For Gen Z entering the workforce today, expectations around career growth, stability, and achievement can feel like a moving target. Many first- and second-generation young Hispanic professionals grow up without clear examples of what success looks like, balancing family expectations, personal goals, and cultural pressures while trying to carve out a career path that feels right. There isn’t always a traditional blueprint to follow.
To help turn ambition into action and raw potential into real progress, early-in-career Hispanic Gen Z professionals are tapping into Makina Mode: a flow state where focus locks in, momentum builds, and hustle, resourcefulness, and clarity kick into high gear.
Achieving Makina Mode is made easy with AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot, offering young professionals access to a new type of career confidant: one that’s designed to help them reach their potential and gain the confidence to tackle whatever comes next.
Exploring early-in-career experiences
To better understand how US Hispanic Gen Zers approach these important first years in the workforce, Microsoft conducted a national survey* examining their experiences, challenges, and priorities. While this group is digitally fluent and optimistic about their future, many want support that goes beyond basic productivity hacks. They’re looking for guidance that feels more personal, more relatable, and tailored to their unique journeys—especially those without traditional career mentors.
The results of the survey showed that nearly half (48%) of Hispanic early-in-career professionals start their jobs without a clear career blueprint, meaning they enter the workforce without inherited examples, role models, or firsthand exposure to office-based work. As a result, navigating office dynamics, understanding how to advance, and knowing who to turn to for guidance are some of their biggest challenges:
- 37% feel unsure when interacting with colleagues, managers, or clients
- 30% do not know how to advance in their company or field
- 30% do not have people they can regularly turn to for guidance
Even with these hurdles, Hispanic Gen Z professionals believe that true career empowerment comes from tapping into their potential, establishing financial security, and having people they can turn to.
- 52% want to excel in their roles and see clear paths for advancement
- 45% want to feel confident they can support their needs
- 42% value having people to rely on for encouragement at work
AI as a career companion
When traditional sources of guidance like managers, mentors, peers, or family aren’t available, many young professionals are turning to AI to help fill the gap as a modern career confidant.
- 84% agree that AI is a valuable source of career support in the absence of traditional sources of guidance
- 58% feel more comfortable asking AI career questions they might hesitate to ask a coworker or manager
The most common ways this new workforce is turning to AI for help include:
- Practical feedback: 52% use AI for quick feedback on writing
- Polished communications: 41% use AI for help with communicating ideas
- Professional prep and poise: 39% turn to AI to help with preparing for high-stakes moments (important meetings, leadership interactions)
Makina Mode IRL
For young Hispanic professionals, unlocking Makina Mode looks different for everyone—whether it’s landing a first promotion, building confidence in new spaces, launching a side project, or redefining success on their own terms. It’s about making intentional moves that build momentum and bring goals within reach.
To bring this concept to life, Microsoft partnered with three next-gen professionals who’ve achieved Makina Mode in their own ways: navigating challenges, carving unconventional paths, and using Microsoft 365 Copilot to stay focused and move forward.
Dani Klaric, interior designer: Dani started by experimenting with interiors and thrifted finds, turning her love for bold, playful design into a studio, Euphoria Collective, and a curated shop, Peachtree Revival. She’s built a career at the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship, proving that curiosity, consistency, and a strong point of view can evolve into multiple thriving ventures.
Andrea Casanova, founder: Andrea built her career from the ground up through side projects, client work, and speaking engagements. Over time, she launched multiple ventures and built systems to manage her ideas and execution, transforming her biggest ideas into tangible results while inspiring others to define success for themselves.
Jaime Muñoz, entrepreneur: Jaime entered the professional world the way many of us do—figuring it out in real time and balancing projects, deadlines, and the occasional coffee spill. He turns early-in-career chaos into creative momentum, showing how persistence, curiosity, and self-awareness can shape a meaningful path.
Tech industry veteran Yusuf Mehdi, Executive Vice President, Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, Microsoft, reflected on his own professional journey and how AI can become a reliable resource for next-gen professionals.
“Growing up, my mom painted a great picture of what was possible when you believed in yourself and viewed learning as the great opportunity. That notion is something that has stayed with me. Her determination as a first‑generation immigrant from Mexico shaped how I approach challenges, take risks, and stay committed to learning as I’ve faced important firsts in my career. With Makina Mode, our goal is to empower young professionals as they take their own important first steps in their careers.”
AI at work. It starts with you and your ambition
For many first‑ and second‑generation Hispanic young professionals, success is about more than building a résumé—it’s about building confidence and discovering new possibilities for the future. AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot serve as a true partner, not a replacement for traditional support systems, helping tech‑savvy professionals activate Makina Mode in meaningful and impactful ways whenever they need it.
- Prep like a pro, even when you’re new to the topic. Get up to speed before meetings, summarize background materials, pull key insights from relevant emails, documents, and spreadsheets, and generate talking points so you walk in informed and confident, even if it’s your first time in the room.
- Lead with confidence. Structure presentations, refine messaging, and anticipate questions so your ideas land clearly, whether in a 1:1 or when leading a high-stakes meeting for the first time.
- Communicate clearly and keep teams aligned. Turn scattered notes or brainstorms into clear next steps, assign responsibilities, and create shared task lists. Copilot helps you organize workflows and keep everyone moving in the same direction.
- Stay flexible. Quickly update plans, timelines, or tasks right in your document when priorities change. Copilot helps you iterate efficiently and keep projects on track.
- Track wins and grow. Use Copilot to monitor milestones, summarize outcomes, and capture lessons learned. It highlights key takeaways so you can continuously improve how you work and lead.
Copilot isn’t just helping you start work. It helps you finish it and feel prepared, right where work happens.
Join the conversation
Explore stories from our creator partners, and discover new ways to use Microsoft 365 Copilot to stay focused, organized, and moving forward. Join the conversation using #MakinaMode and share how you activate Makina Mode in your career.
*Microsoft survey conducted February 13 to March 4, 2026, with 500 US Hispanic respondents ages 18-28.
