From Coasties to K-Poppers, the US is home to a range of teen subcultures. In the third of a series exploring Gen Z and Gen Y tribes, Andrea Graham Richeson delves into the overscheduled world of Alpha Achievers. Do these ambitious teens embody the model student and future star employee?

Gen Zers are an ambitious bunch – 76% see themselves as ‘the owners of their careers’, in control of shaping their own paths. The Pickle app is helping these side hustlers sell their skills, connecting them with odd jobs and dares from painting walls to collecting shopping to shaving one’s head.

Even when school’s out for the summer, Gen Zers don’t muck about – 77% are highly interested in volunteering or interning at companies to gain experience over the holidays. Armed with social media know-how, American chain Blaze Pizza is keen to get this ambitious bunch on board.

With just 32% of US graduates believing college has prepared them for a career, Gen Zers are exploring all their options. Combining four years of world travel with collaborative study and immersive work experiences, Minerva is redefining what it means to be a student in the 21st century.