5 answers
Caroline
Student
Garden City, New York
1
Question
Asked
332 views
How can generation Z defy all odds and maintain authenticity in securing careers with the ongoing competition introduced by the popularity of AI ?
I am a senior in high school looking forward to pursuing a major in Finance and a minor in Spanish at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. I am curious as to how my generation will break into the work field with the constant competition that AI has provided and the jobs it has taken over so far.
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5 answers
Isida Mici
Cash Accountant
109
Answers
Tirana, Tirana County, Albania
Updated
Isida’s Answer
Hello Caroline,
Your inquiry has gone through my weekly mail. It’s completely normal to feel uncertain about your future—most professionals didn’t have it all figured out at your age. Start by exploring what excites you, whether it’s solving problems, helping people, or creating something new. Every small step you take—like researching a role, shadowing someone, or trying a project—builds clarity over time. Actually, you have decided to pursue Finance, which is a great career path. If you are keen on numbers and detailed oriented person who likes to manipulate numbers and words, it is a great choice. Don’t wait until you graduate to start learning. Free online courses, volunteering, or even small side projects can give you valuable experience. Think of skills as tools—you’re collecting them now so you’ll be ready when opportunities appear. From an international perspective, women as entrepreneurs face a lot of challenges vs man in the economic & investment sector. Rejections, mistakes, or changes in direction aren’t failures—they’re feedback. Each challenge teaches you something about yourself and the world of work. Stay updated with my peer's advice here in the Career Village, and turn back again with other valuable questions. Celebrate small wins, like finishing a project or speaking up in class, because those moments add up to big growth. Go ahead with your plans. May the blessing follow you always!
Your inquiry has gone through my weekly mail. It’s completely normal to feel uncertain about your future—most professionals didn’t have it all figured out at your age. Start by exploring what excites you, whether it’s solving problems, helping people, or creating something new. Every small step you take—like researching a role, shadowing someone, or trying a project—builds clarity over time. Actually, you have decided to pursue Finance, which is a great career path. If you are keen on numbers and detailed oriented person who likes to manipulate numbers and words, it is a great choice. Don’t wait until you graduate to start learning. Free online courses, volunteering, or even small side projects can give you valuable experience. Think of skills as tools—you’re collecting them now so you’ll be ready when opportunities appear. From an international perspective, women as entrepreneurs face a lot of challenges vs man in the economic & investment sector. Rejections, mistakes, or changes in direction aren’t failures—they’re feedback. Each challenge teaches you something about yourself and the world of work. Stay updated with my peer's advice here in the Career Village, and turn back again with other valuable questions. Celebrate small wins, like finishing a project or speaking up in class, because those moments add up to big growth. Go ahead with your plans. May the blessing follow you always!
Stephanie Hamer
Campus Recruiter
6
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
Great question and definitely a topic that needs to be discussed more! As AI continues to expand, authenticity matters more now than ever before.
Here are a few ways to stand out:
1. Do your homework before every event. Look up who will be there, look at their career pages, and come prepared with specific questions.
2. Find your community on campus (NABA, ALPFA, MLT, etc.). These communities can be some of the best ways to meet people who are figuring out the same things you are, and the mentors you find through those networks can open doors that a cold application never will.
3. Personalize everything. Recruiters are flooded with AI-written messages that all sound the same. A short, specific note referencing a real conversation or a genuine reason you are interested will set you apart.
4. Own your Spanish minor. Bilingual finance professionals are hard to find. Bring it up whenever it is relevant and let it work for you.
5. Use AI as a starting point, keep your own voice as the finish line. Learn the tools, get comfortable with them, and always layer in your own judgment and personality on top.
People hire people they trust. Start building that reputation now and you will be ahead of the game by graduation. Wishing you the best in your career search!
Here are a few ways to stand out:
1. Do your homework before every event. Look up who will be there, look at their career pages, and come prepared with specific questions.
2. Find your community on campus (NABA, ALPFA, MLT, etc.). These communities can be some of the best ways to meet people who are figuring out the same things you are, and the mentors you find through those networks can open doors that a cold application never will.
3. Personalize everything. Recruiters are flooded with AI-written messages that all sound the same. A short, specific note referencing a real conversation or a genuine reason you are interested will set you apart.
4. Own your Spanish minor. Bilingual finance professionals are hard to find. Bring it up whenever it is relevant and let it work for you.
5. Use AI as a starting point, keep your own voice as the finish line. Learn the tools, get comfortable with them, and always layer in your own judgment and personality on top.
People hire people they trust. Start building that reputation now and you will be ahead of the game by graduation. Wishing you the best in your career search!
Peter Fever
Management Consultant
6
Answers
Hingham, Massachusetts
Updated
Peter’s Answer
I think your question is a very common one, so you should feel some comfort knowing that in this, and many other areas of life, people are uncertain how AI is and will continue to impact our lives.
I would say that while AI can certainly help you do things like draft the framework for a resume or organize your thoughts for an application letter and even help you prepare facts and answers for an interview, it cannot replace the authenticity of the applicant.
I do think that cold applications tend to definitely get screened by AI to vet for basic information, but beyond that there is a human in the loop to review candidates, interview them and validate the person has interpersonal skilss, good judgement and is a fit culturally. AI cannot do that.
The most important thing here is authenticity. Don't be led by advice or formatting that AI offers alone or you will not stand out. AI is an aid, not a replacement for who you are. Secondly, use your human network as you look for career opportunities - it has always been the case that finding jobs through your network is easier and more consistent than cold calling/ applying. Get creative and leverage friends and family or show up and ask to speak to someone. Those relying solely on AI won't have that edge.
Good luck - you will do great!
I would say that while AI can certainly help you do things like draft the framework for a resume or organize your thoughts for an application letter and even help you prepare facts and answers for an interview, it cannot replace the authenticity of the applicant.
I do think that cold applications tend to definitely get screened by AI to vet for basic information, but beyond that there is a human in the loop to review candidates, interview them and validate the person has interpersonal skilss, good judgement and is a fit culturally. AI cannot do that.
The most important thing here is authenticity. Don't be led by advice or formatting that AI offers alone or you will not stand out. AI is an aid, not a replacement for who you are. Secondly, use your human network as you look for career opportunities - it has always been the case that finding jobs through your network is easier and more consistent than cold calling/ applying. Get creative and leverage friends and family or show up and ask to speak to someone. Those relying solely on AI won't have that edge.
Good luck - you will do great!
Courtney (Lanning) Siegal, MBA
Accounting and Controllership Leader
4
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Courtney’s Answer
Hi Caroline,
This is a topic that many people of all career stages have concerns about. Yes, AI will play an increasing role in the hiring process as well as in some of the roles that were previously performed by humans. But remember that AI is not machine-led, it is human-led, and ultimately people hire people. So my advice to you from a hiring point of view would be to make sure your resume is updated to match the qualifications that are outlined in the job description you're interested in. Think about including things like key words, as I do think AI will be increasingly involved with scanning resumes and identifying candidates that fit the needs. And then once you secure the interview, bring your authentic self and a sense of curiosity when you meet with the hiring leaders. People want to work with people that they like, so bring your dynamic and interesting self to the interview process. Best of luck!
This is a topic that many people of all career stages have concerns about. Yes, AI will play an increasing role in the hiring process as well as in some of the roles that were previously performed by humans. But remember that AI is not machine-led, it is human-led, and ultimately people hire people. So my advice to you from a hiring point of view would be to make sure your resume is updated to match the qualifications that are outlined in the job description you're interested in. Think about including things like key words, as I do think AI will be increasingly involved with scanning resumes and identifying candidates that fit the needs. And then once you secure the interview, bring your authentic self and a sense of curiosity when you meet with the hiring leaders. People want to work with people that they like, so bring your dynamic and interesting self to the interview process. Best of luck!
Joseph Greenberg
Audit Analytics
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Hi Caroline,
This is a great question, one I’ve wrestled with myself while working in data analytics. We often hear headlines predicting that AI will take over and eliminate jobs, especially in tech-related fields. My own way of dealing with that has been to do research and talk with people currently in the workforce to understand what they’re actually seeing.
What I keep hearing is that the roles most likely to endure are those that require a human touch. For example, many clinical healthcare roles; such as nurses, doctors, and audiologists are relatively AI-proof because they depend on human judgment, empathy, and accountability. In tech, accounting, and finance, the same idea applies, but more specifically: the roles that will last are the ones that involve human responsibility and explanation. For instance, there will always need to be a human actuary to sign off on an insurance model.
A lot of the work is shifting away from menial tasks like writing code, building documentation, or cleaning data, and toward guiding conversations and making formal decisions. It’s becoming less about “here’s the data” and more about “here’s what we’re seeing, why we’re seeing it, and what we can do about it.” Understanding and presentation are becoming increasingly important differentiators as computers get better at doing the technical pieces.
The real answer is no one knows what exactly the future will look like. The world went through a similar transformation in the 2000s when the internet came out. The careers that are sustainable are the ones don't work against progress, rather work with it.
This is a great question, one I’ve wrestled with myself while working in data analytics. We often hear headlines predicting that AI will take over and eliminate jobs, especially in tech-related fields. My own way of dealing with that has been to do research and talk with people currently in the workforce to understand what they’re actually seeing.
What I keep hearing is that the roles most likely to endure are those that require a human touch. For example, many clinical healthcare roles; such as nurses, doctors, and audiologists are relatively AI-proof because they depend on human judgment, empathy, and accountability. In tech, accounting, and finance, the same idea applies, but more specifically: the roles that will last are the ones that involve human responsibility and explanation. For instance, there will always need to be a human actuary to sign off on an insurance model.
A lot of the work is shifting away from menial tasks like writing code, building documentation, or cleaning data, and toward guiding conversations and making formal decisions. It’s becoming less about “here’s the data” and more about “here’s what we’re seeing, why we’re seeing it, and what we can do about it.” Understanding and presentation are becoming increasingly important differentiators as computers get better at doing the technical pieces.
The real answer is no one knows what exactly the future will look like. The world went through a similar transformation in the 2000s when the internet came out. The careers that are sustainable are the ones don't work against progress, rather work with it.