This week at work, we had someone quit out of the blue. No warning, no two weeks notice, nothing. Just walk in and say, today is my last day. This triggered a lot of frustration in the office. People had to cover his job which then forced others to cover the people who were covering for the man who just quit. It was a vicious cycle.
This cycle led to a conversation among us in the office about how I (the only one under 35 in the office) should not grow up to be like every other millennial. I sat there with a slightly offended and perplexed look on face as they threw out the disclaimer “but we’re not saying you’re just like all the others ones, but don’t turn into them.” Hmmm…
As the conversation continued, I realized how much negativity, assumption, and blame is aimed at my generation from older generations. Honestly, it was mind blowing. I knew older generations looked poorly on us millennials and sometimes we do deserve those poor judgments. However, I will correct you, no matter how old or which generation you are from if you are wrong. Just because I am labeled a millennial does not mean I fit the mold of millennials.
Just because I am a millennial does not give you the right to…
1. Assume that I don't work hard.
Based on the conversation I mostly listened to today at work, one of the conclusions was that everyone in my generation doesn't know what hard work is. I was quick to inform them that from a young age my sister and I had to work for everything we got. Yes, our parents provided ways for us to earn money before we were old enough to get jobs but as soon as we came of age, we got jobs. If we wanted to do something fun like shopping, go to the movies, go skating, get ice-cream, we couldn't just assume our parents would hand over $20. We had to work our butts off for a week or two to earn 10 dollars. For example, I have bought every car I have ever owned. I bought my first car when I was 16, as soon as I got my license. As soon as I was able to drive I got a real job. I went to school, played sports, and went to work for 20 hrs a week. Because of this, I learned the value and reward of hard work. I understand that other generations didn't have the luxury of doing chores around the house for 25 cents here and a dollar there or waiting until they are 16 to get a job, but the cool thing is that the world is ever-changing. Just because that's how it was when you were younger doesn't mean that the way things happen now is wrong. We both learned what hard work meant, just from different ways.
2. Assume that I'm an entitled brat.
.en·ti·tled
adjective
- believing oneself to be inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. "His pompous, entitled attitude."
Now, this one is a little tricky because I do believe that there are many, many millennials that have had WAY to much just handed to them by their parents, teachers and bosses. However, not all of us millennials were coddled as a child. Some of us understand we get what we work for. Some of us understand that life isn't easy, nor should it be. Some of us didn't grow up receiving participation ribbons even though we came in dead last. We're not all entitled brats. So today when I heard my co-works basically chunk me in with that group, I was offended. Not just because that's not who I am but because they are so blinded by their assumptions that can't even see when us millennials are breaking the mold.
3. Assume that all I want is money.
Many, many adults older than myself have told me how my generation only works to spend money. They tell me we do the bare minimum to get by just so we can have fun. I'm here to tell those adults who believe that, that we don't work to earn money just to spend. We work to live. I work so I can go to school and get a degree. I work so I can pay my rent and utilities. I work so I can take care of my pets and with feed myself. I DO NOT work so I can afford to party on the weekends. I DO NOT work just so I can buy myself fancy things I don't need. Some of us millennials who work hard to earn our money, we understand the value of the dollar.
There are many more things that adults from other generations assume about us millennials, these are simply the three I heard today from my co-workers. I'm here to tell you that we don't all fit the mold of your closed minded assumptions. And I hope that one day, we will be able to prove you wrong.
Sincerely,
A Hard Working Millennial
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