Essay: Gen Z at Work

Building off of existing work in discourse studies about workplace talk, I sought to research the discourses of work, particularly made by those within Gen Z. In this essay, I explored this idea using critical discourse analysis, identifying how linguistic choices and patterns highlighting the themes of “Work as Labor,” “Work to Live or Live to Work?,” and “Money, Capitalism, and Work.”

course
WRD 514 Sociolinguistics

instructor
Dr. Jason Schneider

term
Spring 2023

course summary
In this course, we will explore language as a social phenomenon, with particular focus on the ways that language practices intersect with place, power, identity, gender, and race. Through readings of both theoretical texts and case studies, we will encounter a range of frameworks through which to analyze language in everyday life. Knowledge gained in the course can inform a range of future pursuits, including the teaching of language and writing, and further study in language and discourse.

assignment

prompt

Gen Z Talk About Work

"Further, by the use of “we,” “us,” and “our,” these participants are clear that the dissolution of separation between self and work is not an arbitrary concern but a deeply personal one" (7).

"Gen Z’s language critically evaluates the role that work plays in society as one of deep concern with extensive implications. " (12).

Reflection

This essay was one of the first projects I did as part of MAWRD. I really enjoyed learning more about sociolingustics and particularly enjoyed reading many of the discourse analysis articles we had read for class. This, combined with my understanding that workplace sociolinguistics is a whole sub-field, I wanted to try my own discourse analysis focusing on how Gen Z talk about work.

For this project, I had created a survey for people to respond to and I analyzed the data using critical discourse analysis. In hindsight, as noted in the feedback from my instructor, I do wish I had spent more time on articulating my methodology and background for using critical discourse analysis. However, I am proud that even informally, I was already pursuing conducting research, something I have grown to be more and more interested.