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The “Gen Z Gravitas”:
The "lingo" first, it is so weird at least for me that the birth decade also has been given a name!! So apart from our original names, surname, and after marriage, husband’s name and now to the addition, we have a new “naamakaran” based on the year/decade in which we are born!! According to Google Gyaan, I am a Generation X (born between 1965-1980), easily sandwiched between Baby Boomers (1946-1964) and the Millenials/Gen Y (1981–1996).
Now to a new challenge, we have the Gen Z born between 1997-2012 and this cohort is often called the “digital native” for growing up with smart phones and high speed internet. Their successors Gen Alfa (2010-2024) followed by Gen Beta born after 2025 will be joining the league!!
Literally, it’s like a new wave of generation tapping our doors every day, more so at our workplaces and it feels different altogether, but as we realise it’s all about adapting. Yes, the Gen Z outgrow us when it comes to technology updates, digitalisation and owning gadgetries and it’s a fact that we all have to accept, the earlier the better.
According to our day-to-day experiences, the Gen Z are very comfortably tech savvy and to no surprise, they are brought up amidst a huge influence of social media and computer environment, which is an edge in an ever-growing field of digital pathology.
For us using an updated technology needs conscious efforts and motivation to adapt, whereas Gen Z are almost inborn with these skills, and it’s just so normal for them!! When it comes to understanding automation, telepathology and AI (artificial intelligence) in pathology, Gen Z have it easy and hence providing the required digital infrastructure is becoming a mandate than an option and thus bringing about a so called "digital transformation" in pathology catering to decreased TATs (turnaround time), improved spatial conversations (for referrals) and opinions for challenging cases, thereby bridging gaps geographically which are all welcome changes.
About workplace ethics and equations in my observation, Gen Z aren’t much into following the traditional hierarchical system and often want immediate actions and inclusiveness for whatsoever and do not necessarily seek senior’s validations/opinions, due to which a few may perceive them as being arrogant / impulsive. Nevertheless, the Gen Z are unapologetic and also do not totally agree with the mundane 9 to 4 traditional work time patterns and prefer multiple jugglings between the same time if given a choice.
Work life balance: This is something they are better at too!! the Gen Z have it very clear to enjoy, to self-care and give family time, besides working hard. They have it all chalked out and are good planners and in the forefront to avail long weekend holidays and taking regular leaves from work, and I must say they abide to YOLO (you only live once) policies. Gen Z in my opinion are vocal about mental well-being and prioritise lifestyle changes to keep themselves healthy and fit both physically and mentally and shield themselves from health deterrents.
Gen Z being more financially literate, digitally updated with good gadget skills, Gen Z will make good entrepreneurs in which ever field they may choose.
Few aspects which they can improve on in my perspective are:
Working in a less digitalised work environment and low resource areas where they should have a backup plan if technical/digital glitches happen or updated technologies/infrastructure are not available.
Knowing to collaborate with senior faculties, giving them their due momentousness for all the vast experiences that they have is an important quality they should more often consider.
Engaging in knowledge sharing with the traditional thinkers and making more room for interactions and validations with their methodologies with unhurried effective incorporation of updated digital systems is of utmost vitality.
They need to hone skills to deal with stressful real time scenarios at workplace.
Trying to bridge the generation gap by collaboration of the new generation with the traditional senior generations is the optimal way forward. With senior generation’s vast experience, knowledge and problem solving abilities acting as a strong backbone, motivating and supporting the Gen Z who are well versed with digital literacy will generate enormous confidence to become globally minded forces, to connect, to communicate and to contribute as a global network to bring about diagnostic, academic and research reforms thus marking a great future for Pathology in the decades to come with never ending new successors of generations with unmeasurable digital revamp. It’s only the beginning!!
Dr. Shubha Sangeetha R.
Dr. Shubha Sangeetha R.
Professor
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College
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