Generation X is no longer the largest generation of workers. Millennials, who are currently 18-34 years old, surpassed Generation X in 2016, now making up the largest population in the workforce. According to Pew Research Center, there are 53.5 million Millennials working, compared to the 52.7 million Generation X workers. Baby Boomers still make up 29 percent of workers, while the Silent Generation are at just 2 percent.
Millennials grew up differently than older generations. With the innovations of technology, the generation has been forced to easily adapt. Millennials also place great importance on personal care, making the balance of work and home life a priority. Ernst & Young’s Global Generation Research surveyed full-time employees and found that one-third of employees think it is getting harder to balance their work and family. This is due to increased hours and family expenses without an increase in salary. Millennials want flexibility in their schedule so they can focus on mental health.
Ball Bearings met with four different workers to see how a generational shift in culture can affect the workplace: Terry Miller, 22, a Ball State marketing graduate working as the assistant store manager at Mattress Firm; Trake Carpenter, 26, the owner of Let’s Spoon; Jennifer Bott, 40, dean of the Miller College of Business and associate provost for Learning Initiatives; and James Mitchell, 41, the associate director for Career Relations.
Ball Bearings: Millennials are on the rise and are beginning full-time jobs. How prepared are college graduates to enter these positions right out of college?
Terry Miller: I think college graduates are very prepared to enter the workforce. Mostly you just need to be able to conduct yourself in a professional manner and work hard in the beginning. There can be a lot of information to absorb at first, but absorbing a lot of information quickly is something we are accustomed to doing.
Trake Carpenter: I would say the average Millennial, myself included, is less prepared than they think they are. I probably thought I was more prepared for opening a business than I was. I learned very quickly it’s not what it’s cracked up to be. But I think that’s true for pretty much anything after college. It’s a big change of pace, and I think it’s more of a “Can you adapt to the new environment?” than an “Are you ready?” Because I don’t know if you can be ready.
Jennifer Bott: I think all students who, whether they’re Millennials or the generations before, are prepared for work if they’ve engaged in the workplace as part of their education. I think having experience in the workplace, understanding workplace etiquette, [and] understanding workplace values is so critical in developing their confidence to succeed. And I think the best way to do that is for students to take advantage of internships throughout their years in college. And [having] as many internships as possible helps students learn the differences between organizational cultures because some organizations may have – either intentionally or unintentionally – created a workplace that’s more favorable toward Millennials or they use technology differently, which is certainly something Millennials bring to the workforce. So having students engage with the workforce prior to joining is absolutely critical.
James Mitchell: I think college graduates, specifically Ball State graduates, are well-prepared – especially academically – to enter the workforce. Employers look to hire from Ball State and they look time and time again. I think often it relies on the college student. How well have you been preparing to graduate and move into the workforce? That’s a key sometimes students don’t consider. What have I done? Have I taken advantage of the resources available to me? Whether that’s with professors in my academic department, across the institution through student or professional organizations, through career coaching or other services the career center provides. So I think so much of it really relies on the student if they are prepared to graduate and move into the workforce. And there are lots of people who are there to help them.
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