Generation Y, Net Generation, and Millennial all refer to anyone who reached adulthood around the turn of the 21st century. As a Millennial, we get heat from generations older than us, for multiple different reasons. Some justified, others not. Most of the time, I would like to think they aren’t justified. Some of the reasons to apply to people born at this time frame, but often times as Millennials we are grouped into a generation that allegedly is lazy, relies too much on social media, and is over-confident.
Recently I came across the above video on Facebook (of course, because as a Millennial I rely on Facebook for everything, right?). It is a Millennial girl who evaluated what she believed to be “wrong” with our generation. There are several points that she brings up that put down Millennials. As a fellow Millennial, I would like to share some things that I find in our generation to be outstanding.
Our generation is more open-minded than generations that have come before us. We are one of the most diverse generations ever. I have met people throughout my lifetime that are so open about who they are as a person, and their struggles through life, and those are the people who have taught me so much. Before our generation it wasn’t as accepted to talk about being transgender, gay, lesbian, mentally ill, underprivileged or anything else that strays from the norm, and sets them apart from other people. Diversity and being open-minded are two of my favorite things about being a millennial, because it provides so many more opportunities.
Technology. Net Generation, is one name we have really earned. Millennials are considered the most technologically inclined generation. Some may say this is something that is wrong with our generation, because we base friendships off of number of likes, or post selfies. But think about the other side of being technologically inclined, there have been so many advancements throughout our lifetimes. We have the ability to know what is going on across the world within seconds. I get the opportunity to watch my nieces and nephews grow up from two hours away, while I am a full time student. I’d say that’s pretty amazing.
Over-confident, is how a lot of people describe Millennials. This predisposition leads people to believe we are narcissistic and entitled. That we aren’t willing to work for things, and we just want them handed to us. I don’t speak for every Millennial but all throughout my years in school I was always taught that in order to succeed you have to work hard. Some people may say we are “over-confident” but in my opinion we were given tools when we were younger, such as the internet, where we have access to almost any information we need, and this creates confidence in our knowledge. Optimism is also a benefit for us in the work place, it just means we have higher hopes.
Although I love being a Millennial, and I love growing up in the time I do, this doesn’t mean there isn’t problems with every generation. Regardless of the generation you belong to, change is going to continue to happen over time. Generation Y has changed from Generation X, and the Baby-Boomers Generation, and the generation after us will continue to change as well. But this doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with change.
