In a surprising shift, Gen Z graduates are turning away from the high-paying world of tech in favor of careers that offer more meaning, more vacation—and a lot less money. According to new data from LinkedIn, young professionals are increasingly choosing roles in teaching and public service, despite the lower salaries.
The platform’s latest graduate insights show that the appeal of software engineering, product design, and other traditional tech pathways is declining among fresh university grads. In its place? Education, government, and nonprofit work are seeing a spike in interest.
The allure of time off—and purpose
For Gen Z, the post-pandemic reality has recalibrated career priorities. Teaching roles, despite modest pay, often come with structured hours, extended holidays, and the promise of doing something that “matters.”
“They’re asking a different question now,” said LinkedIn’s head of global insights, Kate Wood. “It’s not just, ‘What job pays the most?’ but, ‘What job lets me live the life I want?’”
This echoes a broader cultural shift among Gen Z toward sustainability, mental health, and work-life balance. Unlike older generations, they’re willing to trade income for time and values.
Tech fatigue is real
For years, tech jobs symbolized the gold standard for new grads. But burnout, mass layoffs, and shifting public sentiment around Big Tech seem to have eroded that image. LinkedIn’s report shows that applications for entry-level tech roles are down 18% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, applications for roles in K–12 education, social work, and public sector administration have jumped by more than 30%.
Teachers over coders
LinkedIn’s data reveals that the top trending job among Gen Z graduates in 2025 is… primary school teacher. Not UX designer. Not data scientist. A profession that’s known more for passion than paychecks.
And it’s not just a U.S. trend. In the UK, Germany, and Australia, similar patterns are emerging. Public service positions, especially those tied to education and child development, are climbing in popularity among new grads.
A risk—or the start of a reset?
Some economists worry this shift could have long-term effects on innovation and productivity. Others see it as a healthy reset in a labor market that’s become too focused on income-maximizing logic.
“Gen Z is forcing companies to rethink what attracts talent,” said workplace analyst Carla Meredith. “If tech wants them back, it’ll need to offer more than beanbags and stock options.”
As more young professionals chase purpose over prestige, industries across the board may need to adjust expectations. For now, the blackboard may be beating the keyboard.
