42% of Gen Z are saying "hell no" to the desk job and going blue collar—and AI’s not just reading resumes anymore, it's writing your onboarding manual. From Starbucks' uniform protests to Klarna gig-ing complex work, this episode packs punchy insight into where work is actually going. Spoiler alert: It ain’t where your high school guidance counselor said it would.
In this episode we break down the shifting job landscape—blue collar pride, AI efficiency, HR job wipes, and how immigrants are silently carrying 19.2% of the U.S. workforce. We keep it real on education myths, startup hype, and why your company meeting might be your biggest productivity killer. Add some legal AI bias spice, a dash of game-based learning, and boom—this one’s a beast.
Key Takeaways:
➡ 42% of Gen Z are leaning into skilled trades and saying no to traditional 9–5s➡ AI has replaced hundreds of HR roles at IBM—yes, already➡ Klarna’s now outsourcing complex tasks to gig workers, not bots➡ Starbucks uniform policy caused an employee revolt➡ Meetings are the productivity killer nobody wants to admit➡ Immigrants make up 19.2% of the U.S. labor force—let that sink in➡ AI bias in hiring is now a courtroom issue➡ Education ≠ success—AI skills and self-awareness win long-term➡ Layoffs suck but they force critical self-reflection (you’re not layoff-proof)➡ Internships still matter—especially if school isn’t your jam➡ Disagreeable employees = truth tellers. Embrace the discomfort➡ Startups are breaking molds while market funding shifts below the radar
Timestamps:
00:00 – Upcoming Events and Networking Opportunities01:01 – Memorial Day Travel and Preparations04:00 – Onboarding Innovations in the Workplace06:59 – The Importance of Skilled Trades10:02 – AI's Impact on HR and Job Markets12:54 – Starbucks Uniform Policy and Employee Strikes23:46 – Political Connections and Business Ethics27:27 – The Meeting Dilemma: Efficiency vs. Time30:22 – AI Bias and Legal Accountability35:17 – The Role of Immigrants in the Workforce38:19 – Education's Need for AI Integration44:05 – The Future of Work and Self-Directed Learning48:02 – Disagreeable Employees: The Truth-Tellers in the Workplace53:22 – Navigating Differences in Perspectives55:59 – The Importance of Reflective Thinking57:00 – Lessons from Unemployment59:48 – Understanding Layoff Realities01:00:59 – Unicorns in the HR Tech Space01:02:43 – Innovations in AI and Automation01:06:42 – The Future of Startups and Closures01:08:50 – Game-Based Learning and Development01:12:48 – Health Tech Innovations01:15:32 – The Rise of Earned Wage Access01:16:37 – AI Solutions for Deskless Workers
Connect with Us (Social Links):
William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/
Site: http://www.wrkdefined.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefinedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefinedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices