Millennials are more than what meets the eye

Fabienne Fleurantin/ Staff Writer

Lazy, self-absorbed, entitled and impatient.

These are just some of the many titles millennials are given by older generations. The list is infinite, but these words are simply not true.

“A lot of studies show that they (millennials) are not really that different from generations before in what they want for their lives — they just have a different background,” said Andrew Challenger, a vice president at Challenger, Gray & Christmas told CNBC.

We do a lot more than just take selfies and whine all day. We have goals and various avenues we want to pursue. We just have a different way of doing it.

“Millennials are hungrier and more well-educated than any generation in history, and they understand technology,” said Challenger to CNBC. “They are knocking at the door of people sitting in comfy positions and that’s where the negativity comes from — a real place of insecurity.”

Joseph Kevin Adou, a graduate student studying for his Master’s in global affairs, agrees with the fact that the Baby Boomer generation has not given millennials enough credit for who they are and how they go about things.

“The Baby Boomer generation that is still at the top of the field don’t want to or are not ready to give us a chance due to this thought. How do you want us to prove ourselves if they are not willing to give that opportunity?” Adou said. “This is one reason why millennials are driven by the idea of entrepreneurship, but still none of them know how to start.”

Krisma King, a senior majoring in psychology, agrees with Adou’s sentiments.

“I feel offended that other generations think we are lazy,” King said. “People treat millennials like they’re overly sensitive, angry at the world and lazy when millennials are making milestones they could only dream of.”

I couldn’t agree more. I get peeved at the fact that people love to call our generation social media fiends, unwilling to do much, or just really snobby. They are simply putting a generalization on a whole group of young adults that they’ve not gotten the chance to know.

We are more than what we do, just as every human being is. We should not be defined by something that has become part of the world and everyday life.

Technology has taken over and we happen to be in the middle of its growth. Instead of resenting and denying it, we embraced it and molded it into a plethora of possibilities.

I do not consider myself a lazy person. I am far from lazy; more like exhausted from all of my involvements. I am a full-time student with two jobs, an internship and belong to six honor societies. If someone says that to me, they better think again.

 

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The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of Panther Press Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

 

Photo taken from Flickr.