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For many young people today, work is no longer something to tick off as a box for their entire lives. Of course, you need to earn a living, there’s no getting around that, but there’s no question of letting work take over at the expense of freedom, experiences and the meaning they want to give to their everyday lives.
Generation Z isn’t here to choose between a career and travelling; it’s reshaping work so that it fits with its vision (and that’s OK).
But who exactly is this generation, and what does it want?
As a reminder, Generation Z refers to those born between 1997 and 2012 and is considered the first “true” digital-native generation. Independent, resourceful, and able to learn independently, they are comfortable navigating a digital environment while remaining deeply committed to strong values such as diversity, inclusion, and equality.
According to a 2025 study by Great Place to Work, 64% of Generation Z respondents feel that they can be themselves at work, something they consider very important. No need to fake it until you make it!
In Luxembourg, Generation Z already represents 13% of the total population, or around 88,000 people, and its influence on the labour market is expected to continue growing in the years ahead (SLAY).
One particularly sensitive and widely debated topic at the moment is this generation’s view of work. For them, a job is no longer just about the salary. Young talent is above all looking for purpose in their work, with a desire to make a tangible contribution to social or environmental issues.
According to a 2021 study conducted by the Carson College of Business, 75% of respondents consider a healthy work-life balance to be very important, while 70% want to work for a company whose values align with their own.
Contrary to stereotypes such as being "screen addicts", "lazy" or even "stupid" (forgive the wording, we’re just as shocked), they aren’t running away from work! Instead, they are more likely to change jobs in search of a better balance, a suitable salary or work that feels meaningful.
POV: when you tell Generation Z they’re lazy
Work for Gen Z
When it comes to work, they want to be stimulated by what they do. They’re looking for a job that will help them grow, give them confidence and autonomy, and allow them to progress quickly (nothing but Green Flags, really).
According to a global Deloitte survey conducted in 2025, 68% of Generation Z respondents say they develop skills to improve their career at least once a week. Companies therefore need to rethink the way they recruit and retain this generation. Salary transparency and flexibility are becoming essential, and many believe that regularly changing companies is necessary to improve both their salary and the level of interest in their role.
Working no longer means being stuck behind a desk. Hybrid roles, as well as opportunities for mobility or career changes, are essential for making work fit around their lives and ambitions. With an openness to new opportunities, this generation tends to change industries or professions more regularly.
In Luxembourg, the job market for young people is particularly attractive. On the Moovijob.com job board, 35% of vacancies are open to beginners and candidates with little or no previous experience.
Against a backdrop of rapid transformation in the workplace, this demographic is expected to experience above-average employment growth in Luxembourg compared with the European Union as a whole, with annual growth of more than 1.5% until 2035, according to a report by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training.
Generation Z replying to a passive-aggressive email be like
Travel for Gen Z
And then there’s the dream that comes up time and time again: travelling. Today, going abroad has become easier and more accessible than ever. Low-cost airlines have opened up new possibilities, making it possible to see the world without breaking the bank, while experiences such as Erasmus have become so mainstream that not giving it a go almost seems outdated.
Then there’s the influence of social media. Seeing someone set off on a trip can instantly spark the desire to do the same and fuel that need for discovery. According to a study conducted by the SiteMinder platform, 84% of young Gen Z travellers say that reviews and content they see on social media influence their choices before booking a trip.
For them, travelling is no longer a luxury, but an almost natural part of building their journey and experiences. They want to discover new places, explore other cultures, meet people, share moments and enjoy experiences outside their everyday lives.
Generation Z on her way to conquering the world of work
So, travelling or working?
Working and travelling are no longer incompatible. For Generation Z, the goal is more about finding a balance between career and freedom. The good news is that nowadays, many people are managing to combine both with their work. Some choose to become digital nomads*, others take advantage of a business trip to extend their stay, while some simply decide to live abroad for a few weeks or months for a change of scenery.
Adapting to a new environment, developing cultural awareness, becoming more independent or learning a new language, such as English, which can be a real asset in certain sectors in Luxembourg. International experiences are now seen as a genuine sign of professional maturity, while less linear career paths are increasingly finding their place in Luxembourg, a multicultural country.
From an employer’s perspective, this generation is often seen as a reflection of a rapidly changing world. It is both a driving force behind digitalisation and more sustainable strategies, but also a real challenge when it comes to retaining talent.
On Moovijob.com, we can clearly see this trend. Jobs offering flexibility and remote working are hugely attractive to young professionals.
In Luxembourg, the working culture is highly flexible. More and more companies are offering flexible working hours, already transforming employees’ daily lives and making it easier to combine work and travel. Some go even further by offering the possibility of taking a sabbatical, allowing employees to travel for a few months without being paid, while guaranteeing that their job will be waiting for them when they return.
Anne-Charlotte, 27, chose to put her career on hold for eight months to travel around Southeast Asia. It was a decision she had been planning for several years and eventually made possible thanks to an unpaid leave arrangement negotiated with her employer.
"There was nothing stopping me. I didn’t have any major commitments yet, and I thought it was the right time to do it."
Far from being simply a "gap" on her CV, the experience allowed her to develop soft skills that she now uses in her professional life.
"I’m quite introverted, but this trip taught me to reach out to other people. I don’t think you should be afraid to make connections, whether with strangers while travelling or in the workplace. Worst case, the answer is no. Best case, it opens up opportunities."
For Anne-Charlotte, travelling does not mean giving up on her career. Quite the opposite: this break allowed her to confirm what she was really looking for.
"Travelling didn’t change my view of work; it reinforced it. I love my job, but I want to maintain a balance between my professional and personal life."
Our ultimate advice for employers: supporting this kind of initiative attracts young talent, strengthens employee loyalty and perfectly matches their aspirations.
Anne-Charlotte’s advice: there is no perfect time to leave. Whether it’s straight after graduating or after several years of experience, the important thing is to choose a time that suits your situation and not let fear hold you back from a project you genuinely want to pursue.
But it’s also important to keep your feet on the ground. Not every company can offer the possibility of working from anywhere in the world, and this depends heavily on the size of the company and its industry. In healthcare or construction, for example, particularly for jobs that require people to be on site, remote working remains fairly limited.
Are you a young professional looking for a job that reflects who you are in Luxembourg?
Don’t miss the must-attend careers event for professionals with up to five years of experience in Luxembourg: the Unicareers job fair.
*A digital nomad is a professional who relies on digital tools (a computer, the internet, etc.) to work remotely while travelling regularly.