Left to right: Valerie Capers Workman, Gali Arnon, Megan Sauer and Novo Constare at SXSW 2024. Courtesy: Fiverr 

By Allison Teegardin 

Israeli executive and graduate of Tel Aviv University in Israel Gali Arnon, the chief business officer at Fiverr, spoke at SXSW for her first time on March 10, 2024. On a panel titled, Gen Z at Work: Corporate Ladder or Career Playground? Arnon, along with Valerie Capers Workman of Handshake and Novo Constare of Indeed Flex, discussed how Gen Z is transforming the world of work. The panel was moderated by Gen Zer, Megan Sauer of CNBC Make It. 

Gen Zers, sometimes also referred to as “Zoomers” entered the workforce during a global pandemic, economic uncertainty, and widespread layoffs. This environment has shifted many to abandon what was once the goal for many employees – to climb the corporate ladder- and are seeking a new way of working, which often isn’t taking place in a 9-5 corporate setting. What is more, with this generation expected to comprise one-third of the workforce by 2025, their impact will be felt at large.  

So, what is it that Gen Zers want from work? To help answer this million-dollar question, Fiverr conducted a global study of Gen-Zers in partnership with Censuswide. “What we found out is that 70% of Gen Z are considering freelancing as their main way of making a living,” Arnon said. “They want flexibility and at the same time, consistency. One of the things that is important to them is to control their own lives and be their own boss and control their destiny.”  

Not everyone in the workforce thinks like Gen Zers. Generational gaps have always existed and finding ways to bridge the gap can be challenging for some. Arnon offered this piece of advice to the audience; “Look at them (Gen Z) not from above but look at them in the eyes, understand they grew up differently. They grew up with a phone in their hands, their attitude to technology is different, they care about different things and that is fine. They are an amazing generation. They are adaptive and agile. They have amazing skills. They are fast learners, and they want to succeed. The more we put ourselves in their shoes, the more successful this dynamic and conversation is going to be.” 

Another aspect of the changing work environment that was discussed by the panelists is that employees are increasingly expecting their employers to take a stand on social justice issues and calling for action from their employers.  

“I think it’s beneficial for employers to respond by engaging with communities and forming partnerships with organizations focused on social justice,” Arnon said. “This is what Fiverr is doing with our initiatives including the Future Collective. The mission of The Future Collective is to support Black entrepreneurs within the Fiverr ecosystem by maximizing their opportunities for growth.”  Another partnership Fiverr is proud of is Ideatorr. “In collaboration with football star Bukayo Saka and UK agency Youth Beyond Borders, Ideatorr was created to equip young and motivated entrepreneurs with the necessary skills, resources, and guidance to bring their social enterprise and community-based ideas to life.” 

Following the panel discussion, The Jewish Outlook asked Arnon what would be one of the top takeaways from the information-packed session that she hoped people would carry with them. “I hope the audience took away that our youngest members of today’s workforce, Gen Zers, have faced nothing but hurdles – a global pandemic and unprecedented development in technology. Now, in the face of layoffs and the implementation of AI across the corporate world, Gen Z workers are relying on themselves for the stability that they need to pursue their career ambitions by choosing freelancing. Not only does freelancing offer a stable path to be their own boss or to own their own business, but it also allows for Gen Z to have total autonomy over their own lives.”