Dear diary,
I won’t claim to be the spokesperson for my fellow Gen-Zers, but I know many of us often feel like we’re winging it. Not just occasionally, but most of the time.
“Fake it till you make it” isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s practically a survival tactic. As my team likes to say, “delulu is the only solulu”—credit where credit’s due.
Since stepping into the brand-new world of commercial real estate, that mantra has become my compass. I can’t help but admire my dad, who has stuck to one career path his entire life. Watching him dedicate himself to a single field has always been inspiring.
My career path, however, has been anything but linear. It’s more like a scattered map of experiences. I’ve jumped from graduating as a Part 1 architect to an 18-month internship in facilities management at Dior, and I now find myself navigating the complexities of corporate real estate.
The corporate world can be overwhelming, to say the least. It often feels like a labyrinth of unspoken rules and high expectations, enough to make even the most confident professionals second-guess themselves. Adding to that, my own journey has had its fair share of hurdles.
Being on a visa has brought an extra layer of uncertainty and complexity to my career. Navigating work authorisation processes can feel like scaling a mountain, especially at a time in my life when stability felt like an unattainable dream. Add the visa, the fact that I didn’t grow up in the UK to make the right connections, and that I don’t have any connections to my own professional world, has been a lot to say the least. I have felt my insecurities the most at moments like this.
What I’ve learned, though, is that confidence doesn’t come from knowing all the answers. It comes from embracing the unknown and showing up anyway. For me, this journey is just as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In simpler terms, I’m just here for the vibes.
One thing I’ve noticed about Gen-Z is that we’re a generation of yappers, and I love it, because I know that it’s how I cope. At work, I know I’ll end up oversharing about my life or venting about something; thankfully, my team seems to embrace this openness. We operate in a “no such thing as TMI” zone (or so I hope). Still, I often wonder where the boundaries lie. How do we strike a balance between authenticity and professionalism in a world that still values polished facades?
This challenge—of staying true to ourselves while meeting societal expectations—is one that Gen-Z faces head-on. According to a LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Index, 72% of Gen-Z professionals believe that authenticity is vital in the workplace, even if it means challenging traditional norms. Raised in an era dominated by social media, we’re accustomed to blurring the lines between personal and professional. While this openness can foster genuine connections, it’s not without its risks.
As I continue to navigate this path, I’ve realized the importance of resilience, adaptability, and gratitude. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, the lessons I’ve learned, and the people who have supported me along the way (I know you know who you are). I know I don’t have all the answers, but I’m committed to finding them—one step at a time.
Mentorship has also played a key role in my growth. A recent study by Olivet Nazarene University found that 76% of Gen-Z professionals see mentorship as crucial to career success. For me, mentorship hasn’t always come from a single person. Instead, I’ve found guidance in peers, managers, and even chance encounters. These interactions have taught me that wisdom often comes from the most unexpected places.
To my fellow Gen-Z professionals: embrace the chaos and remember, you’re not alone. We’re all figuring it out—one email, one meeting, and one awkward small-talk conversation at a time. We’re a generation of change-makers, striving to build workplaces that are more inclusive, flexible, and human.
So, let’s keep sharing our stories, lifting each other up, and redefining success on our own terms. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. Signing off.
