Eighty million young adults born between 1976 and 2001 fall into the category of Millennials. By 2014, Millennials will make up 36 percent of the workforce. By 2020, that number will grow by 10 percent.
Tech-savvy Millennials will own the workforce someday. Until then, our star performers’ accomplishments will be discounted and the lot of us will be stereotyped as lazy, entitled, narcissistic and uncommitted, among other unflattering traits.
But, as Forbes staff writer Jenna Goudreau said in her article, “Why Millennial Workers Aren’t As Useless As You Thought,” it’s time for Millennials to flip stereotypes and make our youth work for us. Goudreau gave ten reasons why youth is actually an indispensable asset.
We’re Flexible
Most Millennials don’t have family dependents requiring them to work a strict Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. As a result, we tend to be the most flexible when it comes to working later hours and weekends. Additionally, Millennials don’t usually have mortgages tying them to a certain area and are more willing to relocate should an opportunity become available.
We’re Members Of A Key Marketing Demographic
Companies spend billions of dollars researching and marketing products and services to our age group. Answering questions about Millennials’ likes and dislikes comes easily to us because, well, it is us. Our time spent throwing back drinks with friends at the bar isn’t gluttonous; it’s market research.
We’re Fluent In Technology
Millennials are extremely comfortable with ever-expanding technology because, for some, there never was a time without it. Level of technical ability aside, Millennials tend to be more comfortable with technology and social networking tools than seasoned professionals.
We’re Collaborative
Millennials grew up completing group projects in school. As a result, we’re more tolerant, encouraging, and considerate of co-workers, which allow us to thrive in workplaces where interaction, open office plans and brainstorming are the norm.
We’re Interested In Meaningful Work
According to Businessweek, Millennials job hop three times as often as the average American worker. But the practice isn’t an act of defiance or an embodiment of disloyalty, it’s the pursuit finding value and meaning in our work over money. When we find our passion, we become a company’s best asset.
To read Goudreau’s full Forbes post, visit here.
How do you make your youth work for you? Share your stories in the comment section below!
