Older Gen Zers are heading to college and, soon, to work. This highly connected, driven and pragmatic cohort craves a sense of community, but on its own terms. How can universities and brands help them find a sense of human connection through the digital tools they’re so at home with?

A study by Barclay’s LifeSkills has found that young people in the UK are ditching dog-walking and babysitting jobs in favour of reselling items online. As younger generations become increasingly digitally savvy, an entrepreneurial spirit is driving them to look for cash-making opportunities online.

University was once considered a rite of passage, but today’s 16- to 18-year-olds don’t view it as the only path to a successful career. Disenfranchised by high fees, many people (both teens and their parents) are questioning whether uni is good value for money, leading some to look for alternatives.

Faced with annual fees in excess of £9,000, questionable pastoral support on campus, and stiffer competition in a job market replete with graduates, Gen Zers have plenty of reason to be sceptical about the benefits of higher education. So, how are they forging their career paths after school?