Bentley University’s Millennial Preparedness research study raised a number of issues about millennials in the workplace. In the coming weeks, PreparedU, in a series entitled Generational Voices, will present opinions from millennials and non-millennials alike on a wide variety of these issues. These views may contrast or coincide, but each will provide perspective designed to enhance insights resulting from the PreparedU data.

The Millennial Point of View

Meredith Mason, News and Communications Coordinator, Bentley University

Contrary to what many people believe, I think millennials are prepared, and they’re also very driven to learn more in order to succeed.

Part of this stems from the economy. Millennials know how hard it is to get a good job today, so they’re preparing as well — and as hard — as they can. 

Technology is one area where millennials are especially well prepared. We grew up as digital natives, and we have lots of confidence in our ability to use technology.

Still, many millennials feel intimidated, or experience self-doubt, once they’re hired.

But I think we’re actually more prepared for the work world than we give ourselves credit for. Part of this is a result of having had internships and a variety of pre-professional work-related experiences outside the classroom.

As prepared as we are, though, we still need to acquire certain skills to do the job.

For example, we need to be able to reach out and ask for help or explanation. This kind of formal communication is sometimes difficult for us because we’ve been texting for so long that face-to-face dialogue with supervisors can sometimes be a little bit awkward. We need to prepare better for this.

The Baby Boomer Point of View

Charlie Shaw, Executive Producer, Outthink

I’m in the digital communications business, and I find the millennials I work with to be pretty focused and fluent, as well as on job and on topic. They’re serious and not lackadaisical.

This comes from good overall preparation.

I also like the specific technology preparation the millennials have had, because it allows them to manipulate words, images and websites thoughtfully and creatively. It’s helped them to gather and provide good information and research, too.

Many of the millennials we’ve had for three to five years in our company have come to us prepared to dig in and stay on a project over a long period of time. This is invaluable in a creative industry like ours. When you stick with something and build on the preparation you have, you learn a lot more and can become really successful.

But as prepared as the millennials are, they still need on-the-job training. The problem is that we’re so busy and so high energy that it’s tough to find the time to build on the fairly solid preparation they’ve brought to us with additional teaching and mentoring.