Changing the workplace

Today’s world is rife with uncertainty. Old structures of work, employment and education are concurrently being reimagined, and today’s youth will soon be navigating uncharted territory as they prepare for and pursue careers that tap into their personal interests and offer a sustaining wage. At the same time, industry leaders are looking for employees with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to be successful, long- term investments for their businesses. Both young people and the business community are looking for reliable and trusted bridges to each other in order to ensure they both have bright and meaningful futures.

Reaching young people

Over the last year, stations around the country have produced close to 5,000 videos that meet young people where they are most often getting their information, on social media. These videos have been viewed more than 14 million times by users around the United States. Over 1 million users have engaged with the content by asking questions, sharing the videos and voicing their approval of the information.

Stations are also building strong relationships with local businesses, community colleges, training centers and other statewide agencies. These partners believe the bridge between young people and industry is the vital missing piece to creating long-term workforce sustainability.

Connect with us on social media

Stay up to date on what’s going on with Jobs Explained in Arizona.

Stay connected

Never miss a beat by following Jobs Explained from across the nation.

What is Arizona Job’s Explained?

Arizona Jobs Explained is part of the wider PBS initiative, “American Graduate: Jobs Explained,” aimed at introducing Gen-Z (ages 15-26) to career paths in in-demand industries within Arizona. Arizona PBS is one of 10 PBS stations nationwide participating in the second round of this grant-funded program. Our goal is to spotlight the passion our interviewees have for their jobs, while also providing practical information for our audience The project focuses on three booming industries in Arizona that are facing hiring challenges: • Healthcare • Construction and Installation • Tech/Cybersecurity

What type of content is being produced?

Gen-Z primarily consumes content on vertical video platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, rather than traditional TV or broadcast news. Hence, the project targets these platforms to effectively reach its audience. The initiative creates short-form social media videos that highlight specific jobs within the target industries. Videos are designed to engage Gen-Z audiences, and most are about 30-90 seconds. Our host, Ranjani Venkatakrishnan, also produces videos that focus on industry trends and use social media memes to both inform and entertain the target audience.

What is the interview process like?

Jobs Explained highlights both trade-focused and college-educated positions in these industries. Interviewees can be anyone with insight on our target industries! However, there is a particular focus on early- career individuals aged 20-35, allowing Gen-Z viewers to see relatable role models who inspire and guide them in pursuing similar careers Interviews involve a 30-minute pre-interview session over Zoom or phone, which will cover the interviewee’s job role, training path, and inspirations. Filming logistics (including timing and location) are also determined during this session. While we love for interviews to be filmed on the job site when possible, filming in our studios is also an option. Filming typically takes around two hours to capture interviews and background footage.

Where are the videos available?

The Arizona Jobs Explained videos will be available on:

Instagram: @arizonajobs_explained and sometimes also @jobs_explained, the national account 

YouTube: @jobs_explained 

Arizona PBS website: azpbs.org