Tens of thousands of tech workers have lost their jobs this year, and the next generation has noticed that the era of free meals and generous stock options may be ending.
Previously, tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Apple were near the top of the “preferred employer” list for high school students. However, they have slid down the rankings according to the 2024 Career Interest Survey by the National Society of High School Scholars, which has over two million members. This survey, conducted from January 17 to March 6, included over 10,000 participants from the U.S. and U.S. territories, as well as overseas military bases.
In 2024, Google dropped to seventh place among preferred employers, three spots down from 2022. Back in 2018, Google had been the second most preferred employer for high schoolers and had topped the list in 2017. Amazon followed Google as the eighth preferred employer for high school students in 2024, down from fifth place in 2022. Apple also saw a decline, falling from eighth to ninth place between 2022 and 2024.
This shift from 2018 to 2024 may reflect the tech sector’s decade-long boom meeting its downfall through massive layoffs beginning in 2022. In a survey of 2024 college graduates by Handshake, a job search platform for college students, 76% of respondents emphasized job stability as the most crucial factor when considering where to apply. The second most important factor was location, followed by positive employer reputation.
While the tech industry seems to be losing appeal among Gen Z, healthcare is becoming more attractive.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Mayo Clinic, and Health Care Service Corp. ranked as the top preferred employers for high school students in 2024. Healthcare issues climbed the list of important concerns among respondents, with 32% identifying it as a key issue. Meanwhile, interest in innovation in science and technology dropped from 34% in 2022 to 28% in 2024.