Is remote work hurting Gen Z’s pay, professional development, and long-term career growth?

In this episode of Work 2.0, Rachel Wells speaks with Temple University economist and former recruiter Joshua Mask about his new research separating the effects of remote work from generative AI on entry-level jobs and young workers.

Mask’s research found that people entering remote-work-exposed occupations after 2020 earned about 1.8% less per hour and 2% less annually. On a $50,000 salary, that represents roughly $1,000 a year. But the explanation is more complicated than the headline.

The difference could reflect the money workers save by avoiding a commute. It could reflect pandemic-era learning loss. It could also reveal a deeper early-career problem: remote workers may receive less training, feedback, professional socialization and access to the relationships that help people progress.

Rachel and Joshua examine:

• Whether remote work is affecting entry-level pay• Why the first few years of a career are economically significant• The relationship between remote work, AI and entry-level jobs• Why remote-capable jobs are often highly exposed to generative AI• What young professionals may miss when beginning their careers fully remotely• How proximity, feedback and informal learning influence career advancement• Why relationship-building could become more valuable as AI automates routine work• How employers can develop young talent in remote and hybrid workplaces• Why companies still need a strong talent pipeline in the AI era• What leaders risk when they treat AI as a replacement for workforce development

This conversation moves beyond the familiar return-to-office argument. It examines how remote work is changing the way career capital, workplace relationships and professional credibility are built, particularly for graduates and early-career professionals.

WHO SHOULD WATCH OR LISTEN?

This episode is for:

• Gen Z professionals, graduates and people beginning their first job• Employees considering fully remote or hybrid roles• Parents, educators and career advisers supporting young professionals• CEOs, HR leaders and talent acquisition teams• Managers responsible for remote onboarding, training and development• Employers building entry-level talent pipelines• Anyone concerned about AI, remote work and the future of entry-level careers

Work 2.0 is the podcast about AI, power, and the future of work, hosted by Rachel Wells.

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