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Despite being frequently stereotyped as spoiled and possessing a sense of entitlement, the majority of Millennials believe it takes hard work to get ahead, according to University of California, Berkeley survey results published in The Baby Boom Americans Born 1946 to 1964.
As a whole, two-thirds of Americans believe hard work, rather than luck, gets you ahead in life and business. But, even more Millennials than Boomers believe in hard work, rather than luck, 70 percent versus 63 percent. Similarly, 71 percent of Gen X believes in hard work to get ahead.
This information certainly does not correlate with the recognized attributes of Generation Y, known as the Trophy Generation for growing up on sports teams where everyone got a trophy, win or lose. Instead, this statistic implies Generation Y maybe learned a thing or two from their hard-working Boomer parents. They are ready to dig in and roll up their sleeves as necessary.
Bottom line, more Gen Y’ers than you may think are ready and more than willing to work hard to get where they want to be. There ultimately is not that big of a difference in fundamental work ethic and value of work between Generation Y and Boomer (or between Millennials and X’ers for that matter). Gen Y just tends to be more selective in what capacities they expend hard work.
The real difference is the end result. The Gen Y view of the American dream is not necessarily the typical Boomer aspirations of a big house with a white picket fence and climbing the corporate ladder. Rather, Generation Y’s definition of success is more of working hard while maintaining a favorable work-life balance (i.e. work hard AND play hard).
Note: A big thank you to Kathy Mills of Factix Research for passing along statistical information.
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Comments
01.25.10
Great post Sharalyn. I'm pumped that not only is someone standing up and defending the fact that we are willing to work hard but also bringing the stats to back it up. I'm excited to check out the survey results from UC-Berkeley. Keep up the good work. We all have to go and prove the critics wrong by putting our heads down, working hard, and delivering value.
01.25.10
Sharalyn,
This is great, and I think the key takeaway is your last paragraph on the end result. Millennials are ready and willing to put in plenty of hard work for the goals that will fulfill us personally and professionally. We just aren't fans of "paying our dues" by doing mindless work that doesn't challenge and inspire us.
Thanks for posting!
01.25.10
As always, on point with your analysis!
I think Generation Y has higher expectations of what they deserve, but also higher expectations of what work it takes to get there. I see lots of us willing to work our butts of in exchange for a generous exchange of work/life balance and/or other benefits.
Let's not back off of this!
01.25.10
@JR I think people (Gen Y'ers included) just have to understand how to channel that willingness to work hard. Find the right avenue and there is literally no stopping us. And I agree with you whole-heartedly, there may be a bigger expectation of what is deserved, but I don't think many are under the impression that will come easily.
@Emily Sometimes we have to just "pay our dues" with mindless stuff, but I think most Millennials will muscle their way through it if there is a clear vision of how it will get them closer to what they want or know how those menial tasks impact the bigger picture. Thanks for the feedback!
@Seth Thanks, and I say the same to you. We need to chat! :)
01.25.10
I know that there are Gen Y'ers who feel entitled, but I didn't grow up around many. I grew up around over-scheduled over-achievers who had way more going on in their lives than parents ever expected. The distinction I've noticed is that when you do work hard, it should be like a mathematical equation:
Hard work + Time = Reward
Sure, some may thing they deserve more reward, but we're finding the opposite is true (for everyone, not just Gen-Y). People work hard for years and get laid off, you over-perform and get a pay cut with your next promotion, you hear that you should be grateful for opportunity. I think Business Week said our generation will make 15% less in their lifetime because of the recession. They will work hard and the reward may never amount to what they hope. I think the lesson is if you are an organization in a position to utilize those who work hard, find a way to reward them. You may not be able to give tons of raises, but there could be other benefits you overlook that will keep your employee committed and engaged.
Thanks Sharalyn!
01.25.10
@Emily I completely agree! I mean absolutely no disrespect to the generations before me, but I'm just not interested in mindless work that doesn't challenge me. I have a unique background and experiences and have worked hard to build a certain set of skills that my more tenured colleagues just don't have.
My frustration comes from others unwillingness to take a different perspective and open up to something ideas.
Am I going to continue to pay my dues? Heck yeah! I understand with work, dedication and passion, my dreams and aspirations are progressively becoming a reality.
01.25.10
Sharalyn & Tyler - Completely agreed! Although we may not like to pay our dues, I think we all understand that it's a necessity. :)
02.01.10
Perfect!
02.04.10
Some Milleniels will work hard, but a significant minority are a lot like this person: http://www.brazencareerist.com/2009/09/26/society-s-expectations
As far as "paying your dues", I've summarized my thoughts on it here:
http://www.brazencareerist.com/2010/01/07/entry-level-jobs-make-generati...
04.08.10
I think there is confusion on what many mean when they say Gen-Y thinks they are entitled.
I think Gen-Y thinks they work hard, and I think they do as well (for the most part JRandom's example aside -- I don't work with any 20ty something’s like that), but working hard has nothing to do why I think Gen-Y feel entitled.
I am a DBA (Database Administrator) by trade and a senior engineer at my place of employment. I have been working in my trade for over 20ty years now. The Gen-Ys in my area are continually disappointed when they get in a HR review and ask when can they can get promoted, they say things like "I have been a junior for a year now and want to move up the food chain. What will take to become an intermediate ? “
They act like they should get raises and promotions every 8 - 12 months. I was a junior DBA for 5 years, and intermediate for 10 more, and have enjoyed the distinction of Senior for the last 6 of my career.
When I explain my career timeline to them, I get reactions ranging from "your kidding", to "I did not go to school and work so hard to have to wait 5 more years for a promotion?!?!"
To me that screams entitlement. Gen-Ys in my work place feel and act like they are entitled to get promoted… dues don’t matter anymore… once THEY feel THEY are ready, we all should feel the same way about them, or they act like we just don’t understand the value they bring to the table.
04.08.10
I would love to do DBA work, but I have not had a chance to get even entry level work.
In terms of promotion, I would like a chance to prove myself before feeling like a company owes me something.
Shoot, no one owes anyone anything. The kids you work with should be grateful they are learning from someone with experience, and value that.
I talked to my VP and asked him about helping in his department with any project that needed extra man power (after our current process are streamlined), that I do not care about money or title, I just want to get more involved and learn about everything.
Kids do not value learning from the people that have been doing the work for 20 years.
I love the fact my supervisors can get me an answer immediately on anything work related.
The hardest pill to swallow is admitting you know very little, and just talking with everyone you meet.
I am working with someone next week to improve on reporting, (hate to use the term, but) a mentor and he has been working here for 12 years. He told me to just keep plugging away, and things do work out. Not everyday is great, but I enjoy everyone I work with.
Your young hires need to learn humility. College taught me how to learn, and now I have to spend the rest of my time learning and sharing what I have learned with everyone else.
12.07.10
Sharalyn,
I do agree with you that baby boomers have a lot to expect from hard work which is very true. Success in life can never be achieved laying down but with hard work and more hard work and the passion in what we do. I am not in the Y generation but I abide by this principle :)
Regards,
Ewok of Haunted House Ontario - Graphic Artist
01.14.11
Thoughtful article. I actually believe in smart work rather than hard work or luck. Knowing your subject, the aims and expected achievements are all basic frameworks for smart professionals.
Regards,
Alec
Shelfsave
01.18.11
Wow! what an idea ! What a concept ! Beautiful
My blogs: how to finger a girl | acer laptop prices
01.23.11
Regardless of generation, hard work is the basis for success, regardless of lifestyle choice. Relationships, spirituality and professional aspects to life require learning and discipline.
Regards,
Kathy
Printer Cartridges
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