Generation Z. Edgers. The Obama Generation. Born after 1995, they are defined by statistics such as 42% want to start their own business and 38% plan to invent something, according to a study by generational consulting company BridgeWorks.

“Edgers may be more likely to prefer to face a challenge alone without seeking advice,” said Hannah Ubl, researcher with BridgeWorks. “Millennials collaborated from a young age and generally prefer to seek consensus from every person before making a final decision."

Gen Z is going to need this entrepreneurial tendency because they will reportedly face a shortage of employment opportunities due to the impact of the digital manufacturing era.

"Some 5 million people will be unemployed by 2035 because of digital manufacturing," said Mervyn King, chair of the International Integrated Reporting  Council (IIRC) who is based in South Africa.

Digital manufacturing refers to three-dimensional printing that creates product and manufacturing process definitions simultaneously.

Dubbed the Obama Generation, these kiddos are also the last generation of the Caucasian majority, having watched the nation’s first American president of color rebuild the economy after the 2008 financial crisis.

“This generation is growing up in a more diverse and inclusive society therefore they will have high expectations of diversity and inclusion represented in the workplace,” said Ubl.

Edgers are also growing up surrounded by selfies posted on social media, embedded videos on twitter, unending Facebook feeds and video capabilities on their smart phones. Think Kim Kardashian's daughter North West and David Beckham’s sons Cruz, Brooklyn and Romeo.

"Generation Z has access to more information on how to survive in the world, which will give them financial stability sooner," said Terri Liselle, who authored the book The Millennial Woman (Amazon Digital Services, 2014).

Part of that survival mentality comes from the constant stream of information to which this generation has grown accustomed and that makes them a more tech savvy generation that is adept at spreading their focus across at least five devices.

"Gen Z interacts daily across a plethora of screens that can be their smart phone, tablet, iPad, traditional television, desktop and gaming consoles or devices," said Matt Smith, chief evangelist with Anvato, an advertising and content delivery platform. "This is up from the number of screens that Millennials grew up using and is likely to grow again with the next generation after Gen Z."

Edgers are also set to use their economic autonomy and constant access to information to be more proactive in avoiding financial hardships.

“Millennials grew up in a booming economy and were only affected by the recession during high school or college,” said Ubl. “Edgers, on the other hand, saw their parents, aunts, uncles or neighbors lose their jobs or possibly their homes when they were nine years old.

Their older siblings moved home after graduation to work as a barista and sleep on the couch."

This exposure to economic hardship is forming an emerging generation that will likely make more sound financial decisions.


Some 44% of Edgers worry about college debt, and 64% are concerned with landing a job after college.

“Gen Edge is pragmatic and more likely to stay close to home for college rather than fly to a private school,” Ubl said.

Gen Edgers are also more comfortable failing with 71% expecting to fail before achieving success. As a result, employers are expected to struggle with the Edgers' mentality of not reaching out to their management team when they make a mistake.

These youngsters reportedly just don’t have that kind of patience, having learned self-reliance from their Gen X slacker parents. Their bosses, who will likely be aging millennials by the time Edgers are employed, can expect a handful.

Juliette Fairley is an author, lecturer and TV host based in New York. To read more of her work, Click Here Now.