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PADANG — The frequent changing of jobs, known as job hopping, among Generation Z employees has been proven to hinder career development and reduce work engagement in Padang City. These insights were revealed in a recent study conducted by Sri Rahma Lisya and Muhammad Oceano Fauzan from the Master of Management Program at Universitas Negeri Padang. The research findings indicate that switching companies in short periods without strategic alignment harms the long-term professional prospects of young workers.
The modern workforce dynamics in Padang City display a significant growth in the Generation Z demographic. However, this trend is accompanied by growing anxiety regarding career trajectory clarity, limited corporate training programs, and high expectations for rapid career advancement. Many young professionals make impulsive decisions to leave their roles when feeling undervalued or trapped in repetitive tasks.
To examine this organizational phenomenon, the researchers employed a quantitative descriptive approach. Survey data were gathered from 130 Generation Z employees across Padang City and evaluated using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling or PLS-SEM via SmartPLS 4.0 software. This methodology allowed precise measurement of direct and indirect structural relationships between the studied variables.
Statistical evaluations generated several key findings regarding Generation Z workplace behavior:
Job hopping exhibits a negative and significant direct effect on career development, indicating that higher frequencies of job mobility lead to lower overall career achievements. Frequent movement across employers also significantly diminishes work engagement, reducing employee enthusiasm and dedication toward their active roles.
Conversely, career adaptability demonstrates a positive and significant impact on career development, confirming that psychological readiness and flexibility in handling workplace transitions accelerate career progression. Work engagement similarly yields a strong positive effect on career development, as emotionally invested and energetic employees actively pursue skill acquisition and advancement opportunities.
Furthermore, work engagement functions as a crucial mediating variable in the job hopping relationship. Frequent job changes can yield positive career growth for Generation Z when accompanied by high levels of work engagement. Emotional commitment enables workers to transform job mobility into expanded professional networks and broader skill mastery.
The practical implications of this study offer vital guidance for human resource professionals, business leaders, and organizational strategists. Organizations are encouraged to go beyond financial rewards by fostering engaging work cultures, clear career pathways, and structured skill development programs. For Generation Z employees, cultivating job commitment and adaptability remains the cornerstone for sustainable career advancement.
Author Profiles:
Sri Rahma Lisya, Universitas Negeri Padang
Muhammad Oceano Fauzan, Universitas Negeri Padang
Research Source:
Article Title: The Influence of Job Hopping and Career Adaptability on Generation Z's Career Development with Work Engagement as a Mediating Variable in Padang City
Journal Name: East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR)
Publication Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v5i8.265
URL: https://journaleajmr.my.id/index.php/eajmr
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