You are young, you are inexperienced, and you are still learning - but that does not mean your opinion doesn't matter.

Being a young professional working your way through college is hard. You're seen as an adult because you live on your own and pay bills, but somehow nobody takes you seriously yet. The stigma of being a "millennial" haunts you in your school and work life. Older professors and bosses seem to think you're glued to your phone, but are unhappy if you didn't respond to their email within the hour.

The one thing I hate most about being young in my career is the constant doubt of others. I used to not give my opinion, especially if I was new somewhere, but now my thinking has changed. When you walk into a new job or position, the first thing you should think about is: how can I make this work more efficiently? Is there something I can fix to make this run smoother?

The first step to answering that question is to observe the habits of others. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes is all a company needs to fix their internal problems. Don't be afraid to give your opinions, as long as they're educated and you can back them up with evidence. Don't let your title of "summer intern" or "entry-level" whatever stop you from giving your input.

Nobody is a top-level executive on their first try. Those positions that you want in life have been told no or have been disregarded many times. If those higher-ups of the company let criticism, their age, or their title stop them, they wouldn't be where they are now.

Do not let people patronize you. Do not let people tell you your worth. Do not let people decide that your age, gender, religion, or sexual orientation will decide your actions. Stand up for what you believe in. And above all, realize that only you are able to decide your future.