Years ago, when I initially began hearing the word “millennial” brought up in conversation, there was a certain stigma associated with it. “Millennials are constantly on their phones,” for example. Or “millennials are unable to think for themselves.” Or finally, “millennials are lazy, entitled, narcissistic and shallow.” Ouch.
It’s both inherent and impossible to generalize an entire generation of people based on what we’re familiar (or unfamiliar) with.
Amid the stereotypes, I’m here to share some of the positives I’ve observed from my generation. We’re informed. We grew up in the digital age, meaning we’re accustomed to having research tools available at our fingertips, enabling us to react and solve problems quickly. We’re educated. We’re the most educated generation to date, actually, with 34 percent of millennials having at least a bachelor’s degree, according to NPR.
We’re everywhere. Millennials make up one third of the working population in the U.S., according to a study by the Pew Research Center. And with estimates proposing that more than 50 million baby boomers will retire over the next 20 years, it’s critical that we’re introduced into the workforce and granted opportunities to grow and develop.
We’re not afraid of change. Sure, we’re pegged as job-hoppers who quickly grow bored of our surroundings. But once we find the right fit (flexible hours in a positive work culture for a company that values its employees, please) we’re willing to stick around for the long run. We’re involved in our communities. Whether through our jobs or on our own time, we value community engagement and making a difference in the places we work, play and live.
But don’t just take my word for it. We're featuring some incredible individuals who are making noticeable impacts in their careers, are greatly involved in their communities and are changing the way society views millennials—one amazing accomplishment at a time. Among them are business owners, attorneys, vice presidents, directors and other stupendous titles that make me proud to be a #millennial.
Also, we profile three local businesses that are doing their part to honor local veterans, and we spend a day in the life of a dedicated STIHL member working on the 4180 trimmer line by day and making dresses by night.
No matter your age or generational title, it’s surely an issue to enjoy.
Angela Blue, Editor-in-Chief
Angela@CoVaBIZMag.com
