Career choices are tough, especially when you are just starting out. For Gen Z, the answer might be right in their pocket. A new study from Southeastern Oklahoma State University shows that 1 in 3 Gen Zers are turning to ChatGPT for career advice.
The surprising part is that they are not just testing it out. They are actually taking the advice.
About 25% of Gen Zers have followed ChatGPT’s suggestions about jobs, and only 3% say they regret it. That is a bold shift in how young people are planning their future. And it shows just how much trust this generation puts in AI tools.
Gen Z Is Leading the AI Career Movement
Gen Zers are not waiting around for guidance counselors or LinkedIn webinars. 42% have used AI for big career decisions. That includes things like writing resumes, prepping for interviews, and figuring out what jobs even exist.
Marta / Pexels / The study shows that a staggering 42% of Gen Zers are happy to rely on ChatGPT when making career choices.
Compare that to 34% of millennials, 29% of Gen X, and just 23% of baby boomers. Gen Z is ahead of the game when it comes to using AI for career planning. They see ChatGPT and similar tools not just as helpers but as trusted guides.
However, most Americans still don’t fully trust AI for big decisions. Only 7% say they trust AI more than a human. But Gen Z sees it differently. A quarter of them followed ChatGPT’s career advice and felt good about it. Just a few had regrets.
Another 52% say they “somewhat” trust AI, and 24% trust it as much as a person. That trust isn’t blind. But it is growing fast, especially among people who have grown up with AI all around them.
Career Paths You Didn’t Know Existed
Sometimes, you don’t even know what kind of job you want until someone points it out. That “someone” is now often AI. About 18% of Americans say a chatbot like ChatGPT helped them discover a career they never would have considered.
The fields most explored with AI are tech, healthcare, and finance. These are high-growth areas, and Gen Z is using AI to figure out where they fit in.
Olly / Pexels / Even though Gen Z is using AI more, millennials and Gen X are more likely to suggest others try it. Maybe that is because they have seen enough bad career advice to know what good advice looks like.
Or maybe they see how AI can speed up the process.
Even with AI help, getting hired isn’t easy. Entry-level tech jobs have dropped more than 50% since 2019, which is a huge drop. Gen Z might have better tools, but they are still entering a job market with fewer openings and higher competition.
This is where balance matters. AI can help with ideas and prep work, but it can’t create opportunities out of thin air. That is why experts say AI should be part of the plan, not the whole plan.
Let’s keep it real. ChatGPT doesn’t know everything. It doesn’t know your personality, your work ethic, or how badly you want that job. It gives general guidance based on data, not personal experience.
