While the stability that comes with working within the four walls of an office appeals to many people, Generation Z seems to thrive on breaking free from the constraints of employment.

The traditional office environment, with its structured routines and corporate hierarchies, no longer appeals to Gen Z. Instead of chasing stability, they chose to forge their own entrepreneurial path.

A photo of Nicholas Wambugu.

Photo credit: Winnie Kimani/Mtaa Wangu

"I prefer not to work in an office space because, to be honest, the rigid 9 to 5 structure feels like it squeezes the creativity out of me," Nicholas Wambugu, 23, says.

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According to Nicholas, he prefers the flexibility and space of working remotely, which allows him to combine his personal life with his work.

"I embrace the freedom of working remotely and find solace in spaces that allow me to shape an idea. It is not about escaping responsibility, but redefining it on my own terms," he says.

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Nicholas also claims that an office job has endless meetings that become suffocating, he prefers a workplace that values results over clocked hours. In addition, he says, the office environment feels disconnected from the issues that matter to him.

A photo of Ben Wainaina.

Photo credit: Winnie Kimani/Mtaa Wangu

"I choose to create opportunities. The desire and belief that my generation can make a difference by shaping the future is what motivated me to start my own business," Ben Wainaina, 25, says.

Starting his own business was not about avoiding hard work, but rather embracing a different form of it, one where innovation, flexibility and personal passion fuel one's endeavours.

"I embarked on the exciting journey of entrepreneurship due to an unsatisfactory salary, so the office prayer line gradually faded into the background and I immersed myself in building something of my own," he says.

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For young people like Ben and Nicholas, the freedom to take the necessary steps to achieve a desired goal and the potential for meaningful impact seems to have overshadowed the conventional notion.

A photo of Mary Wanja.

Photo credit: Courtesy

According to 20-year-old Mary Wanja, the conversations she has had with other Gen Z women indicate that they value experiences over material possessions and seek out work environments that align with their values and allow them to express themselves.

"In conversations with my fellow Gen Z women, most of whom are 'soft girls', they find bosses who don't prioritise empathy as much as they expect and therefore become job hoppers," says Mary Wanja.

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