There’s no doubt the generation that comprises millennials is unlike any generation encountered in the past. Including people born from the early 1980s through the mid 1990s, millennials are unique in numerous aspects, ranging from the technology available during childhood and today, the relationship with parents, economic and educational prospects, and overall culture. Generation Z, also known as the post-millennial generation or the iGeneration, is equally as unique, and as these young adults transition into adulthood, there are numerous questions about what the future will look like.
But while millennial and generation Z culture may be something that those of other generations are neither able to relate to nor understand, when it comes to the workforce, what young adults want from their careers may more closely resemble the desires of other generations than one would think.
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What Young Adults Want in Their Careers – The Similarities and Differences
Young adults today want very different things in their career from what past generations wanted. The reason? Mostly technology and opportunity. For example, working remotely was hardly an option for generations past. But, with the proliferation of wi-fi, many jobs are easy to perform from anywhere in the world.
When polled, young people are also much more likely than older Americans to say that a top priority in finding a new job is that the job is enjoyable. Bonus if it provides the individual with a feeling of “making a difference.” Older Americans, on the other hand, are likely to prioritize salary.
But there are also a lot of similarities between what younger and older generations want in a career, too.
Benefits and Employer-Employee Loyalty as a Priority
Just like older Americans, about one-third of millennials say that they want benefits from employers that align with their lifestyle and values. This includes things such as tuition reimbursement and 529 college savings plans. All three generations who were asked in one survey (generation X, baby boomers, and millennials) say that vacation time, a matching 401(k) plan, and healthcare were “must-have” benefits.
Young people also tend to jump from job-to-job with ease. However, when asked, a large percentage of millennials state that being loyal to their employer is important. But it’s not just about an employee being loyal to an employer that’s important; but also the employer being loyal to the employee. Young people today don’t want to position themselves as just another number or company asset.
Job Security and Family
Perhaps the thing that young people and those of older generations have most in common: their desire for job security. What’s more, young people and older people seem to agree about which industries they think will offer the most job security in the coming years – energy production, tech, and healthcare. To meet the demand, many young people agree that updating skills and returning to school for more education is smart.
Millennials are having children at a much slower rate than did older generations. The number of women giving birth in the United States has been declining for years, and recently hit a historic low. But while young people may be having fewer children than did previous generations, those who do have children are still searching for a career that, and employer who, cares about their ability to provide for their family (millennials are also reaching the age where aging parents may begin to need care).
Yes, maternity leave and paid time off to care for family is important. However, other benefits – like paternity leave and more flexible work schedules (goodbye 9-5!) – are something younger generations value. Employers who offer these more modern benefits are often more attractive to millennials and those in generation Z.
Technology and Cultures Change, People Don’t
It is true that technology and culture have advanced significantly in the past decades. But what people ultimately want from a career – including employer loyalty, job security, benefits, and the ability to care for one’s family while also working – hasn’t changed much. This highlights that human needs and desires may transcend in what year one is born.
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