We keep hearing again and again how this current generation
of young adults, or Millennials (born roughly between 1980-2000), are not prepared for the workplace. They’re lazy. They’re addicted to technology. They want praise for everything. They can’t communicate face to face. The list goes on and on about the negative stereotypes this generation has coined.
What we often overlook are the increasing amount of articles and polls published about the positive qualities about this generation
as well. For you Millennials reading this article, take our advice as to how to
let your positive qualities shine, and perhaps even how to offer a new
perspective to those who see you in a negative light.
Stereotype #1:
Millennials, you are addicted to technology.
We’ve all seen you on your phones and devices in class,
walking to the library, and everywhere in between. While this habit might be
irritating when faculty are trying to teach, your ability to learn and adapt to
new technology is truly impeccable. Your generation has grown up with
information at its fingertips, and while we might assume you’re always playing Pokémon
Go or making fish faces on Snapchat, many of you are reading the news, looking
up new information for class, or communicating with family and friends far
away. In a job interview, make it clear to your employer that you are a quick
learner, have used many forms of technology, and can collect information rapidly
and efficiently. On the job, make sure to leave the personal messaging and web
surfing for after hours. As tempting as it might be to check your phone or peek
at Facebook, don’t give your employer a reason to think you’re using technology
for the wrong reasons.
Stereotype #2:
Millennials, you need praise for every little thing you do!
You may or may not have heard that your generation is also
referred to as the “Trophy Generation,” where participation medals and ribbons
were given to all children, not just
the winners. While the intentions behind this gesture may have been good, it’s
led some to believe that people your age feel they deserve to win everything,
or at minimum be told they’ve done a good job in everything they attempt. For
an employer from previous generations (Generation X or Baby Boomers), this
might be frustrating for them to understand. So, how can this become a
positive? Perhaps you need to make a shift in mindset to realize that outward positive
reinforcement doesn’t need to be a
constant in order to do well and stay motivated. A clear line of communication
between you and your employer can also be helpful. Make it clear to them what
your preferred communication style is, and that you’d like to know when things
are going well and when there are
concerns. This might clue the employer in that you’d like more direct,
intentional feedback. Finding some intrinsic motivation can also be healthy:
perform well simply because it makes you feel
good, and not just when someone else is watching!
Stereotype #3:
Millennials, you are lazy.
This can be frustrating or even hurtful to hear. You’ve gone
to college, put in the time and effort, and have a degree to show for it – how
could that make you lazy?! Well, sometimes it’s more about your attitude as to
how you go about tasks and expectations, not just the fact that you may have
completed them. We all had to do things we didn’t enjoy in college, whether it
was a group project or 30 page research papers or simply tough classes. That
will continue after college, no matter how much you love your job. Chances are,
most of you aren’t lazy; you might just be a big disengaged, or tired, or
distracted, which happens to all of us. You have to make sure that your first
impressions are showing the opposite: be eager for new tasks, ask questions,
show up early, volunteer for committees or staff events. Engaging with your
career and colleagues will make not only your attitude and demeanor more
positive, but you’ll take more away from the experience as well.
Bottom Line:
There are several articles with more research and facts and
interesting perspectives about this generation and their entrance into the
workforce, and I’ve included just a few (formal and informal) ones below. If
you are a Millennial, or employ Millennials, I encourage you to continue
researching the qualities and habits of these young adults and learn how to
maximize their potential, because after all, they have a lot to offer.
Sources:
Abbot, L. (2013)
8 Millennials’ Traits You Should Know About Before You Hire Them. Retrieved
from https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/2013/12/8-millennials-traits-you-should-know-about-before-you-hire-them
Alsop, R. (2008).
The Trophy Kids Grow Up: how the
millennial generation is shaking up the workplace. San Francisco, CA:
Jossey-Bass,
Stein, J.,
Sanburn, J. (2013). The New Greatest Generation: why millennials will save us
all. Time Magazine. Retrieved from http://time.com/247/millennials-the-me-me-me-generation/
Written by: Anne Funke, University of Dubuque
Assistant Director of Vocation & Civic Engagement
Edited by: Sarah Moss, Dordt College
Career Development Coordinator
Assistant Director of Vocation & Civic Engagement
Edited by: Sarah Moss, Dordt College
Career Development Coordinator
