MILLENNIALS. They’re all the buzz right now, and (as a millennial) why shouldn’t we be?
We're the largest generation in the United States – making up 25% of the population. We’re into innovation and supporting causes, pushing off marriage and seizing adventure, and leaning on technology and social media like a crutch we simply cannot live without. We’re a force to be reckoned with, a hot topic of conversation, and an untamable generation (so it’s been said).
Yet, I can’t say I agree with all the hype.
Having read dozens of articles, scrutinized a number of infographics, and participated in countless conversations on the topic, I certainly agree with and support a number of statistics, whereas several have me saying, WTF?! (That’s millennial lingo)
For those of you who don’t know, millennials are the cohort of Americans born between 1980 and 2000 – that’s what we’re going with for argument sake. Any given source is likely to report something slightly different, I’ve read everything from 1977 to 2000, to 1980 to the mid-2000s. Regardless of the precise range, that’s quite a gap! A gap I feel isn’t always considered in the outpour of information. Maybe it’s because I’m on the “older” side of this generation, or maybe I’m just not as “in tune” with saving the world one tweet at a time.
Nonetheless, a mini reflection session:
Stats I can get behind (and fall into the percentage of):
• 75% of millennials would like to travel abroad #airportshuffle
• 77% of millennials say marriage can wait – in 2010s the median marriage age is 30 #singlemingle
• 50% of millennials are more willing to make a purchase from a company that supports a cause #buytogive
• 69% of millennials say they crave adventure #thrillseekers
Stats that raise a brow (and I don’t fall into the percentage of):
• 60% of millennials feel guilty for taking a break during the work day, and report that having an allotted break time each day would make them happier #permissiontousethebathroom
• 25% of millennials intend to stay at their organization a year or less #flightrisk
• 25% of millennials believe staying at a job for seven months indicates they're loyal #7pageresume
• 50% of millennials would rather have no job than a job they hate #stillinthenest
For those of you who haven’t been keeping up with the millennial mega media, the above wouldn’t even put a dent in your iPhone case. This is a baby portion of what’s been surveyed, but a few of the recent stats that certainly caught my attention.
I’m a firm believer in a solid work ethic, something I hope the latter side of the millennial range is not lacking. Needless to say, as in any generation, there are certainly differences across the gap that make some of us stronger than others. Whereever you are, stay on the pursuit of being a mover and shaker, however that shows up for you! (and maybe aim to stay at a job 12 months or longer – just see how it goes).
You can check out all the data for yourself at the sources below:
http://www.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/pages/millennials/
http://www.millennialmarketing.com/who-are-millennials/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/millennials_report.pdf
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-millennials-are-coming/
http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8358-millennials-nontraditional-perks.html
