Webinar Recap
Thank you to everyone who joined us for The Future Self of Work, Gen Z and Career Identity. If you missed it or want to review, feel free to catch the summary and recording below. Be sure to check out our next event!
Our latest webinar brought together career coaches, platform creators, and passionate educators to explore a timely and complex question: How can we support Gen Z as they navigate the murky waters of modern career identity?
Key Challenges Raised
The discussion opened with reflections on the lived experiences of coaches and the students or professionals they serve. Among the most pressing challenges highlighted were:
Burnout and emotional fatigue especially among early-career professionals in their 20s and 30s.
A loss of confidence particularly for Gen Z, who are entering a volatile job market while still forming their sense of identity.
A widening skills gap not in technical capability, but in human skills like communication, self-reflection, and resilience.
Intergenerational disconnects between Gen Z, Gen X, and Boomers who are struggling to speak the same language around work values and expectations.
Coaches noted that many younger clients are overperforming but feel unanchored, unsure whether the work they’re doing aligns with who they are. This signals a broader cultural challenge: a lack of spaces for intentional career reflection and a rising need for emotional clarity amidst technological acceleration.
The WORK-SELF Response
Wolf and Josh introduced the WORK-SELF platform, an AI-powered coaching environment that blends physical rituals with structured career audits and supportive coaching. Designed to empower individuals with identity-aligned guidance, the platform uses “agentic AI” to create momentum, accountability, and self-understanding, while integrating human coaches and ritual-based prompts to build resilience and inner clarity.
Highlights from the Panel
Burnout often stems from career paths chosen out of obligation rather than joy or alignment.
Societal “shoulds” are affecting Gen Z, we need more storytelling and values-based coaching.
Gen Z’s lack of life experience makes it harder to self-reflect. Universities and coaches need to create more structured spaces for this.
Old new ideas like “silver internships” can connect older professionals and Gen Z talent, bridging generations through mutual learning.
Moving Forward
The conversation concluded with hope: a shared belief that meaningful coaching and intentional tools can rewrite the story of modern work. Participants called for collaboration between institutions, platforms like WORK-SELF, and human guides who can help individuals find grounding, self-trust, and purpose through times of disruption.
A conversation about purpose, pressure, and possibility after graduation.
Hosted by WORK-SELF featuring special guest career coaches Emma Dobinson (founder of Creative Reset) and Amanda Davie (co-founder and co-CEO Equal Talent).
Key details
Platform: Hosted live on Google Meet
Date/Time: September 18th, 2025 from 13:00-14:00 BST
Cost: Free to attend
The Future Self of Work, Gen Z and Career Identity
University taught you how to think critically. But did it prepare you for the emotional weight of choosing a career? If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by options, unsure of your direction, or stuck between “what I should do” and “what I actually want,” this event is for you.
We’re bringing together students, recent grads, and career development leaders to explore the deeper questions young adults are asking about work today:
What if I don’t know who I want to be yet?
How do I build a career that reflects my real values, not just my CV?
Is it normal to feel lost, even with a degree in hand?
This webinar isn’t about writing a perfect cover letter. It’s about making space for reflection, identity, and inner voice. Career isn’t just a job search, it’s a self-story in progress.
Format:
10-min student story sharing real-world experience
30-min panel discussion on career transition
Interactive polls like “What word best describes how you feel about your future career?”
20-min live reflection in small breakout groups
Why Attend:
Feel seen in your career uncertainty without the pressure to perform
Learn from real experiences and academic insights on student identity development
Connect with others navigating the same unknowns
Speakers:
Your future isn’t a formula, it’s a conversation. Let’s start it together.