In an era where higher education promises upward mobility, a startling revelation is shaking up Europe’s youth landscape: nearly 37% of Generation Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—regret the sector they chose for their studies and early careers. This figure, hovering just above one-third, underscores a growing disconnect between academic paths and real-world opportunities, fueled by economic pressures, rapid technological shifts, and a shrinking entry-level job market. As Europe’s young talent grapples with these regrets, questions arise about the relevance of traditional education in preparing the next workforce.
The Numbers Tell a Story of Discontent
Recent data from global talent firm Randstad paints a vivid picture of Gen Z’s disillusionment. In a comprehensive analysis of European job trends, 37% of Gen Z workers admitted to regretting their sector choice—a decision often rooted in their field of study during university or vocational training. This contrasts sharply with older generations: only 56% of Gen Z say their current job aligns with their “dream role,” compared to 63% of Baby Boomers. For context, Boomers, who entered the workforce in a more stable era, boast an average job tenure of 2.9 years in their first five years, while Gen Z averages just 1.1 years, signaling frequent pivots driven by dissatisfaction.
The regret isn’t uniform across Europe. In Poland, 41% of Gen Z plan to leave their jobs within a year, the highest rate surveyed, followed closely by Italy and the Netherlands at 37% each. These hotspots reflect broader regional challenges: a 29% drop in entry-level job postings continent-wide, with steeper declines in high-demand fields like tech (35%) and finance (24%). For many young Europeans, the promise of a degree in humanities, social sciences, or even emerging creative fields has clashed with a job market prioritizing practical skills in AI, sustainability, and data analytics.
Complementing this, Deloitte’s 2025 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey—drawing from over 23,000 respondents across 44 countries, including significant European representation—highlights why such regrets fester. A quarter (24%) of Gen Z express concerns about the relevance of university curricula to actual job demands, while 40% cite skyrocketing tuition costs as a deterrent to traditional paths altogether. In fact, 31% of Gen Z opted out of higher education entirely, favoring apprenticeships or vocational training that promise quicker, more tangible returns. This skepticism isn’t just anecdotal; it’s a symptom of a system where 28% feel higher education lacks sufficient practical experience.
Why the Regret? A Perfect Storm of Factors
So, what drives this wave of second-guessing? Experts point to a confluence of economic and societal shifts. The post-pandemic recovery has been uneven, with inflation eroding entry-level salaries and remote work blurring the lines between study and employment. Three in five Gen Z respondents in the Randstad report admitted they’d accept a job misaligned with their values if the pay and benefits were compelling enough—a pragmatic pivot born of financial insecurity.
Moreover, the rapid evolution of industries plays a role. Fields once seen as future-proof, like media or environmental studies, now demand hybrid skills that many curricula haven’t caught up to. “Gen Z entered a world where TikTok can launch careers overnight, but traditional degrees feel like a four-year detour,” notes a Randstad analyst in the Euronews coverage. Cultural influences, from social media’s highlight reels of entrepreneurial success to the gig economy’s allure, amplify this. In surveys, Gen Z prioritizes mentorship, purpose, and work-life balance over loyalty—values often sidelined in rigid academic tracks.
Gender and socioeconomic divides add layers. Women in Gen Z, who outnumber men in European universities, report higher regret rates in male-dominated sectors like engineering, per Deloitte insights. Meanwhile, those from lower-income backgrounds feel the pinch of student debt more acutely, pushing them toward “safe” but unfulfilling choices.
Implications for Education and Employers
This regret epidemic signals a clarion call for reform. Universities across Europe—from the UK’s Russell Group to Germany’s dual-education system—are piloting updates: more interdisciplinary programs, mandatory internships, and AI-integrated courses. The European Commission’s push for “skills alliances” aims to bridge the gap, funding partnerships between academia and industry to align curricula with green and digital transitions.
Employers, too, must adapt. Randstad urges companies to offer “career lattice” models—non-linear paths allowing sector switches without starting from scratch. Mentorship programs, as highlighted in Deloitte’s findings, could retain talent: 70% of Gen Z value them highly. In countries like Sweden and Denmark, where flexible apprenticeships thrive, regret rates dip below the European average, proving proactive models work.
A Path Forward: Turning Regret into Resilience
For Europe’s Gen Z, regret isn’t a dead end—it’s a launchpad. Many are leveraging online platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning for micro-credentials, transforming “wrong” degrees into versatile assets. Policymakers advocate for debt relief and universal basic skills training to ease the transition.
Ultimately, this one-third statistic isn’t just a lament; it’s a catalyst. As Gen Z demands education that equips rather than encumbers, Europe has a chance to redefine success—not as the absence of regret, but as the agility to course-correct. In a world of flux, their pickiness might just be the pragmatism the continent needs.