
While career shakeups have been constant since 2020, widespread 

 in 2023 has made it clear that even those who are set on a conventional career path will have to learn to navigate a shifting technological
landscape. As 

, careers are becoming increasingly ‘squiggly’, as people hop around related roles based on 

, rather than progress in a linear
fashion. This is leading to an increase in upskilling: 20% of American Gen Yers have returned to some kind of formal education in the past six months, according to Canvas 8 survey from June 2023. While this desire to becompetitive is driving an increase in 

 among young Americans, keeping up with the job market is a growing concern across generations. Gen Xers in Japan are changing jobs at 

 than any other generation, signalling a global need for 

 to serve the already-incipient career zig zag.


As the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze household budgets, many workers are beginning to think that taking up side hustles is a quicker way to financial stability than the career ladder. Receptive to the sought-after promises of the gig economy, establishes companies like the trading firm 

 are willing to change working hours to allow employees to take up approved side hustles. More broadly, Gen Zers are willing to 

 what careerism looks like, building broad skill sets rather than specializing in one field. Similarly, employers are looking to hire those with 

, prioritizing flexibility over specialization. In a world where communication is increasingly visual, 

 of employers expect non-design roles to have extensive design knowledge and creative experience, pointing towards a growing generalization of hire demands.


Despite the flexibility of non-traditional career paths, long-standing employment inequality issues remain. 

 abound in the hybrid working era, leading as many as 

of Black employees to want to quit their current jobs. Indeed, 32% of non-White workers in the US feel that White supremacy is happening or being supported at their workplace, according to a Canvas8 survey from June 2023. And while the gig economy and widespread retraining promise greater possibilities for everyone, the picture is not equally rosy for all demographics. The post-pandemic employment shakeups are leading to hiring discrimination 

 with higher salary expectations, while over 

 of stay-at-home mothers in the US are experiencing challenges re-entering the workforce. While companies are eager to communicate their DEI initiatives, the 

 remains persistent, forcing the underrepresented workers to expose 

of US Gen Yers have made  money through a side hustle in  the last 6 months

At a time when AI and automation are causing widespread labor market disruption, workers are having to adapt their skills to meet a new reality. With both creativity and technical knowledge in high demand, how can brands and educators balance arts and STEM learning to prepare the future workforce?

How can STEM and arts education be intertwined?

Gen Zers have been labeled lazy by the corporate world because their ambition looks different from their predecessors in the workplace. Further inspection of their work ethic shows that it extends beyond their nine-to-five, with side hustles challenging the anti-ambition accusation.

Gen Z are redefining career ambition

Skills like visual communication are becoming highly coveted by employers, but many people don't have access to tools to help develop these skills. As a result of competitive job markets, people are increasingly looking to upskill to meet their own expectations and those of prospective employers.

Employers are increasingly expecting multifaceted hires

A CrowdStrike software update on July 19th caused millions of Windows-powered devices to go offline. The outage reanimated anti-work sentiments, as people joked about wishing the issue had affected their workplace or implored whoever was responsible to knock out other Microsoft tools, too.

Microsoft outage memes rekindle anti-work sentiment

The UK criminal justice system is in crisis. In response to prison system challenges, a craft brewery in Oxford is offering training in ale brewing to previously incarcerated Britons, supporting new starts while addressing labour shortage challenges plaguing the country.

Tap brewery's training targets reoffending rates in UK

Ongoing inflationary pressures are set to dampen back-to-school spending in the US as parents take a restrained approach to consumption ahead of the new school year. Families are prioritizing value, and they look to brands that can help ease the pressure of back-to-school spending.

Financial strain squeezes US back-to-school spending

Gen Z don't want to work in tech, resonating with broader shift amongst this cohort towards more values-led employment. As young people reassess their career aspirations, brands have the opportunity to showcase their commitment to sustainability, social impact, and employee wellbeing.

Tech jobs lose lustre for values focussed Gen Z

Co-op has become the first UK retailer to publish a report on its socioeconomic pay gap. The company’s decision to go public with its pay gap reporting is likely to resonate well with customers who are increasingly expecting brands to provide transparency on DE&I.

Co-op report spotlights socioeconomic pay gap

Young Japanese workers are paying ‘resignation agents’ to help them with the complications of quitting their jobs. In the context of intense work culture, the move speaks to how Gen Z are hacking their way through difficult circumstances and finding novel ways to avoid uncomfortable situations. 

Young Japanese workers turn to resignation agents

The geography of jobs is changing, and although it’s not yet clear how things will shake out in the long term, digital nomadism is on the rise – though the stereotype of the White surfer bro coding at the beach is long outdated. So, who are today’s digital nomads and what are their challenges?

How digital nomads are shattering the status quo

Nursing homes all over China have been transformed into low-cost hostels, attracting the nation’s young and burnt-out working class. More Gen Zers and Yers are shifting their life goalposts to align with their values, driving them to find respite in the pastoral away from the urban grind.

Chinese youth seek solace in repurposed nursing homes

TikTok users are divided over 'coffee badging' – an office trend where workers show up, get a coffee, and go home to finish the day. The trend points to a desire for greater career autonomy and is part of how younger generations question traditional work structures and office norms.

‘Coffee badging’ showcases desires for flexible work

Educational inclusivity is struggling to keep up with language shifts in a globalized world. Targeting language barriers, Timekettle rolled out AI-powered earbuds that translate taught content live for Texan school children whose levels of English proficiency prevent them from understanding it.

Timekettle leverages AI to push for school inclusivity 

European freelancers are looking to stay freelance long-term, according to research, pointing to a major shift in working norms post-pandemic. As workers have grown accustomed to the freedom of freelancing, many have begun to prioritise flexibility over economic security.

European freelancers rethink working norms

Australians in urban centres spend approximately an hour commuting daily, depending on which major city they live in. With the rise in the cost of living, changes in hybrid working options, and emphasis on ‘greener’ commuting choices, how and how long people commute daily is evolving.

Australian public transport faces a crisis – how are Aussies coping?

Many young Chinese singles are focusing on themselves rather than getting married and starting a family. Although a rising singles economy leads to lower birth rates and an ageing population, changing social norms have allowed Chinese youth to explore who they are and their adult life priorities.

A new era of Chinese singles is shaping the economy

According to new research, Gen Zers and their bosses have vastly different standards when it comes to punctuality, hinting at a growing generational divide in the workplace. Remote work is nudging young people into more laid-back mentalities, and workplaces are struggling to adjust.

Gen Zers' punctuality problems signal workplace divide

Architecture has historically been a male-led discipline, and even though the industry is transforming to become more inclusive, there are still barriers relating to pay, access, and exposure. So, how can the sector uplift women’s contributions and cultivate more equitable environments?

How can the architecture sector support female talent?

Target is launching an AI-enabled chatbot for employees, evidencing the ways AI is shifting customer service expectations. However, as technology continues to impact daily life, mixing artificial intelligence with human knowledge ensures that shoppers still have a human-centric experience.

Target launches AI tool to help workers on the job

Fashion retailer giant ASOS has warned its creative, marketing, and production teams that they may face disciplinary action if they don’t attend the majority of meetings in person. This act signals the growing tension between innovation and remote working seen across many industries.

ASOS discourages staff from remote working

Forget working from home. Little National is finding its niche among digital nomads looking to work from anywhere. Small and perfect travel, hotels, and stays mean focusing on convenience, comfort, and design. As domestic travel rebounds, Aussie hotels are hitting new highs. Can they meet demand?

Why Little National localises nomadic vacays for Aussies

In Africa, there’s a desire to adopt digital literacy and improve technical skills to keep up with the rising demand for tech jobs. By offering innovative educational solutions, platforms such as AltSchool Africa are closing the digital skills gap and equipping Africa’s workforce for the future.

How AltSchool impacts digital education in Africa

The new rhythms of hybrid work are creating greater flexibility for most, but they may be contributing to employees feeling disconnected. Conversations around hybrid work often focus on productivity, but greater interactivity and connection could boost productivity in the longer term.

Businesses innovate to solve hybrid work loneliness

Libraries in the US are offering family-friendly workstations with play areas, ensuring a safe environment for kids while their parents use computer resources. This move makes libraries more inclusive, particularly for people without affordable childcare or internet at home.

US libraries are dedicating workstations to parents

Sony is planning to launch an academy aimed at developing talent involved in the creation of anime. As the art form continues to grow in popularity among young people worldwide, brands have the opportunity to immerse themselves in fandoms by funding and collaborating with local creators.

Sony expands offerings with anime academy

Upwork has become the world's largest work marketplace for freelancers, connecting businesses with highly skilled independent professionals worldwide. As many people turn to freelancing amid more flexible and remote working lives, the platform provides exposure and access to paid opportunities.

How Upwork provides a framework for the freelance boom

Also known as the ‘sandwich generation’ with demands from both elderly parents and children, Gen X face a double whammy on their finances. While some take on C-suite positions, others are facing redundancy, so what are they looking for from work and how can organizations help them?

What do Gen Xers want from the workplace?

How is Japan’s shrinking, ageing population impacting locals’ decisions? Are government efforts to regulate work hours actually leading to shifts in Japan’s notoriously overworked society? This Cultural Snapshot uses local stats to explore the behavioural norms shared by people in Japan in 2024.

A Cultural Snapshot of Japan: 2024

Chinese youth are fleeing megacities in favor of slower lives in small towns, as money worries and a tough job market hamper their ambition. As economic troubles continue to leave young people behind, many are reacting by changing their priorities and looking for slower lives in smaller cities.

Chinese youth flee megacities for a slower life

As workers and their employers clash over return-to-office mandates, questions remain about how workers manage their work-life balance in this new environment. Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Brad Aeon, a time management researcher, about the future of productivity in and outside the workplace.

Brad Aeon on the future of hybrid work and productivity

Book a driverless taxi in LA. Fall in love with an AI boyfriend. Let Tesla’s Optimus robot cook you poached eggs for breakfast. Despite the convenience, rapid tech advancements are igniting anxieties about human work, ethics, and purpose. Are our fears overblown, or is this the beginning of the end?

Humanity vs technology: is there a war to be won?

The 2024 Generational Snapshot of Boomers explores why this generation is looking for new experiences, how they’re finding meaning after retirement, and how they’re leveraging technology to take more active care of their health – all in the shadow of the cost of living crisis.

2024 Generational Snapshot of Boomers

Facing a labour shortage, a German transport company is training students to drive trams on the weekends and between classes. With public services at risk due to a lack of skilled workers, there are growing demands for training and upskilling opportunities to attract young people.

German students drive trams amid labour shortages

Why are China’s youth giving up their hard-earned credentials to become ‘full-time children?’ How did rest become an act of rebellion? How has the pandemic affected shopping habits in China? This Cultural Snapshot uses local stats to explore the behavioural norms shared by people in China in 2024.

A Cultural Snapshot of China: 2024

Urban youth in Vietnam are feeling increasingly disillusioned by the promise of social mobility due to a housing crisis and the effects of ‘flex’ culture, leading them to redefine their adulthood. What does this mean for brands looking to engage with Vietnamese Gen Zers?

Why adulthood looks different for Vietnamese Gen Zers

Are Gen Zers' workplace priorities set to change the UK's job market for good? Canvas8 spoke to British Gen Zers to hear their take on work-life balance, career progression, social opportunities in the office, and what they want from their employers.

What do UK Gen Zers value in their careers?

In 2024, Gen Zers are set to make up a larger proportion of the workforce than Boomers. In prioritizing work-life balance, upskilling, and flexibility, how will these young employees shape the future of work? Canvas8 spoke to seven young American employees to find out what they value in their jobs.

What do American Gen Zers value in their careers?

What is behind the rise of anti-work sentiment? How is AI continuously upending the workforce landscape? What do Gen Zers want from their careers? And how is the demand for more positive, engaged and active approaches to education putting Gen Alpha on their future career paths?

Careers Sector Snapshot: March 2024

Anti-work sentiment is rising. While people previously campaigned for change, now they're keen to publicly denounce the broken system without much hope for anything better. This exposes various generational issues in the workplace: Gen Zers are trying to adapt to rigid environments, while Gens X and Y are increasingly disappointed with their rates of progress and frustrated by overall financial hardship.

Done with Work

OIder generations have long felt under pressure to be perceived as the type of employees who go the extra mile, but this is no longer the case for many Gen Zers. From being more honest about their desire for work-life balance to shaking up office attire and networking through dating apps, young people are looking for a more casual and honest approach to the workplace.

Gen Z Shifters

As generative AI continues to permeate every aspect of everyday life, people are using it to make light work of their jobs. While some employers are integrating AI at a company level, employees and freelancers are also taking matters into their own hands, using it to hack the system to work for them.

D-AI-ly Grind

Gen Alpha is facing a global literary crisis after the pandemic hampered their learning and development skills, with young children particularly afflicted by poor mental health and social development setbacks. As a result, there’s a demand for more positive, engaged, and active approaches to education focused on real-life issues.

Gen Alpha Headstarts 

Globally, people are becoming bolder in demanding change, as demonstrated by the uptick in industrial action, especially in South Korea, where doctors are striking. For brands, this highlights the need to address societal challenges so people feel heard and in control of their lives. 

Medical reforms surface tensions among South Koreans 

No country anywhere in the world offers women the same career opportunities as men, according to a new report from the World Bank, which accounts for the impact of childcare on the labour market. Women are looking for employers to acknowledge and account for gender-specific issues in the workplace.

World Bank report signals need for more maternity leave

Smithsonian Women’s History Museum has organized a free 'Wikipedia Edit-a-thon' online to address the gender gap in biographies of female innovators. Each year, participants edit articles about overlooked American women, emphasizing the broader need to bridge gender disparities in STEM disciplines.

Wikipedia edit-a-thon seeks to bridge STEM gender gap

According to new research, Americans are working less since the pandemic, with high earners and young people leading the charge. An increased desire for flexibility is helping to reshape the American workweek, with top talent making their preferences clear in the early 2020s.

High-earning Americans are looking to work less

Richard Shotton, author of The Choice Factory and The Illusion of Choice, offers insight into the commercial application of behavioural science for Canvas8’s Breakfast Briefing series. He speaks directly to clients on how they can incorporate heuristics and biases into their company strategies.

Richard Shotton on behavioural science in business

Tyler Perry is warning of the potential impacts of OpenAI's Sora AI video tool on jobs in the film industry. Recognising both its creative potential and the damage it could cause to many people's careers, Perry's approach symbolises a broader polarisation of views on the technology.

Tyler Perry warns of AI's impact on the film industry

Slack is changing the future of work to help employees and employers prosper. The workplace management system is using artificial intelligence to personalize workplace communication and give employees the structured, clear, and concise information they need to thrive in modern work environments.

How Slack’s AI mind levels up employee intelligence 

There has been a surge in the number of Britons taking packed lunches for work – a clear indicator that the post-pandemic return to the office is almost complete. But with more workers eating their midday meals al desko, how is office morale being impacted? And how can food and drink brands respond?

Why Britons are packing their lunches for work

Work booths are taking off in Japan, with companies like Fujifilm implementing private workspaces in subway stations across Tokyo. These reflect a post-pandemic shift in workplace preferences, where individuals prioritise personalised, controlled, and private spaces over socialisation in the office.

Private work booths gain popularity with Japanese staff

Gen Yers are increasingly worried about outliving their savings, turning some towards get-rich-quick options over sensible savings. While some remain optimistic about retirement, there's a need to educate young people about responsible methods for planning their futures.

Gen Yers are looking for retirement help

Edtech companies, educational institutions, teachers, the government, and non-governmental organisations are betting on artificial intelligence as a solution to solve multiple challenges facing the Indian education system. But can AI truly help Indians’ learning gaps in education?

How AI is reshaping education and learning in India

We’re all starting to comprehend the huge potential – and potential risks – of AI. In education, unscrupulous kids are outsourcing their homework to ChatGPT, while startups are promoting AI as a tool to personalise learning. So how are students, teachers, and parents navigating this brave new world?

How AI is revolutionising education

With youth unemployment in China reaching record highs, graduates are increasingly opting for vocational training to give themselves a fighting chance in a crowded job market. The shift suggests a glaring mismatch between the Chinese education system and the current labour market.

Interest in practical skills soar among China graduates

School Strike 4 Climate has created a sick note signed by climate PhDs encouraging kids to skip class to take part in a national climate protest without worrying about being punished. The campaign recognises the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for community action to tackle it.

Climate sick note gives kids permission to strike

UPenn has introduced a major in AI, making it the first Ivy League institution to offer such a program. The introduction of the course marks a significant development in higher education as institutions adapt their curriculum to meet the demands of emerging technologies.

UPenn's AI major reflects changing demands for skills

Remote work has spread over the last 10 years, allowing many professionals seeking flexibility and comfort to try working from anywhere. Known as digital nomads, remote workers who live in Southeast Asia (SEA) aim to earn the most they can while affording luxury where it’s much cheaper.

How Southeast Asia became a melting pot for digital nomads

Research has revealed that the overwhelming majority of employees globally want businesses to be open about their workplace equity efforts. With many businesses rolling back DE&I programs, there's an opportunity for others to create trust internally and externally with transparent policies.

Workers expect high levels of DE&I transparency

Netflix's documentary chronicling the making of the hit We Are The World leverages nostalgia to appeal to Gen X audiences. While younger generations clamour for 'fauxstalgic' experiences, there's an opportunity for brands to cater to those generations who were there the first time around.

Netflix documentary harnesses pop culture nostalgia

China’s top developers face scorn from the nation as they file for corporate default, leaving homeowners-to-be far from the promised land. As the Chinese youth are caught between a housing crisis and long-standing expectations of home ownership, they have resorted to living in ‘refined poverty.’

Young Chinese people resort to ‘refined poverty’ amid housing crisis

A report from the Grattan Institute reveals that Western Australia is facing a reading crisis, which can lead to long-term social, economic, and physical challenges. With structural changes slow and funding for public education lacking, brands can step in to provide educational support.

Aussie literacy skills signal need for reading support

The Australian Government is set to introduce the 'right to disconnect' laws, allowing employees to complain about unreasonable out-of-hours contact from employees. United in their preference to ‘work to live’, Australian workers have embraced this development, while some businesses have not.

Disconnect laws mirror Aussies pursuit of life over work

Movie theater workers across New York City are unionizing as a response to overwork – citing increased attendance during the summer of 'Barbenheimer' as the final straw. Even in traditionally volatile industries, people are growing less willing to accept poor working conditions.

'Barbenheimer' spurs on movie theater unionization

Unemployed Gen Zers are turning down jobs because they can’t afford the clothes or commute necessary to show up to work. While many employers are enforcing office mandates and the guidelines that come with them, young people are persistent in demanding relaxed office expectations.

Gen Zers turning down work because of associated costs

A report by Linkedin India highlights the country’s changing career landscape – with workers looking to move jobs for higher wages and better work-life balance. However, a competitive job market means people are expanding their searches beyond their current industries and reassessing career plans.

Report reveals Indian workers' changing priorities

‘Poly-employment’ – working multiple jobs – is rising as people search for ways to combat inflation, find flexibility, and offset potential layoffs. Particularly common among Gens Y and Z, it signals that traditional attitudes towards employer loyalty and job security are shifting.

Poly-employment rises as workers try to hack the system

KitKat has launched a campaign that shows even AI performs better after taking a break. Since many Canadians are using generative AI in their work and studies, literacy around the technology is crucial for maximising its potential, and teaching users about it will prepare them for a techy future.

KitKat encourages users to give AI a break

Careers

People are reconsidering traditional career paths and education

With rapid technological advancement in AI and automation, it’s clear that career paths are not going to be as linear as they used to be. Pressured by the cost of living crisis, people are looking into upskilling, side hustles, and rethinking how their education will aid them in future careers, while employers are looking for multifaceted, ‘Swiss army knife’ employees who can adapt to rapidly changing work environments.