St. Pete is a top choice for Gen Z workers

In a recent column for the Tampa Bay Business Journal, St. Pete EDC CEO Mike Swesey explores a significant workforce trend: Gen Z workers are reshaping how we think about talent attraction and retention. The key insights include:

• Gen Z workers choose place over position: unlike previous generations, they decide where they want to live and then find jobs there rather than moving for a job
• St. Pete is highly ranked for Gen Z young professionals (#2 in Florida and #18 nationally), both transplants and the 30,000+ students who graduate from area colleges and universities each year
• The Sunshine City’s outstanding quality of life makes recruiting and retention easier for employers
• Employers located in attractive areas like St. Pete are appealing to Gen Z workers seeking an in-office experience for face-to-face training and development opportunities
• While St. Pete remains more affordable than major metros, housing costs have risen significantly since the pandemic—young professionals won’t find the bargain rents of just a few years ago
• St. Pete is just beginning to be known as a vibrant business hub, more than just a great place to vacation
• St. Pete’s combination of a warm business community and professional opportunities is a winner

For the complete column, visit “Why Gen Z is choosing St. Pete, and what it means for business.” [subscription may be required]

Want to learn more about how Gen Z talent can power your business when you relocate your company? Get in touch!

“That combination — professional opportunity wrapped in genuine community — may be St. Petersburg’s strongest selling point to a generation that refuses to separate work from life.”

Mike Swesey

St. Pete EDC CEO in the Tampa Bay Business Journal