Millennial Speak

Sunnie Schuster, 28
Front desk clerk/office agent, Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay | Tampa

Do you resent the sometimes negative view people have of your generation? Is it accurate or misguided?
My generation has grown into adulthood viewed as something totally different than the generation before us. As a whole, we are the ones who have tattoos and piercings. We are also spontaneous and adventuresome. We make short-term decisions and can text while doing pretty much anything.

I would not resent the sometimes negative view society has on my generation, as I view my generation as self-expressive. We are open to change, and upbeat and we are quickly taking over our parents' generation in the career field. We can accomplish anything in our every day lives with our iced coffee in one hand and our smartphone in the other. 

What's important to you when choosing a place to live? (Neighborhood, house or condo, etc.)
Home for us is the key for a successful and happy life. This is where we prop up our feet and enjoy a glass of wine, while watching Netflix or Hulu. I live in a house in a residential neighborhood with my best friend. I think a lot of us are still very open to having roommates, whether it's to cut costs or to have someone around at all times. I have a lot of friends who choose to live in condos or apartments because of the simplicity. They like how they are all inclusive, and love to have a pool or gym within walking distance.

What advice do you have for employers on how to be a great place for millennials to work? What are the elements that make up a fulfilling job for you?
I think employers should know that we as 20-somethings are very technologically inclined. They should be aware that we communicate via text and should not reprimand us for doing so. I think we as a whole are taught at a very young age to multitask.

I think a fulfilling job for me includes being able to take small breaks throughout the day, rather than one break at a certain time. I personally thrive in an environment that is fast paced and think I am able to do my best work under pressure. 

Zach Katkin, 31
CEO and co-founder of Web design firm Atilus | Bonita Springs

Do you resent the sometimes negative view people have of your generation? Is it accurate or misguided?
On the whole I'd say in our limited experience at Atilus, the conceptions I've heard about — lack of work ethic, flighty (bouncing from job to job), and a sense of entitlement to be extremely accurate, unfortunately.

We have and are struggling with these issues, and although we're in a high-tech industry, we're a fairly old-school service company with margins that don't allow us to have super fancy offices and an on-staff chef, which makes attracting technology savvy prospects with dreams of Google-like work environments somewhat difficult. Although I don't think all millennials fit into this category, I'd say it's been a big problem for us in particular and we can definitely see.

What defines success for your generation? What are the biggest obstacles to getting there?
I don't think it's a money issue. It's more about feeling like you're a part of something, feeling good (hence bouncing around when things get hard, money is tight, etc.). In talking with some other generations about this, I know there's this idea we have (or are striving for) more of a work-life-balance and free time.

For me success is freedom. One of my favorite quotes has always been from Bob Dylan: “A man is a success if he wakes up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants.” Ironically, I wake up and feel like I work for our employees, and clients, and sometimes our partners. But it is fun, exciting and makes me happy on the whole.  

What's important to you when choosing a place to live? (neighborhood, house or condo, etc.)
I'm old school - affordability. Can I afford to live, and have a little left over for savings and occasionally some splurges? After that the neighborhood, proximity to amenities (I prefer more general ones, rather than a gated community.)

Brandon Taaffe, 26
Attorney, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick | Sarasota

What defines success for your generation? What are the biggest obstacles to getting there?
Success for me would be working hard, achieving my goals and providing for a family someday. Clearly there are obstacles along the way, however I tend to have an optimistic outlook on the future and don't know of any insurmountable obstacles to achieving success.  

What's important to you when choosing a place to live? (Neighborhood, house or condo, etc.)
It has been very important for me to be close to downtown and the Sarasota waterfront. I spend most of my free time on the water and I enjoy working downtown and living close to my workplace.

What advice do you have for employers on how to be a great place for millennials to work? What are the elements that make up a fulfilling job for you?
Support millennials in living active, healthy and balanced lives. One example in my workplace that has been great has been having a shower. I have been surfing at Lido Beach or standup paddle boarding from Bird Key Park most mornings before work. It has been great for me to get up, be active, show up to work to shower and change into a suit and tie. That type of support for living an active lifestyle has been very important to me. It's small things like having a shower that can and do have a huge positive impact on millennials' workdays and their ability to balance having an active and healthy life with work. 

In my field being given both responsibility and mentorship have made my job fulfilling. I have a lot to learn, but I am also trusted to handle important matters on a regular basis. When I don't know how to do something or don't have experience in a certain area, I have been very fortunate to have great mentors who will take the time to teach or explain things to me.

Kayla Richmond, 28
Associate, Henderson Franklin law firm | Fort Myers

Do you resent the sometimes negative view people have of your generation? Is it accurate or misguided?
Yes, as would any generation — the thought that simply because you are a millennial you are believed to be a certain way is misguided. It depends on the individual and my age shouldn't influence that. 

What defines success for your generation? What are the biggest obstacles to getting there?
I think a stereotypical millennial defines success as being fulfilled in their career, instantaneously. Gratification and satisfaction from a job, being liked by their peers and given opportunities and benefits are also sought.

My personal definition would be financial security, not having any debt. I believe the biggest obstacle for millennials is that they aren't patient to achieve their goals. They don't believe in putting in hard working years and struggling in a position they might not enjoy to see what will pay off. I think the older generation's perception of this, that millennials want the “next best thing” and “bigger and better” is an obstacle. 

What's important to you when choosing a place to live? (Neighborhood, house or condo, etc.)
Other young professionals, networking events and the ability to join organizations are important. I also look at the expense. I want my dollars earned to go far. Safety of a neighborhood is more important to me than the type of structure.

What advice do you have for employers on how to be a great place for millennials to work? What are the elements that make up a fulfilling job for you?
Give millennials tasks that give them autonomy. I want to feel like I'm going to work and making a difference during the hours that I'm there or on the projects I'm working on. It is fulfilling to know what you're working on has a purpose and will make a footprint, somewhere. It is not about structured work hours or dress codes for millennials, but more about getting things done outside traditional guidelines. 

James Martinez, 27
Commercial employee benefits consultant, Lassiter-Ware | Tampa

Do you resent the sometimes negative view people have of your generation? Is it accurate or misguided?
I recently defended my generation from an anonymous commenter on a business post. I do sometimes resent the occasional negative view people have of our generation because overall, it is stereotyping.

Sure, there are some overarching truths about many millennials, but often times we are unfairly viewed in a way that is either detrimental, or just plain wrong. The one adjective that frustrates me most is “entitled.” Many of the new age, high powered and high paying jobs (think tech sector) are held by millennials. By entitled, I wonder if it is meant that we work hard, have unique skill sets and believe we should be compensated and promoted appropriately based on merit, not age — and have the confidence to voice those beliefs.

What's important to you when choosing a place to live? (neighborhood, house or condo, etc.)
Cost is number one. With rents significantly rising and me still having somewhat of a fear of home ownership, the first criteria is not being house poor. By house poor I mean spending over 20% of my monthly income on rent. From there, I like walkability, safety and convenience. Living with my girlfriend currently in a one-bedroom, we frankly don't need much space.

What advice do you have for employers on how to be a great place for millennials to work? What are the elements that make up a fulfilling job for you?
Personally, culture is No. 1 for me. If the office is a sad, melancholy place on Monday, I want nothing to do with it.

I understand that work is work, and not really meant to be fun, but it shouldn't be miserable, either. You spend more time with the people you work with than your direct family. At least enjoy one another. Second would be ability to consistently learn and be trained and then an understanding of how an individual can grow with the company.

Caitlin Moore, 27
Senior Community Manager, NetWeave Social Networking | Bradenton

Do you resent the sometimes negative view people have of your generation? Is it accurate or misguided?
Completely misguided. I think they're thinking of us when we were 13 without real responsibilities and a then-new global soapbox called the Internet.

What defines success for your generation? What are the biggest obstacles to getting there?
Success would be getting ourselves out of financial debt — typically caused by student loans. A lot of us don't feel like we've had a great opportunity to better our situations due to this debt — and to the disproportionate, yet widely accepted rates of entry-level incomes in consideration of this debt. 
 
What advice do you have for employers on how to be a great place for millennials to work? What are the elements that make up a fulfilling job for you?
Be patient. Remember: we're still learning and the American education system tends to leave a lot of gaps when it comes to office protocol, email etiquette, etc. Sometimes we will ask obvious questions, sometimes we will get stressed over little things. If we don't have answers or guidance to these questions, we won't deliver a satisfactory product, even if we are fully capable of doing so.

Yes, this may occasionally include how to work the copy machine. Don't worry — we're usually nice enough to return the favor and show you how to use your new gadget. 
 
What inspires you, in life and work? 
I'm inspired by positive collaboration in life and the workplace that aims to encourage everyone to work as a community. I'm deeply inspired by a communities' acceptance of diversity in all aspects of the word. I'm dedicated to assisting in the prevention of environmental damage and to the reversal of damages already done.