There’s no shortage of headlines about millennials—who they are, what they want and why they’re so different from any other working-age generation out there. Maybe it’s because millennials (those born between 1980 and 2000) are now the largest working population. Or that they’re a little too comfortable with technology. Or that they’re pushing back on what a traditional day of work looks like.
It’s created plenty of tension—and plenty of assumptions about this generation. For the summer issue of our magazine, Business Altitude, we asked five millennials about their careers and the myths they’ve had to bust since they entered the working world. Below, see what one had to say about every myth circling Gen Y.
Ilze Rodriguez always knew she wanted to work in construction. When her family visited China, she wanted to go see pagodas so she could understand how they were built. Growing up in Texas, she came to Colorado two years ago and works as an estimator for GE Johnson Construction Company.
Millennials are lazy and entitled
I have met millennials who definitely feel like they’re entitled, but I’ve also met people that are not millennials that feel entitled as well, so I don’t think that’s because we’re millennials. I think that has a lot to do with the fact that growing up, for example in my case: My parents didn’t know the work-life balance thing. My dad was the only one who worked. My mom stayed home. My dad would just work, work, work because he had to provide for his family. Trying to balance that did not exist. Millennials, we want that work-life balance. We understand how important our job is. Because we’re so technology advanced and we’re very smart, we can get things done a lot quicker sometimes than it would take a Gen Xer or a Baby Boomer. We feel like we’re doing a good job in our jobs – we’re getting things done – but at the same time we want more than to just work 40, 60, 70 hours a week and then have no life outside work.
I want my child to know that I’m there for him. I’m getting my job done, I’m making sure my deadlines are met and that I’m getting my job done correctly. But I’m also not going to be sitting here for 60 hours a week because you think that’s the work ethic I should have. I think that’s what we millennials struggle with is that these Gen Xers and Baby Boomers don’t know a work-life balance is and it’s very new. And, of course change is difficult for everyone. [Millennials] seeking that and questioning them as to why you’re not trying to accomplish that, I think that’s where the controversy is.
Millennials don’t want to work for a big company
I can see both points of view and have met millennials and coworkers who go with either, and neither of them are bad. I think millennials are just as loyal as other generations. I think the only difference is that we get pushed out, especially in bigger companies, because they’ve been doing things for so long in a certain way and they are reluctant to adapt to change or a new mindset. I’m a little stubborn so I push back a lot. I understand that things work … but something works for only a certain period of time. If we stop trying to change and better ourselves and trying to keep up with the new, up-and-coming then we’re just failing ourselves and eventually we’re going to fail as a company.
We are just as loyal, it’s just it’s more difficult for us to find a company that fits our culture, that work-life balance and feeling supported.
Millennials don’t want to grow up
It’s not so much that we don’t want to grow up; it’s that we see our parents and how quickly that they had to grow up and mature, and how much they missed out on. What is the rush now? For example, I made a comment about women’s rights and how women had been fighting for the right to vote for so long, the right to go to school for so long, the right to have a life, basically, and be equal to a man. For us to not take advantage of those opportunities out there now, it’s like we’re backtracking on all those rights we were given just because someone views us as not wanting to grow up, falling into the wife and mother role as quickly as we used to. I think from a woman’s perspective that definitely has a lot to do with it.
Simply, there are a lot of things to do in life and it’s again that work-life balance that we are seeking. Yes, we want to reach leadership roles and manager roles, but we have a different thought process than Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. It’s not so much that we don’t want to grow up, it’s simply we want to enjoy everything there is about it.
Millennials all live in their parents’ basements
That’s so hilarious to me. I know a lot of coworkers and fellow millennials that are itching to get out of their parent’s basements if they’re still in college. They want to go and live downtown for example. It’s that wanting to be out, amongst fellow millennials and having new experiences. We’re not living in our parent’s basements.
I know of a couple people living with their parents, but it’s more because they’re supporting their parents. … They’ve taken charge of the household.
A piece of advice for employers
It’s all about being open and supportive of that person and their growth.
Parting thought
I know that every generation has had its criticisms but I think we’re getting it pretty bad right now.
Sara Crocker is the communications manager for the Denver Metro Chamber.
Want to learn more about the making of a millennial? Check out the Summer issue of Business Altitude.