I investigated what motivates Generation Z through the lens of Self-Determination Theory, which posits that individuals are most motivated when their needs for relatedness, competence, and autonomy are fulfilled. As Generation Z increasingly becomes a significant portion of the workforce, understanding their unique values and needs is essential for fostering motivation and engagement. Here, I summarize the existing research and provide practical recommendations for managers to apply these insights in the workplace.

For this project, my classmate and I developed and validated a scale to measure students’ perceptions of AI integration in education, focusing on perceived effectiveness and perceived ethics. We created survey items, collected data, and used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify the factor structure and assess reliability. We did all the data cleaning, statistical testing, and analysis using SPSS to ensure the scale’s validity. This project strengthened my skills in survey design, psychometrics, and applied data analysis. These skills are directly applicable to organizational research, assessment, and understanding how people perceive new technologies in the workplace.