Gen Z—a generation born into the internet, fuelled by passion, pressured by timelines, and constantly trying to balance aspiration with reality. In a thought-provoking podcast hosted by Bookscape, bestselling author and entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo sits down with educator and YouTuber Aditya Ranjan to explore what it truly means to build a meaningful career in today’s world.
Whether you’re a young student, a career-stuck millennial, or someone mentoring Gen Z, this candid conversation is packed with insights, humour, and solid life lessons that cut through the noise.
Meet the Speakers
Ankur Warikoo
Gen Z—a generation born into the internet, fuelled by passion, pressured by timelines, and constantly trying to balance aspiration with reality. In a thought-provoking podcast hosted by Bookscape, bestselling author and entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo sits down with educator and YouTuber Aditya Ranjan to explore what it truly means to build a meaningful career in today’s world.
Whether you’re a young student, a career-stuck millennial, or someone mentoring Gen Z, this candid conversation is packed with insights, humour, and solid life lessons that cut through the noise.
Aditya Ranjan
Once a UPSC aspirant himself, Aditya is now a popular educator, YouTuber, and mentor to lakhs of students preparing for government exams. His story—from government job opportunities to choosing teaching over titles—is a lesson in purpose-driven work.
Watch the full podcast here:
Top 6 Takeaways From The Podcast
1. Gen Z: Born Into the Internet, Shaped by Uncertainty
- COVID changed the game for Gen Z—learning became online, freelancing became mainstream, and social skills took a hit.
- Work-from-home blurred lines between career and comfort, leading many to ask: What am I really working for?
- The rise of AI, like Blackbox AI, makes learning quicker but not always deeper.
2. Shifting Career Aspirations
“Some started freelancing, earning early. It felt like—why even get a job?” – Ankur
But not all aspirations are equal. Government jobs still hold immense value in many parts of India, especially in the north. There’s identity, pride, and social respect attached to being a customs officer over a corporate analyst.
3. Life Lessons for Gen Z (and Everyone Else)
A) Do what energises you
Aditya left a secure career path for teaching. His reason? “I can teach for 18 hours and still enjoy it.” When work gives you energy instead of draining it, you’ve found your purpose.
B) Be the filter, not the sponge
Whether it’s hiring for your startup or choosing friends, use filters. If you don’t, you’ll end up drifting. Gen Z’s world is full of noise. Learning to say “no” is as important as saying “yes.”
C) Success doesn’t stop at landing a job
Cracking an exam isn’t the end. “The job is the starting line, not the finish line,” says Aditya. Growth comes when you continue learning, taking promotions, and stretching yourself—something very few do.
D) Comparison is killing Gen Z softly
The internet’s global showcase makes a 22-year-old compare themselves with a 13-year-old prodigy. Ankur warns: “Most of this is fake. Don’t trade your peace for someone else’s highlight reel.”
4. Career Clarity in a Chaotic World
The duo also addresses a hot topic: Is a degree still relevant?
The answer: Not really—unless it’s from elite institutions. In the real world, skills, communication, and mindset matter far more than a diploma. Practical learning, internships, and self-initiated projects are where the real growth lies.
For Gen Z navigating work and studies, Aditya suggests a rule:
“If you must work part-time while preparing for an exam, do it only for survival. Don’t try to build a career there or you’ll lose sight of your actual goal.”
5. Motivation is Overrated. Consistency Wins.
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation?
“Motivation is a terrible friend,” Aditya says. “You never need motivation to binge-watch. But you need it for the hard stuff.”
Instead, build systems that push you forward—study groups, accountability buddies, public declarations of goals. Or better still, find work you love so much, you don’t need external motivation.
6. What Gen Z Wants (and Needs)
- Clarity, not chaos.
- Purpose, not pressure.
- Consistency, not comparison.
- Growth, not just jobs.
This podcast isn’t about telling Gen Z what to do—it’s about showing them that they’re not alone in their confusion. That a fulfilling life doesn’t have to follow someone else’s path. And that your journey—no matter how unconventional—is valid if it’s driven by passion, integrity, and a willingness to learn.
