Tariffs, trade wars, climate change and more. According to the latest global annual World's Most Attractive Employers (WMAE) research from Universum, the career aspirations of a growing portion of students are being influenced by economic uncertainty. Clearly divided into two segments, the research found 53 percent of Gen Z students are security seekers, followed by 35 percent focused on innovating their way through the disruptive challenges the world is confronting now. This year, 247,235 business and engineering/IT students located across the 12 largest global economies, participated in the annual research that analyzes those companies, industries and employment attributes in-demand by new grads. The study provides critical insights into this highly desirable talent pool, providing employers with a direct view into expectations and aspirations. Familiar brands lure Gen Z, with Google taking the top spot for the tenth consecutive year. Google appeals to Gen Z's bifurcation: as an employer, it's dynamic and innovative, as well as large, successful and secure. Other key findings regarding employers, students and career plans include: - Given the momentum of Amazon, one industry – e-commerce – gained ground with business students. - Improved linkage to innovation, creativity and high future earnings have made the auto industry more attractive and competitive. - A strong focus on work-life balance has dulled the desire for an international career. Trade tensions have also created a backlash for foreign employers. - For business students, their top three job-related communication channels are social media, employers' career websites and online job boards. The response differs slightly from their engineering/IT counterparts, who rely more on career fairs than online job boards. WMAE 2019 Business Rankings Top Five: 1. Google (Non-mover) 2. EY – Ernst & Young (3rd in 2018) 3. PwC - PricewaterhouseCoopers (6th in 2018) 4. Deloitte (Non-mover) 5. Apple (7th in 2018) WMAE 2019 Engineering/IT Rankings Top Five: 1. Google (Non-mover) 2. Microsoft (Non-mover) 3. Apple (Non-mover) 4. BMW Group (Non-mover) 5. IBM (7th in 2018) To download the full rankings, please visit http://bit.ly/2mWc0aO About Universum Universum, part of the StepStone Group, is an insight-driven research, consulting and activation firm specialized in employer branding. Media contact Jonas Barck, Global CMO: jonas.barck@universumglobal.com, +46-706933388 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1003302/Emblem.jpg SOURCE: Universum