Tens of thousands of tech workers have been laid off this year, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by the upcoming generation, signaling the possible end of perks like free meals and substantial stock options.
Former tech giants such as Google, Amazon, and Apple, once highly favored by high school students as potential employers, have seen their popularity decline, according to the 2024 Career Interest Survey by the National Society of High School Scholars. This academic honor society, which has over two million members, conducted the survey from January 17 to March 6, involving over 10,000 participants from across the U.S., U.S. territories, and overseas military bases.
In 2024, Google dropped to seventh place among preferred employers, down three spots from 2022. In 2018, Google was the second-most preferred employer, and it topped the list in 2017. Amazon followed Google as the eighth-most preferred employer for high schoolers in 2024, also slipping three spots from its fifth-place ranking in 2022. Meanwhile, Apple fell from eighth to ninth place between 2022 and 2024.
This shift from 2018 to 2024 might reflect the tech sector’s downturn, marked by massive layoffs starting in 2022. A survey of 2024 college graduates by Handshake, a job search platform for college students, found that 76% of respondents considered job stability the most crucial factor when deciding where to apply. Location was the second-most important factor, followed by a positive employer reputation.
As the tech industry loses its allure for Gen Z, the healthcare sector is gaining interest.
In 2024, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Mayo Clinic, and Health Care Service Corp. emerged as the top preferred employers for high school students. Health and healthcare issues have climbed the list of important concerns for respondents, with 32% citing them as significant. Meanwhile, interest in innovation in science and technology decreased from 34% in 2022 to 28% in 2024.