[Research Contribution] Gen Z Understanding of Themselves – 6 Concerns When Choosing a Career in the Super Smart Era 5.0 – Part 1

7 July, 2025

Era 5.0 – The era of a super smart society is coming, and the time frame is determined very soon: 2035 or maybe earlier. “The rise of super technologies”, “Enhanced human-machine interaction”, and “people-centered” are the “hot” keywords when referring to this period. With the topic “Gen Z understanding of themselves – 6 concerns when choosing a career in the super smart era 5.0”, the Live talk Sustainable Career Orientation 5.0 of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) not only suggests a direction for young people but also helps parents better understand the psychology, thoughts and pressures that their children are experiencing.

The series of Live talks on Sustainable Career Orientation 5.0 “Empowering Tomorrow” organized by University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), broadcast on UEH and VnExpress, is a project that accompanies parents and students through connecting 3 aspects in the journey of choosing a career for the young generation: (1) Understanding personal career inclinations; (2) Understanding future trends in the 5.0 era; (3) Understanding the educational trends of the 5.0 world. With the 3 “Understandings”, students will be able to choose the right major and be “satisfied with their choice”. In the first part of the Live talk “Gen Z understanding of themselves: 6 concerns when choosing a career in the super smart era 5.0”, the speakers will accompany parents and students to find the answer revolving around the first important keyword – “Understanding yourself”.

Live Talk has the participation of leading speakers and experts in the field of career orientation and labor market: Assoc.Prof. Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh – Vice Rector of UEH College of Technology and Design; Dr. Ly Thi Mai – Psychological consultant and MC Tuyen Tang.

The Impact of AI on Career Opportunities for Future Generations

MC Tuyen Tang: Whether technology is helping or threatening our lives is still a controversial topic. So, in the field of education, should we look at it in a one-sided way that AI is threatening the lives or even career opportunities of future generations, Prof. Thuy Anh?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh: Perhaps all of us are wondering about the role and creativity of humans before the advent of AI and its wide applications in industries and fields. Where is our place when AI is a career development trend and is gradually replacing humans in the simplest jobs? Entering the 5.0 era, where humans and AI, along with the most modern technologies, can coexist perfectly. Machines play the role of a maximum support tool, helping humans to develop their abilities through integration and resonance with each other. When we truly “understand ourselves”, we will be the ones taking the initiative in the current trend. Technology software helps us have an overview of the development of the world, career trends, and the requirements of that career. Through AI, students not only have access to technology but also have the opportunity to quickly access information around the world. However, each person has different potential, passion, and interests, so the most important thing is how we should use the information analyzed and predicted by AI to suit ourselves.

Thus, AI is a tool that helps you get an overview of career trends, educational trends, or shifts taking place globally. Where we develop and what position we choose in society is each individual’s story. In fact, emerging career trends in the world are only for reference because in any field, as long as we “understand ourselves”, have passion and desire, and at the same time, fully equip ourselves with capacity and knowledge, we can “shine” on the journey that we “design”.

Between personal passion and the craze of the times: Which is the most suitable choice?

MC Tuyen Tang: Choosing a career is also a matter of emotion. If choosing according to trends is a safe choice, with a stable career, however, you yourself do not have a passion for AI and technology. So, in the current 5.0 era, should students choose a career based on their passion and personal interests or follow global trends?

Psychologist, Dr. Ly Thi Mai: Students are the “product” of their parents, so before students “understand themselves”, parents need to “understand themselves” first. Each child has their own abilities, personalities, and interests. During the process of raising them, parents gradually realize what their children are suitable for, from eating habits, tastes, to studying. These are the first steps to “understanding” their children. When parents have knowledge and “understand themselves”, they will become friends who guide and accompany their children when choosing a career. Moreover, students also evaluate themselves thanks to the support of AI tools.

MC Tuyen Tang: AI is a “powerful” tool in supporting and suggesting suitable industries and careers for students. However, parents want their children to work in another field. How should young people reconcile AI’s suggestions with their parents’ opinions?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh: AI has its own reasons, and parents have their own views. From the perspective of a student or a child, one’s own feelings and desires when it comes to a certain industry or career are very important. In addition to designing a development roadmap for themselves, students also need to discuss with their parents to find a connection, harmony, and have a more comprehensive view of the challenges they may encounter. Finally, after having enough information, young people should take the time to listen to their own feelings and intuition because passion is the core factor that determines long-term commitment and sustainable development in a career.

Interest vs. Ability – When passion is not necessarily strength!

MC Tuyen Tang: The three keywords “Hobbies”, “Ability”, and “Passion” have different concepts. So, how can we develop our abilities and interests in parallel, and transform them into the career we want to pursue in the future?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh: Interests and abilities are not too different. We tend to like the things we are good at and vice versa; the things we are good at become a source of inspiration for us to continue working on that job. To find the “touch point” or similarity between abilities, interests, and passions, everyone needs to practice and persistently pursue the set goals. From there, we can “reap the sweet fruit”. When the sun is strong enough, the tree will bloom; you love the job enough – you will surely succeed. Pursuing AI trends can bring many advantages in terms of job opportunities or income, but this does not mean that other aspects do not bring positive values. The most important thing is still how we apply the trend to the field that we are passionate about, so that you will build a sustainable career and long-term success.

This article is part of the series spreading research and applied knowledge from UEH with the message “Research Contribution For All – Research for the Community”. UEH cordially invites readers to the next UEH Research Insights newsletter.

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The Sustainable Career Orientation 5.0 Live Talk Series “Empowering Tomorrow,” organized by University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City – UEH, broadcast on UEH and VnExpress, is a project that accompanies parents and students through connecting 3 aspects in the career selection journey of the young generation: (1) Understanding personal career inclinations; (2) Understanding future trends in the 5.0 era; (3) Understanding educational trends of the 5.0 world. With the 3 “Understandings”, students will be able to choose the right major and be “satisfied with their choice”.

News and photos: UEH Department of Communications and Partnerships