Extended Summary

Information technologies is a field that affects every sector in today’s rapidly developing world and has become an important part of the workforce. Generation Z students who choose this field benefit greatly from the opportunities provided by technology and digitalisation while shaping their expectations for their future careers. When Generation Z joins the workforce, it exhibits a different approach compared to previous generations. This generation seeks career opportunities that are compatible with flexibility, innovative work environments and digital skills.

Generation Z’s proximity to technology plays an important role in shaping their career expectations. This generation has grown up intertwined with the digital world since their childhood. Elements such as the internet, smartphones, social media and digital games have become an integral part of Generation Z’s lifestyle. Therefore, following the developments in the field of information technologies and pursuing a career in this field stands out as a natural choice for Generation Z.

This study aims to examine Generation Z’s career expectations in the field of information technologies (IT) and the factors shaping these expectations. The main purpose of this research is to identify the main factors affecting Generation Z’s career expectations in the IT sector. The study analyses the motivations for career choices, the challenges they face, and their expectations for their future careers by specifically examining students studying in the field of informatics. An in-depth examination of these factors provides important insights into understanding the needs and expectations of the young workforce.

This study was designed as a qualitative research to understand the career expectations of Generation Z students studying in the field of information technologies. A phenomenological approach was adopted and students’ experiences about career expectations were examined in depth. The research was carried out with 3rd year students in the Department of Software Engineering, Faculty of Computer and Informatics, Bucak, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. A total of 17 students were selected to the study group by purposive sampling and snowball sampling methods.

A structured interview form was used as a data collection tool and all interviews were audio and video recorded with the consent of the participants. After the interviews, the data were analysed by content analysis and themes were created using MAXQDA 24 software. For the validity and reliability of the research, the research process was reviewed by external experts and inter-coder reliability was ensured during the coding process.

The findings of this study reveal several important factors that shape Generation Z’s career prospects in it:

Attractiveness of IT Careers: Generation Z’s interest in the field of informatics stems from their personal curiosity and the advantages offered by the profession. Young people have gravitated towards this field with their interest in coding and software development since childhood, and the fact that the IT sector is a fast-growing, secure sector that provides employment opportunities has strengthened their preferences. In addition, factors such as flexible working conditions, financial advantages and the fact that learning can be independent of location also make this preference attractive.

Sector Preferences: Generation Z prefers the private sector in their post-graduation preferences. The private sector stands out with dynamic working environments, career development opportunities, high salaries and flexible working models. Young people who prefer the public sector, on the other hand, prefer a regular work environment with more structured working conditions and clear responsibilities. In addition, the desire to start their own business or join the family business also influenced the career choices of some young people.

Preferences for Working Abroad: Generation Z also finds opportunities to work abroad attractive. Factors such as higher salaries, better living standards, improved job opportunities and educational opportunities are among the most important factors shaping this preference. In addition, the opportunity to interact with different cultures and to access innovations faster by working in leading countries in their field also support this preference.

Job Preferences: Generation Z wants jobs that offer opportunities for self-improvement, where they can learn new things, that are not monotonous, and that give them freedom to make decisions and allow them to use their individual talents. They prioritise flexible working hours, work-life balance and social interaction. Positions that involve teamwork and have clear job descriptions are also among this generation’s preferences.

Wage and Promotion Expectations: Generation Z wants to be fairly compensated for their work. While wage expectations are based on factors such as experience, education level and performance-based remuneration, it is thought that promotion processes should be fair, transparent and success-based. Additional benefits (flexible working hours, health insurance, training opportunities) are also important expectations.

This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors shaping Generation Z’s career prospects in IT. Factors such as personal interest, financial incentives, flexible working conditions and development opportunities have been found to play an important role in the career choices of this generation. By taking these factors into consideration, educational institutions and employers should develop strategies to meet the expectations of Generation Z and create favourable working conditions to attract this generation.