Millennials: What do you really know?

Posted on 27 February, 2019

There are many myths about millennials that deserve to be busted—the ‘Millennials: What do you really know?’ event will present the perspectives of an entrepreneur, management consultant, journalist and public sector leaders.

I caught up with a contact recently at a cafe on a Monday morning. We ordered before promptly getting to the “What’s on for today?” question.

Their schedule was meetings, appointments, and deadlines. Mine was a walk around the lake, shopping and lunch with a friend.

My contact told me they couldn’t understand the lifestyle of a Millennial – how young people prioritise social life over work life and have pushed the boundaries of tradition to only work four days a week.

Two things frustrated me about their response. Firstly, the term Millennial. Secondly, the assumption my work wasn’t important to me.

What my contact forgot to consider before putting me in a generational box was that I do work five days a week, including weekends and shift work.

Monday was actually my day off.

—

I fall into the generation coined Millennial. We’re a group that many consider out-of-step with the “real world” because to them, our approaches to work and life seem unrealistic.

My experience is we’re often considered as narcissistic, 20-somethings who have a sense of entitlement.

But many demographers agree the term Millennial is much broader and refers to someone born between 1981 and 1996, stretching to 2000.

That means a millennial today can be between 19 and 38-years-old. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2018 we made up around half of the country’s working population.

To me, that doesn’t sound like a generation who prioritises social life over work.

—

There are many myths about millennials that deserve to be busted which is why I’m participating in a panel discussion about Millennials, hosted by Millennials.

Myself and five others will be given the opportunity to talk about our generation, from the perspectives of an entrepreneur, management consultant, journalist and public sector leaders.

The idea of the panel came from Dr Kim Vella, an accredited executive career coach who heard people complaining about millennials being ‘difficult’ in the workplace.

Her view is leaders and managers need to better understand the generation to work with them more effectively.

The panel will bust common myths such as the idea Millennials are ungrateful about to work opportunities.

When I was graduating high school, a careers advisor told me a career in journalism was a bad idea because it’s a dying profession facing job cuts, company mergers and social media as the enemy. When everyday Australians could break news via the internet, what role could a journalist play?

But I persisted, and every day I’m grateful for the opportunities that have come my way.

Another myth is that Millennials don’t listen and are selfish.

I value regular feedback, appreciate constructive criticism and am grateful for praise – three things I give my colleagues regularly. I also believe teamwork is stronger and more valuable than the work of an individual. Millennials need and deserve to have their voices heard.

Abolishing structure and routine is also a myth. Sure, some millennials might not like it, but many Gen Y’s, Gen X’s or Baby Boomers might not either.

Structure keeps me grounded but I’m also enthusiastic, creative, and collaborative. I look at a work environment and think of ways to make it better, fairer and more inclusive. I forward-think and I want to make a difference.

—

American author Alvin Toffler once said:

“The secret message communicated to most young people today by the society around them is that they are not needed, that the society will run itself quite nicely until they – at some distant point in the future – will take over the reigns.

Yet the fact is that the society is not running itself nicely… because the rest of us need all the energy, brains, imagination and talent that young people can bring to bear down on our difficulties. For society to attempt to solve its desperate problems without the full participation of even very young people is imbecile.”

Millennials value the knowledge and experience of those older than us, but in the same way Alvin Toffler saw the significant difference a young person can make, so can you, starting with hearing from Millennials directly.

the essentials

What: ‘Millennials: What do you really know?’
When: 6 March, 6 to 7.30pm.
Where: Commonwealth Club, Forster Crescent, Yarralumla
How much: Tickets are $40 and available here.