Ten Things to Know About the Millennials

Every generation is uniquely fashioned by the environment and events they grew up in. Today’s young generation, who are called “millennials,” is growing up in a fast-paced, technology- and Internet-driven environment. Such an environment has affected the way they think, feel, and behave. Who are the millennials, and how do we understand them?

The CSA – Office of Student Mentoring, Guidance and Counseling, in collaboration with the Human Resource Management Office, organized a talk that aimed to help professors, mentors, and staff deal with our students, who can be described as millennials.

The talk was given by Dr. Liane Alampay^[1] on October 12, 2016. Her talk, “Making Sense of the Millennials,” discussed the characteristics of the millennials, and suggested ways to manage them effectively. Below are information culled from this talk.

1. They were born between 1980 and 1995.

The millennials by now are around 22-37 years old. They grew up knowing what Windows is, and how to maneuver the World Wide Web. They are tech-savvy, and have no difficulties in learning how new technology works. By now, the millennials are young professionals who are trying to make their mark in the world of work.

2. They were born in an environment fundamentally different from that of previous generations.

They grew up in the midst of the exponential development of technology. Almost every year, mobile phone models have gotten updated. New applications and devices have continuously been invented. Convenience and comfort are the name of the game. Access to information has become enormously easy. Social media, unheard of until recently, has changed the way people interact and relate with others. Further, with no open space to engage in play and recreation, millennials have turned to video games and online videos.

3. Because of globalization, millennials are more connected globally…but are less connected internally, socially, and culturally.

Globalization has allowed them to be connected across borders by the Internet and social media. Unfortunately, it is also the reason why this young generation is now struggling with their social skills. Growing up during the rise of the Internet, they have experienced less face-to-face interaction with people and have spent more time on online conversations. As a result, interpersonal/social skills are scant when interacting with someone in the real world. Cultural identity is becoming less important too, as these millennials become exposed to various cultures and ways of thinking.

4. Traditional worldviews and institutions are challenged by them because these seem irrelevant.

Millennials continuously take a stand on their beliefs and views. They do not hesitate to speak their minds. This behavior is discounted by the older generation, who believe it is disrespectful to argue. This is not necessarily the case for the millennials. They are open to changing long-held practices if these do not seem relevant.

Having instant access to an overwhelming amount of information daily, they have learned that some of it may be misleading. Their views on different issues and institutions grow more contrary as they become more skeptical toward the information being fed to them.

5. Those who are from the NCR region spend an average of 10 hours per week on the Internet.

Aside from doing schoolwork and projects, millennials use the Internet on activities such as updating social media and posting photos and life events. Indeed, the amount of time they spend using social networks is steadily increasing, proving that it is ingrained in the daily lives of these young people. This generation is undeniably heavier and more enthusiastic than the older-age-group users of the Internet.

6. They fuse their social lives and personal identities with their gadgets and apps.

A smartphone is starting to become a necessity for millennials; hardly do we hear of any of them not having one. Their social lives have become dependent on their devices and the different applications they contain. Using the various apps online allows them to build a personal identity through creating self-presentations that describe them to their audience or the online community. It goes to show that much of the millennials’ lives today are an open book.

7. They are the most tolerant (and liberal) of any generation on social issues.

Millennials tend to be hugely assertive and self-expressive when it comes to social issues they care about. They are creative people who strive to develop their own unique approaches to solving the social problems of our time. Compared with the generations ahead of them, they seem to be more relaxed on the issues of drugs, sex, alcohol, homosexuality, and non-traditional family structures.

8. Their concerns about their goals, such as money, fame and image, have increased importance as compared to past generations.

Extrinsic goals such as money, fame, and image have started to become, if not a priority, a great concern for millennials. Having varied interests, hobbies, and multiple activities to engage in, this group of people constantly seek ways to live their lives to the fullest. Earning good money, they are able to invest in gratifying life experiences, which in turn bring fame and distinction to them as these moments are often documented or marketed on social media for everyone to see.

9. The work ethic of millennials is vastly different from that of the older generations.

Most of them entered the workforce equipped with a technology skill set, having grown up in a time of rapidly changing technology. Multitasking has become their way of life. Unlike the older generations who are career-oriented and define themselves by their accomplishments at work, millennials prefer a more flexible and less formal approach to work. Aside from this, they also seek constant feedback and assurance that their work is being valued and recognized.

10. Research reports an increase in narcissism and self-esteem in this millennial generation.

Generational increase in narcissism is notable in millennials. They are likely to exhibit high self-expectation, inflated sense of self, grandiosity, and positive self-image. They may not be entirely at fault for this because this generation was schooled on the importance of having high self-esteem and being confident about themselves, given the competitive environment created by the social media.

Trying to understand where these millennials are coming from, and the environment they grew up in would definitely close the generation gap. At the same time, it is also good to explain to the millennials why each generation has its preferences. This way, expectations will be managed more effectively, and intergenerational relationship will be more fruitful.

^[1] Liane Peña Alampay is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the Ateneo de Manila University. She obtained her PhD in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University and her AB and MA degrees in Psychology from the University of the Philippines. In 2013 she received the Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the National Academy of Science and Technology for her contributions to research and local policies on Filipino parenting, children and adolescents at risk, and child protection.