According to a CNN report, ‘millennials’ are defined as individuals born between 1981 to 1996. They represent a quarter of Singapore’s population today and have a place in almost every organisation. Whilst the previous generations worked hard to survive financially, the millennials are backed by the stability of their parents’ provisions and are focused on pursuing a career that incentivises them with more than just money. It is a common misconception worldwide that millennials are disloyal, impatient, materialistic, and over-confident. This was further reiterated in the nationwide survey conducted in CNA Insider’s documentary: Regardless of Generation.
While this can be disheartening to hear, millennials must recognise their value and worth. Once they are confident in what they have to offer, they are quick to lend a hand in an area they know best. Moving beyond popular opinions, let us examine how millennials fare in the working world and how their unique qualities can be a potential asset for an organisation.
Millennials Are Digitally-savvy
When it comes to learning the latest features on Instagram or finding the best app to use in your next presentation, digitally savvy millennials are your ‘first responders’ if you will. After all, they are the first generation to spend the bulk of their developmental years browsing the internet and smart gadgets for extended periods of time.
How does this benefit employers? If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is that technology is crucial for a business to survive. And competent millennials can aid as online guides for brands to scale new technology heights. Whether it is coming up with a Kahoot quiz to make a presentation more interactive or building an online social presence for the company, employers are in good hands. Millennials may be called overconfident, but many of them certainly know what they are doing and might be carrying the solution to an organisation’s online problems.
Millennials Are Change Seekers
People often view millennials’ need for change as ‘disloyalty’. However, they are wired to constantly strive to better themselves and expand their skillset. This includes the desire to actively improve and climb within an organisation.
An IBM’s Institute for Business Value report titled “Myths, Exaggerations and Uncomfortable Truths: The Real Story Behind Millennials in the Workplace” showed that 20 percent of millennials’ long-term goal is to be an expert in their field, five percent more than baby boomers. Most millennials job-hop when they feel their organisation no longer provides them opportunities to grow. By feeling valued for their efforts to expand a business and receiving the promotion they deserve, a millennial is more likely to stay interested.
While organisations must ensure they provide opportunities to keep millennials motivated and engaged, it doesn’t always have to be an employer’s initiative. If you are a working millennial feeling under-challenged, be bold and request to be sent for workshops to further refine skills that will provide your organisation with a competitive edge whilst feeding your desire for professional growth. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Millennials Are Self-starters
Another beauty of millennials is their ability to reinvent a cookie-cutter method of doing things. Why? Because they do not settle for just ‘good’ when there is an opportunity to be ‘great’! Most millennials are also competitive and know not to follow the status quo in order to thrive. They are constantly working their creative juices to churn out unconventional ideas.
A 2017 HSBC Private Banking report, Essence of Enterprise, revealed that 49 percent of Singaporean millennial entrepreneurs do not come from family businesses, and only 8 percent stated that their wealth came from inheritance or family wealth. Compared to international millennials, Singaporean millennials are far more self-reliant.
So highly independent and self-starting working millennials we have. And if you are one of them, don’t wait to share your innovative ideas that may get you ten steps ahead of your competitors! The world is your stage, and there are no limits to your creative freedom.
Conclusion
Millennials have a lot more to bring to the table when given a chance. They have grit, know their goals, and will do what it takes to achieve them. If your organisation does not take care of you, someone else will, and they can count that you will bloom where you are planted.
While it is no secret that the current working population is infiltrated by masses of millennials, the next-gen of Z-ers, with their own unique traits shaped by the world’s circumstances, is upcoming to take the workplace by storm (again).
At the end of the day, the millennials’ generation or not, the workplace culture must adapt and remain as open as possible to allow open discussions with employees on job satisfaction, career growth, and professional development opportunities.
References:
https://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/06/us/baby-boomer-generation- fast-facts/index.html
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/cnainsider/how-singapore- sees-its-millennials-regardless-of-generation-gap-12003764
https://www.synthesio.com/blog/top-insights-singapore-millennials/
https://www.about.hsbc.com.sg/news-and-media/singaporean-millennial-business-owners-have-courage-and-heart
https://hbr.org/2016/04/what-do-millennials-really-want-at-work