Connor Vukelich Innovates Gen Z Job Searches

What is your business, and what inspired you to start it?

I'm the founder of Poppin' Jobs — an online job platform for high school and college students. The idea came after my own challenging job search experience at 16, which highlighted the need for better resources.

We're building tools to help employers connect with Gen Z talent and prepare these candidates with modern skills, including AI familiarity and resume building. We're about to launch a significant marketing campaign in 15 states and 150 cities, sending out around 200,000 emails per month.

What was your “Aha!” moment?

My questions began when I struggled to find entry-level positions online. My "Aha!” moment occurred after analyzing years of BLS data from 2010 to 2024. I noticed a clear trend: many people struggled to find jobs. I cross-checked this with posts on LinkedIn, Indeed and Instagram, where others expressed similar challenges. That alignment confirmed that the problem was real and widespread.

What are some of the complications you found in starting a business?

Balancing everything, especially finding time, can be tough. Motivation is crucial because you’ll encounter challenges that drain your energy. Staying motivated and focused on your goal matters most.

When it comes to building my business, I've made mistakes. We offshored some tasks early on because it seemed cost-effective, but it didn’t work out. I learned that having the right people who are dedicated to moving the product forward is crucial for success.

What helped you balance classwork, student life and business?

Balancing classwork, student life and business can be a challenge. For me, I like to schedule my classes around company commitments, since our plans are often made up to a year in advance.

If we're focusing on hiring one month, I'll take an HR class that fits with that theme. This way, I can ask relevant questions in class and align my academic work with real-world projects, so I'm not duplicating effort. It's a system that works well, especially since many of us are working in the same field we're studying — combining the two is efficient.

I also use a calendar and keep a whiteboard beside my desk to jot down tasks as they come up, especially if I can't address them immediately. This helps me remember smaller tasks that might get overlooked in the midst of a busy day. Tasks can really add up over time, so I use the calendar and whiteboard to make sure things — both big and small — get done.

How difficult is it to find funding?

Fundraising is a challenge. We've raised just under a million dollars — mainly through connections with angel investors. Professional investors ask about revenue models, exit strategies and contract details, which are tough questions to answer when you’re starting out.

We have signed SAFE (simple agreements for future equity) agreements with all of our investors. Since most of my angel investors were family and friends, rather than professional investors or lawyers, it took a while to work through the SAFE agreements.

As students, we have access to free resources, and nonprofit organizations provide guidance for grant applications. Researching all possible funding options is crucial. Sometimes offering company equity can help attract resources or team members.

I just deposited a $250,000 check from one of our investors. It was very, very scary because you are essentially holding your future, your honor and your self-worth in this business. You put everything you have into it because people expect a lot from you, especially when they start investing in you.

How do you define success?

To me, success means solving the problem while ensuring a clear path to profitability. Addressing challenges is important, but sustainability requires profit. Ultimately, once you're profitable, you're self-sufficient and ready to tackle new problems.

What’s next after graduation?

I still have quite a bit left to do at school — about eighteen more months — there's still a long journey ahead. After graduation, I’m hopeful that things will be in a good place, ideally with enough growth for this to become my full-time position. Between now and graduation, we have significant development work planned. After that, our focus shifts to addressing technical debt and ensuring the platform runs smoothly.

How has entrepreneurship changed you?

I've learned to see opportunities everywhere. Recently, while playing basketball, I met someone struggling to find work as an engineer. I suggested their challenges might be due to the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) — automated resume filters used by large companies.

These systems help companies save time, but they can make it harder for qualified individuals who may not present themselves well on paper. That encounter prompted me to think of ways someone struggling to get interviews could optimize their resume for ATS, enabling them to reach a real person and showcase their talents.

A brief conversation — just a single sentence — often sparks new ideas for me. Every encounter becomes an opportunity to explore and understand topics more deeply.

Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with thoughts about things that aren't quite working or concepts I need to jot down. I keep a notebook by my bed, as I frequently find myself waking up with something intriguing in my mind that warrants further research.

Why did you choose Embry‑Riddle?

I chose Embry‑Riddle because it has the best aerospace engineering program in the country. Having grown up on the California coast and living in Washington state for several years, I started to miss  the sun and sea, so the Daytona Beach Campus is perfect for me.

My business takes up so much time that I decided to switch to a business degree, allowing me to apply the lessons I learn in class to my work with Poppin’ Jobs. I plan to return for an engineering degree when time allows.

One benefit of Embry‑Riddle is its expert faculty, including College of Business professors Jennifer Hinebaugh and Dr. Laura Reece. Their research on Gen Z in the workforce aligns with my company's interests, and discussing ideas with them has improved my understanding of the market and, I hope, contributed to their studies.

If you’re passionate about transforming lives or supporting groundbreaking startups, get involved with Embry‑Riddle’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship — you could make the next big breakthrough.