The only way is up for Gen Zs: How career growth matters for the new gen workforce

If there’s anyone best known for strongly valuing and prioritizing career growth in their workplace, it’s Gen Z. This young generation places great importance on personal and professional development, appreciating purpose-driven work and robust learning opportunities that help enhance their knowledge and skills so they can thrive even at this early point in their careers.

Gen Z Crewators Sherinata Said (22), Ivy Asuncion (22), and Harry Noche (19) all enjoy these chances to build up their careers in their workplace: McDonald’s Philippines. Empowering and encouraging them to enrich their and their families’ lives, McDonald’s ensures that Gen Zs get the world-class training they need to keep up with a dynamic and competitive working environment. Through various initiatives, McDonald’s also constantly aims to create a conducive environment for learning and growth—not just for work-related goals and agendas, but also for life in general.

“Dahil sa McDo, marami pong mga lessons learned na natutunan po. Then in the future mai-apply mo pa siya. Isa na ‘yung work hard tapos makakamit mo po ‘yung success. Do your best lang palagi,” says Noche.

(At McDonald’s, I learned many valuable lessons that I can apply in the future. One of them is that if you work hard, you will achieve success. Just do your best.)

“Noong makapasok po ako sa McDo natuto po akong makipag socialize parang humanap ng maraming friends. Para pong tumaas ang aking self-confidence. Friendly po ‘yung mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho, pati mga managers. Maganda po ang work culture kaya namo-motivate kami. Naging Crew of the Month po ako. Nakaka-proud at nakaka-build ng self-confidence,” adds Noche.

(When I started working at McDonald’s, I learned how to socialize and make a lot of friends. It really helped boost my self-confidence. My coworkers, as well as the managers, are friendly. The work culture is great, which keeps me motivated. I was even recognized as Crew of the Month, which makes me proud and builds my confidence even more.)

“Madami po akong natutunan at patuloy pa din na natututo. The values po na natutunan ko is how to be professional po. Natuto din po ako ng time management. Pati ang maging on time po sa work,” Said also shares.

(I have learned a lot and I am still continuing to learn. The values I have gained include how to be professional. I also learned time management and the importance of being on time for work.)

Empowering Gen Z working students

Said, who recently graduated from Western Mindanao State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, began her journey with McDonald’s as a working student during her third year of college. Inspired by one of her older siblings who is also part of the McDonald’s family as a manager, Said has worked as a service crew member at McDonald’s Zamboanga for the past two years and showed her determination in balancing school and work.

As a working student, she found the flexibility of her job crucial in managing her school expenses and lightening her family’s financial load. Despite taking on shifts as late as 11 PM to 5 AM, Said remained committed to her studies and her job.

The same goes for Asuncion and Noche, who both experienced balancing their studies and working at McDonald’s. 

Wanting to help with household expenses and pay for her education, Asuncion started working during her last semester at university. Her hard work and success-driven attitude have led her to achieve the best of both worlds by recently graduating cum laude from Mariano Marcos State University in Batac City, Ilocos Norte with a degree in Industrial Technology, majoring in Food Processing and Service Management and becoming a noteworthy service crew member known for her strong work ethic and commitment at McDonald’s.

Of course, this was possible with help from McDonald’s initiatives in empowering working students to continue their studies, graduate, and pursue bigger goals.

“Malaking bagay po lalo na lalo na sa mga student ang mabigyan ng opportunity to work in McDo. Napakagandang trabaho po para sa mga students kasi marami pong mga benefits na ibinibigay po ang McDo. Tulad ng twenty percent discount pag nag oorder ka. May mga free meals, free uniforms. Tapos ‘yung mga students ang pipili ng kanilang schedule, kumbaga ibinibigay po ‘yung time availability ng student para makapag-aral habang nagwowork.”

(It is a great opportunity, especially for students, to work at McDo. It is a wonderful job for students because McDo offers many benefits. For instance, there’s a twenty percent discount when ordering outside of work. They also provide free meals and free uniforms. Additionally, students can choose their schedules, allowing them to set their availability to study while working.)

Accelerating personal and professional skills

Despite facing the challenges of working in a fast-paced setting, Asuncion quickly learned to handle different roles in the restaurant and picked up valuable lessons that deepened her understanding of customer service in various environments. Despite being an introvert, she gained more confidence in her communication skills and often successfully managed difficult customer interactions with grace and professionalism—a skill that has strengthened her desire to pursue a management role at McDonald’s.

Like Asuncion, the learning opportunities at McDonald’s have helped shape Said’s personality and encouraged her to break out of her introverted shell.

“Bale as at first po mahirap po talaga siya. Pero habang tumatagal po siya bale parang nakukuha ko na po kung paano mag-interact ng tama. Ah, ngumiti ganyan at makikipag-interact sa customer. Halimbawa, kapag sa front counter ako, if may customer na nagtatanong, hindi na po ako nauutal. Nakikipag-usap na po ako ng direct na nakatingin sa mata. Kasi dati po hindi po talaga nauutal po ako kapag kaharap ang customer. Pero habang tumatagal po parang nasanay na po ako kung paano makipag-usap at tumingin sa kanilang mata.”

(At first, the work was really challenging. But as time went on, I gradually learned how to interact properly. Like smiling and engaging with customers appropriately. For example, when I’m assigned to the front counter, if a customer asks me something, I no longer stutter. I can speak more directly while maintaining eye contact. Before, I really couldn’t do that. I used to stutter when talking to customers. But over time, I got the hang of it—how to speak properly and look people in the eye.)

Said’s experiences at McDonald’s also helped her develop a strong work ethic, especially in time management and professionalism which proved essential for both her studies and future career. 

Most importantly, Said deeply values her time at McDonald’s as she views it as a place where employees feel valued. She particularly appreciates how the management listens to employee sentiments and suggestions, which makes her feel heard and supported as part of the workforce. As part of Gen Z, she also proudly shares that McDonald’s Zamboanga serves Halal food, which points to another value that the young generation places great importance to: inclusivity.

All in all, Said, Noche, and Asuncion’s working experiences at McDonald’s prove the company’s capability of being an avenue for the growing Gen Z workforce’s personal and professional growth.

As Noche says, “Dahil sa McDo po maraming experience po akong naranasan ganun sobrang dami. Sa McDo, natutunan ko po ang tunay na buhay at kaya ‘kong maging ‘the best’ sa ano mang gusto kong tahakin para sa pamilya ko.”

(At McDonald’s, I went through so many experiences—there were just so many. It was at McDonald’s that I learned what real life is and realized that I can be the best in whatever path I choose to take for my family.)

Like these Gen Z Crewators, you can kick off your career and enjoy a worthwhile journey to personal and professional growth now by joining the McDonald’s family. For more information on exciting job opportunities at McDonald’s, check out their official website here.

INQUIRER.net BrandRoom/HM