Not Just Job Hunting: Gen Z Can Also Create Jobs! Here's How to Become an Entrepreneur in the Fintech Era

Generation Z is often dubbed the most digital generation in history. From waking up to going to bed, almost all activities are conducted via smartphones: online shopping, payments using e-wallets, digital investments, and even sourcing business ideas from social media. It is no surprise that many young people today are thinking differently about their career futures. In the past, graduating from university was synonymous with job hunting; now, more Gen Z individuals are keen to create their own jobs. This phenomenon is evident in the rising interest in digital businesses, startups, and technology-based ventures. In the era of fintech and the digital economy, opportunities to become an entrepreneur are indeed opening up widely. However, becoming an entrepreneur in the digital age requires more than just creative ideas. It demands an understanding of business, the ability to read market opportunities, and the skills to leverage technology and data for business development. Entrepreneurs Today Must Be Tech-Savvy The business world has changed dramatically. Many enterprises are born and grow through digital platforms, from online shops and service applications to fintech-based startups. Even business decisions are often supported by data and digital market analysis. Therefore, modern entrepreneurs must not only grasp business strategies but also possess abilities such as reading business data, understanding digital marketing, and utilising digital financial technology. This combination of business and technology is the key to success for contemporary entrepreneurs. For Gen Z, who have grown up with the internet and technology, these opportunities are substantial. They are already familiar with the digital ecosystem from a young age. The challenge is to channel these abilities into tangible business competencies. Studying Entrepreneurship with a Digital Perspective Recognising these changes, many universities are developing entrepreneurship programmes that go beyond conventional business, incorporating digital business and technology. One example is the Digital Entrepreneur (Entrepreneurship) Study Programme at Cyber University (Indonesia’s Cyber University), known as The First Fintech University in Indonesia. This programme is designed to produce a generation of entrepreneurs capable of leveraging information technology while understanding financial digitalisation developments. Students not only learn business concepts but are also guided in how technology can be used to create new business opportunities, manage businesses digitally, and analyse data-based market developments. Skills Needed for Future Entrepreneurs Through an adaptive learning approach to digital industry developments, students are prepared with relevant expertise for modern business needs. Some competencies developed include: - Digital Entrepreneur, capable of building and developing technology-based businesses. - Junior Data Analyst, able to read and analyse business data for decision-making. - Innovation Consultant, capable of creating business innovations and product development strategies. - Business Operations Manager, able to manage business operations effectively and strategically. This combination of skills ensures graduates are not only ready to start their own ventures but also have career opportunities in various companies requiring digital business talent. It’s Time for Gen Z to Build Their Own Businesses Amid the rapid development of the digital economy, opportunities for young people to become entrepreneurs are expanding. Business ideas can emerge from anywhere: social media, technology, or even daily digital habits. Therefore, choosing an education that integrates business, technology, and financial digitalisation is a crucial step for Gen Z aiming for future success. Through the Digital Entrepreneur (Entrepreneurship) Study Programme, Cyber University is committed to producing innovative, adaptive digital entrepreneurs ready to face the dynamics of business in the fintech era. For Gen Z who want not just to seek jobs but to create new business opportunities, the path of digital entrepreneurship can be the first step towards a more independent and opportunity-filled future.