Generation Millennial (those born in the period 1976-2000, also often cited in other studies as those born between 1980-2002) females are stronger and more confident than the generation X working females as they step into the workforce this century. As would be expected of any new generation to be smarter and more efficient than the previous one!
This new generation in the workforce would be the one of risk-takers and also those who enjoy working for what they believe in and they are the ones who are not in a job only for the money. A larger percentage of this generation has grown up in affluence as never before experienced by the previous generations. They have more direction and more access to information than ever before. All these factors influence their career direction.
- But what are their expectations as they step fresh in the job market?
- Are they willing to build a life around their career or more interested in having a career around their lives?
- Will life-work balance issues be of lesser importance to them as compared to the present working career woman (a generation Xer or of baby boomer generation)?
Perhaps the perception of the work place for the new generation male or female is that of a “get-it-all” environment. They have had less interference at home and their schedules as compared to previous generations, they are more fearless than ever before, but would that mean that retaining them would be a problem for most employers? Will they be aggressive enough to struggle through the corporate ladder or would they be the take-it-easy generation at work?
According to a survey published in the Lifetime News Release, some very interesting statistics came to light on the Gen Y female work aspirations:
Gen Y Women Want and Will Work Hard for Promotion, but They Don’t Want It to Take Long
- 69% of women surveyed said that they are willing to sacrifice to reach the top of their field.
- Gen Y women have no qualms about leaving a job for something better or different. 67% said that they expect to stay in their current job for five years or less (18% less than one year, 26% one-two years, 23% three-five years).
- Half expect to be promoted in two years or less. Ultimate Career Goals Focus on Control and Flexibility.
- When asked their ultimate career goals, Gen Y’s two most stated goals were starting their own businesses and being considered one of the top people in their field. (30% and 29% respectively). Another 23% said that achieving flexibility with respect to where and when they work was the top goal.
- Young women already in the workforce more than five years were much more apt to want to start their own businesses (34% vs. 22%).
- Entrepreneurship is also a bigger goal for African-American women – 43% defined their ultimate goal as starting their own business vs. 25% of Caucasians and 27% of Latinas.
Since they are now in the workforce or the new graduate force every year from now ready to do so, we shall soon see the new trends at workplace. The work culture has to change and evolve to help them adjust and also to retain this new workforce. Call it the Generation Y, Generation Next or Generation Millennial, they are the ones who will make a tremendous impact in shaping the 21st century as it is now and as it will be in future.