Let’s be honest: Gen Z career development is still stuck in systems that treat students like a checkbox or a number: something to be sorted, scored, and steered down a one-size-fits-all path. Most tools are built more for institutions than individuals. But Gen Z isn’t interested in outdated formulas. They’re navigating a world that’s shifting faster than ever, and they’re looking for tools that actually understand who they are and where they want to go.
At Illumanix, we believe they deserve more than a personality quiz and a generic list of college matches; they deserve a seat at the table. That’s why we created the Future 100: a first-of-its-kind cohort where students actively help shape our platform through collaboration, feedback, and real-world input.
This isn’t just about early access or cool perks. It’s about rethinking Gen Z career development through a lens of creativity, inclusivity, and mutual respect.
Gen Z is growing up in an unpredictable world, and many are questioning the traditional college-to-career pipeline. They’re looking for flexible, practical, and purpose-driven paths that align with their values. In fact, a recent survey found that 75% of Gen Z is interested in vocational training or hands-on learning experiences that lead directly to jobs, far from the conventional four-year route (Pillar, Fortune).
This generation has seen older peers struggle with student debt, job insecurity, and an education system that often fails to deliver on its promises. Unsurprisingly, they’re increasingly focused on acquiring practical skills and avoiding unnecessary costs. A 2024 study found that 65% of Gen Z respondents are highly motivated by professional development opportunities, even more than Millennials or Gen Xers (Middleman, Udemy).
Additionally, the Deloitte Global Gen Z & Millennial Survey revealed that 89% of Gen Z value a strong sense of purpose in their work, an indicator that career decisions for this generation go beyond salary or prestige (Faber, Deloitte Insights). They’re seeking meaning, alignment, and opportunities to grow throughout their lives.
All of this points to a simple truth: today’s students don’t just want guidance: they want to co-create the future of career development. And that’s exactly what Illumanix is here to support.
At Illumanix, we believe the best way to create tools that drive lifelong learning and career success is to invite the very people who’ll use them into the design process. Through the Future 100, we’re empowering a select group of 100 teens to help us co-develop the features, tools, and experiences that define our platform.
Participants will:
We’re not building just another app. We’re building a system that supports lifelong learning and career success, from high school through every career pivot to come. That means tools that adapt, grow, and evolve with users, not ones that assume their future can be predicted at 17.
Whether it’s matching with colleges, discovering career paths, or showcasing achievements, Illumanix is about creating clarity in a chaotic world, and doing it with Gen Z, not just for them.
If you’re between 16–18 and have ever thought, “I wish there was something that actually helped me figure out my future” – this is your moment. Come build it with us.
At Illumanix, we believe that the best way to serve Gen Z is to collaborate with them. Because Gen Z career development isn’t just about the destination—it’s about the journey, and the tools we co-create along the way.
(P.S. Mostly human-written, occasionally AI-assisted. Because who wouldn’t want a genius collaborator?)
Sources
Pillar, Sam. “3 in 4 Gen Zers Are Interested in Vocational Training as Uncertainty and AI Shape the Minds of the Next ‘Toolbelt Generation.’” Fortune, 14 June 2024, https://fortune.com/2024/06/14/gen-zers-vocational-training-uncertainty-ai-toolbelt-generation-careers/
Mittleman, Paxton. “New Research Finds 65% of Generation Z Is Eager for Professional Development and Career Growth, Challenging Stereotypes Toward Newest Members of the Workforce.” Udemy, 20 Aug. 2024, https://about.udemy.com/press-releases/new-research-finds-65-of-generation-z-is-eager-for-professional-development-and-career-growth-challenging-stereotypes-toward-newest-members-of-the-workforce/
Faber, Elizabeth. “Gen Zs and Millennials at Work: Pursuing a Balance of Money, Meaning, and Well-Being: What’s Driving the Next Generation of Business Leaders?” Deloitte Insights, 2 June 2025, https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/2025-gen-z-millennial-survey.html
