoretical learning rather than practical. However, AI itself may bridge this gap and empower Australians to bolster their economy and contribute to the country’s collaborative working culture.

Where do Australians want AI in the workplace?

Singer Kate Nash started a 'Butts 4 Tour Buses' page on adult content subscription platform OnlyFans to ensure good wages and travel for her band and crew on her upcoming tour. The move has sparked online debate about exploitation and commodification in the music industry and sex work more broadly.

Kate Nash's OnlyFans page sparks exploitation debate

When French-founded firm Duralex faced bankruptcy, its employees stepped in, forming a cooperative to modernise the brand while preserving its world-renowned heritage. This decision reflects a rising collectivist spirit, reshaping trust and resilience amid global instability.

Duralex employees unite to save company and its heritage

The Gen Z-led trend of 'throning' involves dating less for love and more to boost one's social or professional status. Driven largely by women, this shift challenges 'girlboss' ideals, with leveraging a partner’s status seen as a life hack rather than an anti-feminist approach.

Throning trend shows Gen Z's desire for status over love

The rise of AI hiring tools and AI in the workplace is resulting in discrimination against older workers. As new technologies present a host of opportunities and challenges, there is a growing demand for business practices that prioritise AI inclusion and education for older professionals.

Older workers face exclusion due to AI bias 

An ageing population and overtime laws are placing pressure on Japan’s trucking industry, with the country projected to have 36% fewer truck drivers than needed by 2030. A new automated cargo transport corridor solution hopes to tackle labour shortages while reducing carbon emissions.

Conveyor belt road proposed to ease trucker shortage

With a new name and renewed vision, Q Rising has launched a talent incubation and mentorship programme with Lagos Fashion Week. The initiative will equip local African designers with opportunities, knowledge, and resources at a time when there is a growing appreciation for locally made products.

Fashion incubator seeks to bolster African designers

Some disillusioned workers in France are travelling out of the city to work the soil – but only for a few days a week. Seeking both meaning in life and financial stability, these workers are contributing to the popularity of multi-hyphenate careers spanning both urban and rural environments.

French seek meaning and money through part-time farming

Passionfroot is an online marketplace aimed at connecting brands with business-focused content creators. As the creator economy continues to grow, there's an opportunity for brands to level the playing field for creators from diverse backgrounds by offering more ways to monetise their skills.

Berlin start-up launches digital marketplace for creators

Enterprise Flex-E-Rent has recruited a new cohort of 15 apprentices in the UK and Ireland to join its two-year HGV mechanic or panel beater apprentice programme. As people seek alternative career trajectories, brands are providing training and development to become part of a skilled workforce.

HGV apprenticeship programme supports practical careers

More companies are giving employees election day off, encouraging them to volunteer, or hosting nonpartisan info sessions. Brands supporting meaningful civic engagement during social and political turbulence demonstrates a commitment to democratic values and employee empowerment.

Brands support employee civic engagement for elections

AI-powered job application bot ‘AI Hawk’ is helping thousands of people apply for jobs on Linkedin. Frustrated by impersonal hiring practices - which increasingly use AI software in the screening process - people are using the bot to outsmart a system they feel is rigged against them.

Job-application bots are gaining traction

As post-pandemic revenge travel slows, increased demand for corporate retreats is fuelling a welcome uptick in group bookings for the hotel sector. Amid an ongoing pushback against return-to-office mandates, the trend hints at a need for ‘new normal’ solutions to boost workplace cohesion.

Corporate retreat comeback offers boost to hospitality 

Americans are deeply aware of AI's impact on the job market, and many are keen to upskill so they don't fall behind. But soft skills also remain in focus across generations. Canvas8 spoke to Gen Zers and Xers from across the US to understand their outlooks on the shifting careers landscape.

How are Americans staying ahead of the job market?

As technology transforms the job market, people are striving to future-proof their skill sets. Canvas8 spoke to nine Britons from Gens Z and X to find out what they want to learn and which qualities they prioritise as they navigate drastically different stages of their careers.

How are Britons staying ahead of the job market?

Airtasker allows users to outsource home tasks and chores, offering convenience for busy Aussies and income opportunities for gig workers. The platform’s huge popularity in Australia and ongoing global expansion highlight the rising role of task outsourcing in people’s busy modern lives.

Why Airtasker outsources chores for busy Australians

How are people future-proofing their employment? What kind of support do parents need to prepare Gen Alpha for their career journeys? How is anti-work sentiment shaping better office environments? And what do employees want from gender equity measures?

Careers Sector Snapshot: October 2024

Despite strides taken to ensure equality for everyone, gender parity is far from being achieved in the workplace. Moreover, political polarisation and fast-paced online discourse mean that brands find themselves struggling to find a stable stance on these matters. Still, advancing equity remains paramount, especially in ways that are informed by employees’ demands.

Gendered livelihoods

The world is changing – and, with it, the careers sector. As Gen Alphas come of age in an AI world, their expectations when it comes to learning, training, and work are being reshaped right before our eyes. But these changes affect not only the younger generations but also anyone already in the workforce, as upskilling and retraining become essential for success.

Future thinkers

Parents want to set their kids up for success in their education, but challenges abound, from ensuring their youngsters are exposed to different perspectives, to buying expensive school supplies. Parents feel stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure how to navigate a shifting landscape, and this presents an opportunity for brands to support them more effectively.

Parental support

People have been questioning the structures and systems around education and careers, and it's reaching a point where companies are being forced to adjust. With the allure of freedom and autonomy offered by freelancing and non-traditional career paths, companies are looking to attract people to permanent roles and the office.




Better work

JobJump, a trending AI tool for interview prep, exemplifies a broader shift toward tech-driven problem-solving. As people seek to outsmart traditional systems, AI assistance in professional settings raises questions about authenticity in a growing culture of using tech to get ahead.

Live AI can help candidates cheat in job interviews

Demoralised by their career situations, many young Chinese are retreating from large cities to the countryside. This reverse migration might prove to be only temporary, but it highlights a growing desire to break with the career-centric life choices of previous generations in China.

Young Chinese rethink life choices away from cities

Latin American SMEs, key to the region's economy, face limited access to credit and complex regulations but many are leveraging fintech, digital connectivity, and new educational models to drive growth. Can they unlock their full potential and spark a local economic renaissance?

What do Latin American SMEs need to thrive?

Japanese employees have met a push to introduce a four-day workweek with scepticism due to the high social pressure Japanese feel toward work. However, attitudes might be changing with younger generations, and there’s an opportunity for brands to tap into this shift.

Japanese employees are sceptical of four-day workweek

Asics is continuing its Movement for Mind initiative through a foul-mouthed campaign starring Succession star Brian Cox, who encourages workers to escape their desks and get some exercise. People are emphasizing their fitness and mental health, so wellness is no longer separate from work.

Asics calls for workers to move for their minds

ASDA is tackling food waste and sustainability issues through an educational programme. As people become increasingly aware of environmental challenges and seek ways to contribute to sustainability efforts, brands can provide guidance and career and education opportunities.

ASDA trials educational sustainability initiative 

A new study reveals a persistent gender pay gap in the UK's architecture sector. As people demand greater equality and inclusivity in the workplace, businesses and brands can address the root causes of this disparity by collaborating with supportive collectives and groups to change systems from within.

Gender pay gap in UK remains high among architects

Research conducted by nutrition and health app Lifesum reveals a staggering gap in menstrual health support in the workplace. People are increasingly prioritising holistic wellbeing and workplace equality, and the demand for comprehensive menstrual health support is growing.

Lifesum reveals gaps in workplace menstrual support 

Data shows that Gen Z is prioritising personal growth and work-life balance over traditional career trajectories. In light of this, companies may need to rethink their organisational structures and career development paths to attract and retain this generation of workers.




Gen Z is consciously "unbossing"

The 2024/25 Generational Snapshot of Gen Z looks at this cohort’s yearning for nostalgia and tangible experiences, the shifting nature of wellness towards being a 24/7 pursuit, young people’s evolving demands from the working world, and attitudes towards politics in a polarised landscape.

2024/25 Generational Snapshot of Gen Z

The latest promotion by Pizza Hut delivers pizzas with resumés printed on the boxes to prospective employers. This move aims to support job-seekers amidst the key hiring season and challenging job market while building brand loyalty among customers.

Pizza Hut supports job-seekers with resumés on boxes

Between a changing work environment and government cuts, young creatives in the UK have lost vital opportunities to connect and advance their careers. Digital spaces are stepping in to fill these gaps, but how can brands connect with these groups to foster creativity and a sense of community?

How digital spaces are reconnecting young creatives

Deloitte UK is rolling out a progressive family leave policy giving all parents 26 weeks of paid parental leave, catering to a growing demand for improved work-life balance. This move also demonstrates the importance of gender equality and shared parenting responsibilities.

Deloitte UK introduces equal paid parental leave

A Leeds-based band have taken home this year’s Mercury Prize, citing regional funding as a key driver in their success. With the creative industries in flux, brands can forge authentic connections with local creative communities by helping fill the gap in material support.

Mercury Prize win highlights gap in creative funding

In Chengdu, all-women electrician classes are oversubscribed as Chinese women seek to enter the male-dominated electrical trade and learn practical skills for independent living. Women are redefining their role in the workforce, reflecting desires to dissolve outdated gender stereotypes.

38 Fix helps Chinese women break into electrical trade

The charitable organization has commenced its annual Game to Change the World campaign aimed at Gen Alpha fundraisers. Gaming has become a pivotal tool in Gen Alpha’s sense-making practices, and young audiences will be expecting more than just immersion when it comes to virtual activations.

Comic Relief US nurtures Gen Alpha changemakers

A growing number of Gen MZ (Gen Y and Z) employees in South Korea are choosing to forgo promotions in favour of investments and side hustles. Youth in the country are pushing back against the extreme hustle culture, seeking work-life balance and financial gains outside of their jobs.

South Korea's Gen Y and Z choose side hustles over promotions

Asda Opticians has launched a new apprenticeship programme, giving optical assistant colleagues the opportunity to become a dispensing optician. Initiatives like these provide an opportunity for people to gain skills to progress in their careers, supporting those who choose alternative pathways.

Asda Opticians launches apprenticeship programme

Will universities survive the move away from traditional education? Will unequal technological upskilling perpetuate polarisation? In this part of the 2025 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about the rapidly changing state of play in the careers sector.

2025 Expert Outlook on Careers

Substack was founded as a writing platform, but it's quickly becoming a community and identity-building hub for influencers and brands by introducing new features like podcasting and video. What does this say about what American creators are looking for in their online channels?

How Substack reimagines the newsletter as a brand-building hub

As Canva expands its footprint in the UK, its generative AI model is being embraced by creatives using the accessible graphic design platform to increase their productivity and develop their creative potential. With tech-led innovations being adopted by more workers, how are working norms shifting?

How Canva is using AI innovation to empower UK workers

Amid a nationwide tendency for long work weeks and rigid hierarchies, Suntory stands out in Japan for all the right reasons. The worldwide beverage giant has an employee-first philosophy, treating mistakes as learning opportunities, aligning with Japanese employees’ desire for psychological safety.

How Suntory is helping Japanese people unlearn perfectionism

Nearly half of American adults say they’re planning to leave their jobs next year, with Gen Z respondents leading this trend. Disillusioned by traditional corporate culture, young workers are seeking more fulfilling ways to work and pioneering a shift in attitudes towards employment more broadly.

US Gen Zers are planning mass resignation

More than half of US parents report needing financial assistance to buy the technology their kids need for their education, a worrying statistic as the back-to-school season kicks off. As tech becomes more essential in schools, parents seek reliable and affordable products for their kids.

US parents face financial barriers in buying tech for kids

M&S’s back-to-school campaign, ‘School Happens,’ captures the everyday chaos of school life. By focusing on the durability of its uniforms, M&S taps into parents’ focus on quality and value, offering a relatable take on what kids – and their clothing – really go through during the school year.

M&S shows durability and value in back to school spot

Freelance job platform Fiverr has launched a new campaign underscoring the value of freelancers, tapping Martha Stewart to draw attention to the importance of utilizing talent properly. As freelancing grows as a career path for Gen Z, brands are struggling to identify and use talent.

Fiverr highlights underutilized talent in new campaign

After years of being among fashion’s major influences, streetwear has been toppled by ‘corpcore’ according to a  2024 report by The RealReal. Driven by Gen Z’s presence in the workplace and return-to-office mandates, people are adopting more formal styles, though not without personal expression.

'Corpcore' topples streetwear fashion influence

As the older half of Gen Xers approach retirement age, many are without adequate pension funds to leave the workforce. As this group navigates a myriad of financial pressures, there’s an opportunity for brands to better support the needs of an often overlooked generation.

Retirement is becoming a distant dream for US Gen Xers

Long associated with the virtue of hard industriousness, or Fleiß, Germany is now seeing a change in attitudes toward work. Propelled by a return of unions and the sentiment of younger generations, people are seeking better work-life balance, despite alarm about economic productivity around Europe.

German Gen Z and unions drive changes to work culture

Teens are turning to summer jobs again in increasing numbers, reversing a decades-long decline. The cost of living crisis is pushing Gen Z to look for short-term work during the season. As teens look to get an early start on their careers, employers have an opportunity to attract young talent.

Cost of living crisis spikes Gen Z summer job growth

The internet has become obsessed with being ‘very demure, very mindful’ after creator @joolieannie showed followers how to be demure at work. Despite its satirical origins, the trend speaks to young people’s interrogation of tradition, even if they’re complying with the conventions they poke fun at.

'Very demure' gives workplace culture a viral glow up

The UK has become a nation of side hustlers, with more people earning outside of their jobs and plenty of platforms helping them do so. From selling second-hand clothes to launching bonafide businesses, why are Britons topping up their pay, and how are their relationships to work changing?

What are the new norms of hustle culture in the UK?

Younger workers have gained a reputation for their disillusionment with work and the traditional structures that govern it. But what factors underlie these sentiments, and what do they mean for employers and workers alike? Canvas8 spoke to Dr Jared Scruggs about his research into the development and impacts of anti-work orientation.



Done with work?! The science of anti-work orientation

Gen Zers are embracing 'mini-retirements' to travel or pursue personal projects, challenging traditional work models. This trend is gaining traction on social media and reflects a shift toward valuing personal growth and experiences over continuous work, prompting companies to rethink resourcing.

Gen Zers use mini-retirements to focus on personal projects

An entertainment company has introduced a new benefit to encourage people to explore and expand their social lives comfortably. As people prioritise personal relationships and expect workplaces to offer holistic benefits, this move highlights the creative ways employers can retain talent.

'Tinder Leave' offers employees social life perks

Naukri, India's leading job platform, uses AI to enhance user search experiences. It offers tools for upskilling, identifying skill gaps, and recommending courses to boost employability. The nation's young population can benefit economically with the right education and employment.

How Naukri alleviates AI anxiety among Indian job seekers

The youngest members of Australia’s workforce face challenges as they find ways to make a path for themselves amid a cost of living crisis. As they navigate a competitive job market, they are unafraid to break down long-standing norms to find career options that suit their goals and preferences.

What’s driving Gen Z careers in Australia?

Amid South Korea’s economic downturn and shifting job-seeker preferences influenced by a low unemployment rate and traditional workplace norms, JobKorea launched AI-driven recruitment services to improve the emerging employee experience. What does this say about the job market in South Korea today?

How JobKorea fosters AI trust and job autonomy in Gen MZ

PepsiCo has launched the Planting Pathways initiative to provide opportunities for under-supported and early-stage farmers in Iowa. Intersectional environmentalism is key to developing a diverse and resilient ecosystem, and people are looking for targeted and holistic help from businesses.

PepsiCo pledges to support local farmers

After witnessing older generations being let down by traditional career paths and ideas of success, Gen Alphas feel more inclined to pursue their dreams. To support them, Yeo’s campaign draws on the motivational stories of three local teens who chose to stick to their own passions.




Yeo’s campaign taps into Gen Alpha’s career aspirations

Indian Edtech juggernaut Vedantu offers services such as preparation for competitive exams and traditional academic disciplines. Bridging the gap associated with rural India’s internet infrastructure, the brand is implementing hybrid learning approaches that blend online and offline education.

How Vedantu rethinks hybrid learning for Indian students

Careers

People are reconsidering traditional career paths and education

With rapid technological advancement in AI and automation, it’s clear that career paths are not going to be as linear as they used to be. Pressured by the cost of living crisis, people are looking into upskilling, side hustles, and rethinking how their education will aid them in future careers, while employers are looking for multifaceted, ‘Swiss army knife’ employees who can adapt to rapidly changing work environments.