Zechariah Osburn, who faced reluctance towards college, chose to build a landscaping business instead of pursuing a degree. At 20, he leads Z's Exterior Services, employing several staff and expanding his operations. This decision reflects a broader trend among Gen Z, as rising tuition costs and job market uncertainties drive the youth to opt for entrepreneurship over traditional education. Recent studies showcase diminishing confidence in the value of college degrees, urging many to find alternative paths for success.
Osburn decided to scrap the plan. "I felt like a fraud," he tells me.
It's not that Osburn is passionate about mulching, but he does love running the business, and it's rewarding to make customers happy.
Many Gen Zers are eyeing the ever-rising cost of college tuition, along with roiling uncertainty in many white-collar career fields, and are choosing an alternate path.
Americans are losing faith in the ROI of a college degree. In a 2023 Gallup poll, only 36% of respondents had a 'great deal' or 'quite a lot' of confidence in the higher education system.
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