We've all seen and heard the judgement that has been casted on the millennial generation. I hear about it on a weekly basis, sometimes. Things like “The younger generation is too entitled; they think the world should be handed to them” or “When I was growing up, we had to work for what we had.” Being a part of the millennial generation has taught me a few things, but the main thing its taught me is that I am more than just another stereotype. Sure, there are people who fit right into that stereotype, but there are more people who I know that don't. We are hard working, we are on track to be the most educated generation in American history, and we are living in the shadows of a generation who think we are to blame for the world's problems.

Millennial ages range from 18-35 yrs old. So, we grew up in a time where technology was advancing faster than anyone could imagine and in a time where we have the world at our finger tips. However, that doesn't mean everyone in my generation is obsessed with technology; it's just a way of life for us. Here's the deal though, just because technology makes our lives a little bit easier doesn't mean we don't work just as hard as the generations before us. We have to make a place in this world, just like anyone else. Education is another thing we have going for us, but it is also one of our biggest downfalls. Without a college degree, it seems like we can't find careers that will sustain us financially. Not only do we have to have a degree to make good money, we have to pay enormous amounts of money to go to college. In 1971, tuition at Harvard University cost $2,600. Today, annual tuition at Harvard is $45,278, not including room and board. Inflation is absolutely killing us financially, when it comes to higher education. The generation before us learned trades, and jobs didn't require a college degree like they do now.

The entitlement that we apparently need is based off of a select few. I was raised with the mindset that if I work hard I will have the things in life I want. I know that the world isn't going to hand me a huge house with a white picket fence. There are people who are starting out in their careers with thousands of dollars in student loans and then trying to find a career to compensate the debt they owe. It's hard to get ahead when companies want to offer college graduates an unpaid internship instead of an actual job. The economy we are are living in was one that we had no control over, considering the fact we were in elementary school when it started to decline. My generation is doing everything we can to live a good life, and it's quite frankly ridiculous that anyone turns that into something negative.

Not to mention, we have a completely different mindset about almost everything than past generations. As we've grown we have learned to think for ourselves and create our own opinions about the world around us. If that makes us a bad, then how do you expect us to be contributing citizens of this country? Diversity is what this country is best known for, and that's what millennials bring to the table.

I hear that my generation is rude, disrespectful, and immature. If you ask me, isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? If a millennial is rude or disrespectful to our elders, it's because they were raised in a home with no respect. I have seen so many millennials rise above everything that is working against them to create a better future for themselves. Are we selfish to want a good education and a good life? No, we aren't.

I know that it's all about understanding, and it's about a generation gap that is so large we can't see eye to eye. We respect the fact you made a way for us, and you birthed us, but just sit back and see how hard we are working. This is the future generation of America. We are learning as we go, and we shouldn't be punished for that. My generation is more than what you think we are by a long shot.