Millennials have a bad reputation amongst other generations — they have been stereotyped as entitled, technologically dependent, job hoppers, and much more. Two millennials examine and explain these stereotypes deciphering the real meaning behind them and why they matter.
Watch the story here:
How millennials are responding to traditional stereotypes in the modern day. Video produced by Mackenzie Gellner and Kemi Omorogbe
All stereotypes come from somewhere and it seems not all are unjustified but they don’t always paint the most accurate picture.
According to Forbes magazine, only one in three millennials feel their organization is making the most of their skills and experience. Mount Royal University student, Erica Effah, has seen fellow millennials in her workplace expecting to go from intern to manager within a short period of time so she understands how this may appear as entitlement.
However, as students are nearing graduation, they feel prepared to tackle a professional workload with their new knowledge.
“We feel as if we’ve learnt a lot, and we can apply our new knowledge… We have fresh skills, we have the motivation to apply that to these companies but I do think we have to understand, with time, comes experience,” she explains.
Fresh new skills
According to Inc. magazine, 73 per cent of millennials are more experienced with technology than other generations. Their advanced knowledge helps manage their work-life balance. Twenty-nine-year-old MRU student, Tayler Delannoy, doesn’t think millennials are always using technology but they have the skills to.
“I think that our generation is more in tune with technology because we grew up with it.”
Optimal Networks also states that millennials are seen as flight risks — 38 per cent are actively looking to switch roles and 43 per cent are open to other offers.
Effah understands how they are seen as job hoppers but sees it more as seeking valuable opportunities.
“I feel like I’m willing to work my way up so if that means it’s gonna take me over five years — fine, so be it — I’m still young,” she explains.
Tayler sees it much the same way: “A lot of people are different and they’re bold … they are trying to fit into a society that’s been formed for them.”
“So yes, there are some things that they do that may seem different than what a gen X or a baby boomer may do but they’re just trying to fit in within their society.”
Editor: Emma Stevens | estevens@cjournal.ca