Starting Work
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Ambitious Millennials, No Really!
April 01, 2009
Over the past several years, the Millennial generation has developed the reputation of being a “bunch of slackers.” It’s a notion that I have strongly argued against. In my own experience, many Millennials are extremely goal-oriented, and in fact, from the time they were quite young, members of this generation have been encouraged to build their resumes. Now, it looks like some scientific data is emerging indicating that the Millennial generation is much more ambitious than many previously thought. Significantly, Millennial women appear to be just as ambitious as their Millennial male counterparts.
In “New Workplace Equalizer: Ambition,” Wall Street Journal (03/26/09, page D5) reporter Sue Shellenbarger writes, “Based on a unique long-term study of attitudes in the U.S. workforce, about two-thirds of both men and women under age 29 say they desire more responsibility on the job. Having children doesn’t dent the ambition of young women workers; 69% of mothers in this age group say they want to move up on the job, compared with 66% of women without children . . ..”
Shellenberger notes that the referenced study was unusually rigorous in its examination of workplace and work-life issues. Interestingly, it suggests that work-life balance issues have significantly increased among men. According to Shellenberger, “While 34% of both men and women reported work-life conflicts in 1977, the percentage has risen by 11 percentage points to 45%, among men, compared with a rise of only five points among women to 39%.”
If you happen to Google the Wall Street Journal article, take a few moments to also find “How to impress your boss & save your job,” New York Post, (03/26/09, page 34). Columnist John Crudele reports on four job-saving recommendations from one executive coach, two of which I think are worth noting: 1) Pace your boss. Keep the same hours that your boss does. Demonstrate that you share the same work ethic; and 2) Over-communicate. Keep your boss well apprised of what you are currently working on and update him or her every single day.
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