Gen Z & Their Parents: The Rise of 'Career Co-Piloting' at Work
Gen Z & Their Parents: The Rise of 'Career Co-Piloting' at Work
Helicopter parents are taking their involvement to the next level, stepping into their adult Gen Z children's careers. From job applications to Zoom interviews, find out what 'career co-piloting' looks like and why it's
Remember when ‘helicopter parenting’ was just about school projects and college applications? Well, it seems that era is long gone! Parents are now extending their deep involvement right into their adult children's professional lives, and it's becoming a major trend as Gen Z makes up nearly one-fifth of the adult workforce.
Parents in the Professional Playground
We’re talking about parents helping with job applications, actively networking on their kids’ behalf, contacting recruiters, and even, yes, joining job interviews! And it doesn’t stop there. When things get tough at work, guess who’s often the first to step in?
Take the story of Steven Clark, COO of a staffing firm in Fairbanks, Alaska. He once had to let go of a 24-year-old employee who couldn't quite grasp the concept of showing up for work on time. The next thing he knew, he was having the exact same conversation with the employee’s mother, who called to demand another chance for her son. Clark recounted the heated exchange, emphasizing, 'Look, you know, this is between us and your son. He’s the employee.' Talk about awkward!
This isn't just an isolated incident. Career coach Jasmine Escalera has coined the term 'career co-piloting' to describe this shift. It’s not just an occasional ride-along to an interview; it's full-blown, direct involvement. We're seeing parents call hiring managers, apply for jobs for their kids, and even appear (or hover just out of frame) during Zoom calls dealing with tricky workplace conversations or benefits discussions. Clark himself mentioned receiving calls from parents questioning why their child wasn't hired. It's a whole new world out there for HR departments and managers!
The Grey Area: When is Involvement Okay?
Now, before we jump to conclusions, it's crucial to acknowledge that not all parental involvement is seen as out of line. There's a definite grey area. Some parents feel compelled to intervene because they believe the current job market is incredibly tough for young adults. Others step in when their child might be dealing with social anxiety, a truly toxic boss, or what they perceive as unfair treatment.
It raises some interesting questions: Are these parents helping or hindering their children’s professional growth? Is it a sign of a challenging job market, or perhaps a generational shift in how families support each other? One thing's for sure: 'career co-piloting' is a trend that's sparking a lot of conversations in the modern workplace. What do you think about parents taking such an active role in their adult children’s careers?
