What Business Schools Need to Know About Gen Z

• As digital natives, the members of Gen Z are adept at solving problems and comfortable managing multiple information streams at once.
• They learn best in classrooms that offer short blocks of content, interactive formats, real-world exposure, and opportunities to connect course material with current events.
• These students also make career readiness a priority, often pursuing multiple internships and focusing on long-term professional growth.

 
The list of misconceptions about members of Generation Z is long. Critics accuse them of being entitled, addicted to technology, obsessed with social media, and uninterested in the world around them. But as business schools prepare young people for the workplace, it’s critical for administrators and faculty to push aside the stereotypes and examine the facts about Gen Z students.

Yes, these digital natives grew up with instant internet access, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t interested in learning. In fact, access to the world’s knowledge has made them resourceful and adept problem-solvers.

And it’s certainly true that they’re often on their phones, answering emails and scrolling through social media even while they’re listening to a classroom lecture. But this behavior doesn’t necessarily signal a lack of engagement or an inability to deeply focus, as some educators might fear. They are able to process and absorb information differently than previous generations. The fact is that members of Gen Z—and, quite frankly, many of us—have grown accustomed to simultaneously managing multiple streams of information.

These students are hard-working and ambitious, and just like previous generations, they demand knowledge. But they also crave connection, practical learning experiences, and a clear sense of purpose. Career readiness is a priority from day one, and many visit their university career centers in their first week on campus. In response, business schools must offer programming that balances career preparation with exploration of new fields. This approach will equip students with the skills they need for their first jobs as well as the adaptability they’ll need for lifelong success.

Despite the characteristics these students have in common, they still exhibit a high degree of individuality. It’s difficult to generalize their traits because their experiences and approaches to learning are so varied. As a result, Gen Z is driving institutions to reconsider traditional education methods and adjust to new expectations, as previous generations have done. Understanding and addressing their needs is no longer optional because their presence is reshaping higher education. This requires a fundamental shift in business education.

Educating the New Generation

To effectively engage with today’s students, schools must rethink traditional teaching methods and emphasize dynamic classroom experiences that better fit Gen Z’s learning style. At Villanova University’s School of Business (VSB) in Pennsylvania, our faculty are meeting these requirements in four main ways:

By creating bite-sized content. Today’s students are more likely to excel when material is delivered in short, interactive formats as opposed to lengthy, static lectures. At VSB, many faculty have moved toward presenting 10- to 15-minute intervals of content interspersed with classroom dialogue and supplemented by instructional videos or other activities.

By making connections to current events. Some professors open each class by highlighting related topics in the latest news cycle. For example, a business law professor might discuss real-world cases that range from an intellectual property dispute to a high-profile merger that fails to make it through the approval process. These discussions enable students to see how legal principles affect everyday business challenges.

Similarly, a finance professor might begin class with a debate about what’s happening on Wall Street. Students learn to read past the headlines, analyze emerging trends, and understand how employment and inflation reports are directly linked to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions.

Through such discussions, students come to understand the importance of staying informed about current events. They recognize how these developments might impact potential employers as well as their own future careers.

To effectively engage with today’s students, schools must rethink traditional teaching methods and emphasize dynamic classroom experiences that better fit Gen Z’s learning style.

By providing real-world exposure. To bridge the gap between theory and practice, faculty look for ways to bring the real world into the classroom. This might mean hosting guest speakers, incorporating live cases into the course, or having students tackle actual business problems.

For instance, in VSB’s sophomore-level competitive effectiveness course, students work in teams on semesterlong projects presented by corporate clients, including Johnson & Johnson, Comcast, and IKEA. Through these projects, students refine management skills such as leading teams, setting goals, and giving feedback, as well as marketing skills. As students make their final pitches to clients, they gain invaluable professional experience and a practical understanding of business.

Students gain additional insights into modern-day work environments when they participate in VSB-sponsored site visits to employers such as RBC, Citi, MUFG, and Morgan Stanley. During these outings, they also connect with alumni and network with industry professionals.

By mastering cutting-edge technologies. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming both business and education, and professors who embrace the technology are more likely to foster meaningful connections with their students and inspire them to excel. AI offers immense potential to enhance learning and streamline processes, but it also raises questions about ethics, academic integrity, and the quality of the student experience.

At VSB, we believe it is essential for our faculty to understand AI tools, so we provide teaching and technology support through training, guidance, and other resources. Training is delivered through multiple formats: in person, online, in groups, and through one-on-one consultations. The university also fosters academic excellence through the Villanova Institute for Teaching and Learning (VITAL), which was established in 1998 to act as a hub for promoting innovative teaching and learning.

In addition, the school has established an AI task force to explore AI’s challenges and possibilities within the framework of our Augustinian Catholic mission. We are emphasizing the importance of equipping students with tools for lifelong learning while encouraging their ethical and professional development.

Focusing on Career Readiness

If we want our Gen Z students to be successful, we cannot stop at reconfiguring the classroom and training our faculty in new technology. We also must support our students throughout their professional lives—as they take their first jobs and beyond.

As mentioned above, Gen Z students make career readiness a priority from day one. They often seek guidance on internships, career pathways, and long-term professional growth earlier than previous generations, reflecting their intense drive for financial stability and meaningful work.

At VSB, this drive is illustrated by the numbers of students who pursue internships. Over the past several years, 70 percent of VSB students graduated having completed two or more internships. In 2023, just over 98 percent of VSB students who sought internships or co-op experiences participated in at least one. And in 2022, 60 percent of VSB graduates accepted their first job offers from companies where they had previously interned.

To support students in their career journeys, there are two offices on campus. The University Career Center offers campuswide career coaching, résumé-building assistance, and access to essential resources. In addition, the VSB O’Donnell Center for Professional Development fosters connections with alumni and facilitates visits to companies such as Google, CBS, and Paramount.

If we want our Gen Z students to be successful, we must support them throughout their professional lives—as they take their first jobs and beyond.

VSB also runs Backpack to Briefcase (B2B), a comprehensive, required professional development program that integrates career exploration and professional skill-building activities into the core business curriculum. Because it emphasizes self-assessment, adaptability, and strategic career planning, B2B ensures students are well-prepared for their first jobs as well as for sustained success in evolving industries.

The B2B program offers students opportunities to refine résumés, develop personal brands, and practice networking. It promotes both personal and professional growth by connecting students with employers, career coaches, and alumni. Alumni not only give current students insights into specific roles, industries, and career paths, but they also act as mentors and provide opportunities for students to share their résumés.

In addition, the B2B program encourages students to engage with real-world situations through case competitions and industry projects. For example, all juniors are required to complete our Bartley briefCASE Challenge. Over the course of a weekend, each student team works on a business problem before presenting it to a panel of judges that includes leading industry professionals. Through this competition, students get opportunities to place themselves in front of potential employers who could offer them internships and future jobs.

Balancing Passion and Practicality

Gen Z’s focus on career readiness can, at times, lead to heightened stress. For instance, while internships are important, students often feel immense pressure to secure the “perfect” one, believing that a single wrong step could derail their careers.

Educators and career advisors need to show students that experimentation is part of the process. Career paths are rarely linear, and students should learn that discovering which jobs they don’t want is just as valuable as discovering which ones they do want. To help students navigate the complex job market, professional development programs should emphasize flexibility and personal growth. When students learn to balance ambition with exploration, they will be able to pursue careers thoughtfully and confidently.

Students can learn about various industries when they take multiple internships and externships and when they connect with alumni inside and outside their desired fields. Even if students don’t immediately embrace experimentation, they often discover their passions and build versatile skill sets through this approach.

At Villanova, we’ve found that it’s essential for faculty and advisors to broaden students’ understanding of career possibilities. For many ambitious Gen Z students, the idea of success combines personal fulfillment with financial stability. Although some gravitate toward choosing professions that promise high earnings, we want to ensure that students pursue such careers out of genuine interest, not just practicality.

When we expose our students to diverse paths in a variety of industries, they can make more informed decisions. This approach helps them avoid burnout and regret while equipping them with the tools they need to thrive.

Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders

Gen Z students are not here to follow the status quo—they’re here to question it. They want more hands-on learning and real-world experiences. Sitting through long lectures no longer prepares them for the rapidly evolving business landscape. As they enter the workforce, their desire for innovation and purpose will reshape industries. To keep pace, business schools must adapt and evolve alongside them.

To truly prepare tomorrow’s business leaders, educators must embrace dynamic teaching methods, foster career exploration, and create learning environments that inspire creativity and critical thinking. By equipping students with adaptability, integrity, and resilience, business schools can empower them to lead with confidence—driving progress, innovation, and meaningful change in the world.