In just two short years, Millennials–young adults born between 1976 and 2001–are set to make up 36 percent of the U.S. workforce. They’re ambitious and willing to learn, but many employers and employees just don’t understand their value.
While Gen Y has been called lazy and entitled, they bring much to the table that older generations don’t have a grasp on, such as technological savvy, multitasking abilities, social media expertise, idealism, ambition, and interpersonal skills. It is true, however, that their attitudes toward work and their careers differ from generations past, as is evidenced by a new infographic from 2tor, an education startup, and The Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). Some of their findings include:
- Gen Y prefers “meaningful work” over high pay.
- 1 in 3 Millennials say “social media freedom” is of higher priority than salary numbers.
- 54 percent say a job that allows you to make new friends is “very important.”
- 65 percent said the opportunity for professional growth is the most influential factor of their current job.
In addition to these points, Gen Y can be a “social media megaphone” for your company–chances are, they’ve been cultivating online social communities for years, and this can only be beneficial to your company’s visibility and growth. In addition, Millennials are motivated by more than just money–30 percent most highly value meaningful work. Check out more reasons why Gen Y is good for your business in the infographic below:
Do you employ Millennials at your company? How have you adjusted to working with them? Share your thoughts in a comment below!
