Nearly half say careers have benefited from platform, according to report
Gen Zs are boosting their careers through TikTok, according to a new report, which unveiled the impact of the video-sharing platform on the younger generation's aspirations.
EduBirdie's survey among 2,000 Gen Zs in the United States found that 70% are turning to TikTok for career advice.
"Many young people don't want to be TikTok famous, but the video-sharing platform still plays a vital role in their career progression," EduBirdie said on a blog post.
In fact, the report found that 25% of Gen Zs said TikTok helped them increase their salary, while 23% said it helped them land a job.
But TikTok isn't always helpful, according to the report.
More than a quarter (28%) of Gen Zs said they have gotten trouble at work because of what they posted on TikTok, including 15% who have been told off and 13% who got laid off as a result.
Another 11% of the respondents also said they have gotten in trouble at work because they became victim to misinformation on TikTok.
According to these respondents, they got into trouble for sharing at work something that is not entirely true and only learned from a personality on TikTok.
Avery Morgan, chief communications officer at EduBirdie, shared a piece of advice to young people.
"Don't be a boomer and fall victim to misinformation. If you're not fact-checking the things you hear and questioning whether the accounts you follow are legit, the online world will inevitably cause you problems in the real one," Morgan said in a statement.
Impact on careers
TikTok has grown extremely popular since its launch 2016 - and its fame has also made an impact on Gen Zs still trying to figure out what they want in life.
According to the EduBirdie report, 51% of Gen Zs think being a TikTok star can be a viable long-term career, demonstrating how being an online personality has become an attractive career prospect for younger people.
But majority aren't even doing it for the fame, according to the report.
More than three in five (64%) of Gen Zs surveyed said the flexibility that comes with social media success is what makes it more attractive to them.
The result reiterates conclusions from other research about how younger people are putting more premium on flexibility and work-life balance in choosing their next career.
Morgan added that it's "no surprise" that being internet famous is at the top of Gen Zs' job wish list.
"They've grown up watching their favourite stars drive around in Lamborghinis and jet off on luxury holidays every other week," Morgan said. "If that doesn't work out for you, TikTok can be a great place to seek career advice, but it can just as easily damage your job prospects if you blindly believe every tidbit of information you see online."
