Understanding Workplace Priorities of Generation Z: Insights from Internship Experiences through Self-Determination Theory

The growing entry of Generation Z into the workforce has prompted organizations to rethink workplace practices to align with their evolving expectations. This study explores how internship experiences shape the workplace priorities of Gen Z through the lens of Self-Determination Theory, focusing on autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Adopting a qualitative, interpretivist approach, data are collected through semi-structured interviews with students who have completed internships, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings are expected to show that varying levels of independence, opportunities for skill development, and the quality of interpersonal relationships significantly influence Gen Z’s expectations of future work environments. The study also identifies gaps between actual internship experiences and ideal workplace preferences. By integrating experiential insights with a theoretical framework, the research contributes to organizational behavior and human resource management, offering practical implications for designing effective internship and early career development programs.