the millenial employee

The Millennial EmployeeThe Millennial EmployeeA presentation for the

Burlington Business Association

Peter StraubeChamplain College Division of Business

Adapted from a presentation by Beth Moriarty of Bridgewater State College

Much of this material is based on a theory of Much of this material is based on a theory of generational personalities, developed by generational personalities, developed by William Strauss and Neil Howe and described William Strauss and Neil Howe and described in in GenerationsGenerations and and Millenials RisingMillenials Rising..

Basic concept:Basic concept: Our individual worldviews are shaped by our Our individual worldviews are shaped by our life experiences; Generations tend to grow up life experiences; Generations tend to grow up with a set of shared experiences, which with a set of shared experiences, which produces a common worldview or “group produces a common worldview or “group personality”.personality”.

Disclaimers:Disclaimers:

““Millennials” is a term that makes Millennials” is a term that makes generalizationsgeneralizations about a group of people who about a group of people who share some common characteristics.share some common characteristics.

The Millenials “personality” is only a The Millenials “personality” is only a stereotype. Individual experiences and stereotype. Individual experiences and perceptions will vary from person to person.perceptions will vary from person to person.

Generations in the Workforce:

TraditionalsBaby BoomersGeneration XMillennials

Snapshot: Snapshot: Generational PersonalitiesGenerational Personalities

TRADITIONALISTS: value security, TRADITIONALISTS: value security, loyalty, seniority. Patriotic. Accept loyalty, seniority. Patriotic. Accept military-style leadership.military-style leadership.

BABY BOOMERS: question authority, BABY BOOMERS: question authority, change things for the better, competitive, change things for the better, competitive, value recognitionvalue recognition

Snapshot, part 2:Snapshot, part 2:

GEN X: the “Me” generation; skeptical of GEN X: the “Me” generation; skeptical of authority and institutions; value freedom authority and institutions; value freedom and autonomy: “I have to take care of and autonomy: “I have to take care of myself”myself”

MILLENIALS: work that has meaning; MILLENIALS: work that has meaning; collaborate to make a differencecollaborate to make a difference

Who are the Millennials?Who are the Millennials? Americans born 1982 – 2000 Americans born 1982 – 2000 Sometimes referred to as Generation Y, Sometimes referred to as Generation Y,

Nexters, the Boomerang Generation or Nexters, the Boomerang Generation or the Dot-Com Generationthe Dot-Com Generation

They have never known a world without cell They have never known a world without cell phones, computers, CD’s or MTVphones, computers, CD’s or MTV

As a group, they are highly educated, creative & As a group, they are highly educated, creative & techno-savvytechno-savvy

Tend to have had lots of parental supervision & Tend to have had lots of parental supervision & involvementinvolvement

Trends that Have Trends that Have Shaped the GenerationShaped the Generation

Focus on children & familyFocus on children & familyScheduled, structured livesScheduled, structured livesMulticulturalismMulticulturalismTerrorismTerrorismHeroism and PatriotismHeroism and PatriotismParent AdvocacyParent Advocacy

Characteristics of MillennialsCharacteristics of Millennials

Optimistic & HopefulOptimistic & Hopeful Cooperative Team PlayersCooperative Team Players Accept Authority and follow the rulesAccept Authority and follow the rules Tolerant of DiversityTolerant of Diversity Connected 24/7; techno-savvyConnected 24/7; techno-savvy Share their lives on the world stageShare their lives on the world stage

Characteristics of MillennialsCharacteristics of Millennials(continued…)(continued…)

Intelligent and Value EducationIntelligent and Value Education Goal and Achievement-OrientedGoal and Achievement-Oriented Confident & “Ready”Confident & “Ready” Eager for RecognitionEager for Recognition Civic MindedCivic Minded

Implications Implications for the workplacefor the workplace

Need Feedback and StructureNeed Feedback and Structure Expect high standards, but also “fairness”Expect high standards, but also “fairness” Team/group ethic—like to collaborateTeam/group ethic—like to collaborate Search for meaning in work: may seek Search for meaning in work: may seek

employers they perceive as being employers they perceive as being “the good guys”“the good guys”

Working with MillennialsWorking with Millennials

Be a role modelBe a role modelSet clear expectationsSet clear expectationsShow them respectShow them respectChallenge them; help them learnChallenge them; help them learnBe flexible Be flexible Develop social/work relationshipsDevelop social/work relationshipsHave some fun at work! Have some fun at work!

Contact Info at Champlain College:

e-Mail: straube@champlain.edu

Phone: 865-6438Phone: 865-6438

Comments, Questions, Comments, Questions, Thoughts?Thoughts?