I read fellow Curatti author Cesar Romero’s latest article about the multi-generational dilemma and the opportunity there was for a generational understanding towards how millenials view their career prospects and what they are looking for in their jobs today. In reading what the media has to say about my generation these days, I think it can be boiled down to:

• Millenials want to work a job where they feel like they are changing the world.
• Millenials are often criticized for not being as focused on the job as they could be.
• Millenials are waiting tables, driving taxis, and doing things far from what they majored in while in college.
• Millenials are moving home, delaying families, and opting to live in community instead of investing in assets.

We also know that:

• The economy has changed drastically. The recession proved that old industries are on the way out and you MUST adapt.
• Technology changes faster than ever, especially in social media and mobile.
• What used to be your parent’s 401(k) and retirement account is now the millenial’s travel dream. Homes are bought later in exchange for experiences now.
• Companies now hire less, expect employees to do more, and have a far lower patience level.
• Training is lessened and so is acknowledgement. In a more tech-connected world it’s not about who you are, but what you do.

Yet…

• Companies still expect employees to be a good “cultural fit”.
• Companies want people to come in day one and consult, despite having known very little.
• Employees without experience must somehow still find experience in order to be considered.

None of these facts I listed above are nuanced in any way or manner. Everyone from Mashable to TechCrunch, BusinessInsider to business and career coaches have opined on the fact that millenials seem to lack a sense of direction, but the accusation doesn’t come without frustration from the millenials either, who want that direction, including this one. Just because we grew up with mobile phones, social networks, Internet technologies, and the ability to catalyze business on top of technology within the energy of a startup, does not mean that we are absolved of the opportunity for mentorship. As Cesar said, “the way [Generation Y] perceive[s] and use[s] technology is so different from the way other generations before me perceive it.”

With landscapes continually changing, this is an advocacy for greater continued mentorship in the realm of marketing, particularly social media, but also careers in general. Millennials I know are some of the hungriest people I know, and many will stop at nothing for the opportunity to succeed, whether it is social media or corporate finance. There is a shared moment here for a golden opportunity that all generations can share, can have, and can make the world a better place. I believe it comes down to helping answer the following questions:

• Actionable mentorship in and out of the workplace: What can we do to set up ambitious Millennials to succeed?
• Compassionate career tracks: What can we do to encourage companies to care about their employees again, beyond just an 8 hour day?
• Impactful involvement: What can we do to let Millennials know that they can make an impact through what they do in the workplace?
• A Voice in the Cause: What can we do to let Millennials share their voice in a noisy world, but also show that they can be respected?

I’d like to invite you to the discussion for what we can do to re-create the mentorship, community, and voice that careers once had, but now feels lacking in the modern world. I believe we can create this change through meaningful discussion, and I invite your thoughts.

To 2014, and a great year ahead.

 

Image found in http://www.greenbookblog.org/2013/07/18/millenials-will-disrupt-consumer-research-heres-how/