I guess it's been a while since my last post, but a lot has happened in the past few months that make me question different things primarily about the job search. Having graduated recently with a BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering, various outlets had said that finding a job would be easy. Graduating from a well-renowned institution would allow for a lot of opportunities with various employers. Well, it did open doors and interviews, but everything resulted in a dead end. This led me to thinking as to why it's hard to land a full-time entry-level position. For the most part, many of my peers returned to companies that they had previously interned with having had lucrative connections that allowed them to enter positions that were created for them. Other peers have decided to focus their efforts on alternative career paths either pursuing higher education or finding positions that suit more to their interests. What about those that don't know what to do?
Very often you will read about people especially millennials that decided to forge their own paths. Creative minds that decided to break away from their mundane careers and become self-starters (i.e. start-ups). But not every millennial is like those special few. Others find the routine 9 to 5 corporate job safe and comfortable, but obtaining such a lifestyle requires adhering to an older archetype of corporate America. One driven by standards, protocols, and profit-oriented mindsets. Many economic commentators would say that rather than profits, companies should focus on innovation and outreach. Developing products and people that will help shape the global economy. However, innovation and structure often butt heads. Innovation requires free-thinkers, those that are willing to step beyond the box and take risks. Structure requires those that are diligent and rule-followers. People that are more willing to adhere to the safety and constraints of simple aspirations.
As the world becomes more and more technology-infused, older generations find it hard to adapt. One can see this based on the amount of senior-level positions open in companies. Even certain staff positions require a minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience which is hard to muster for recent graduates. There we can see a dichotomy of the old vs the new. Old America not wanting to embrace the unique and innovative New America. Older generations feeling the pressure to conform to new standards and ideologies would rather shun new perspectives than embrace them. Moving the finishing line further and further to ensure that more and more millennials will never reach those final goals.
With these changing standards, what should millennials do? Well, embrace their difference and develop paths of their own. Why conform to old practices and behaviors especially fueled by a white American standard when there are markets and people that are much larger to appeal to? For example, the best example of this is large tech companies that embrace the diverse and look for the highly skilled. Although many have high turnovers in employees, the amount of success a young person obtains in a tech company does not compare if they had entered more traditional establishments. Start-up culture has allowed for more unique corporate lifestyles to emerge and provide an outlet for frustrated millennials that shun the traditional 9 to 5 office life. However, even within these environments, older practices are still rampant. The want and need for younger companies to appeal to older investors results in returning to older business models and familiarity in older practices. Therefore, what should the millennial do?
Embrace the old until the old becomes archaic. As seen in recent business news, large tech companies are fueled by the millennial economy. No longer is the Gen X or Baby-Boomer dollar worth much. Older archetypes do not embrace the new-age thinking of millennials which result in a major impact on corporate America. So, what does that mean for young job seekers? Embrace the unique and forge your own path. As millennials grow older and become a majority in the American economy, old methods of job searching and placements will change. No longer will people be judged on old standards such as experience or education, but rather applicable skills and innovative mindsets that bring value rather than profit. Therefore, to other millennial job seekers out there, hold on! Soon it will be out with the old and in with the new.
Very often you will read about people especially millennials that decided to forge their own paths. Creative minds that decided to break away from their mundane careers and become self-starters (i.e. start-ups). But not every millennial is like those special few. Others find the routine 9 to 5 corporate job safe and comfortable, but obtaining such a lifestyle requires adhering to an older archetype of corporate America. One driven by standards, protocols, and profit-oriented mindsets. Many economic commentators would say that rather than profits, companies should focus on innovation and outreach. Developing products and people that will help shape the global economy. However, innovation and structure often butt heads. Innovation requires free-thinkers, those that are willing to step beyond the box and take risks. Structure requires those that are diligent and rule-followers. People that are more willing to adhere to the safety and constraints of simple aspirations.
As the world becomes more and more technology-infused, older generations find it hard to adapt. One can see this based on the amount of senior-level positions open in companies. Even certain staff positions require a minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience which is hard to muster for recent graduates. There we can see a dichotomy of the old vs the new. Old America not wanting to embrace the unique and innovative New America. Older generations feeling the pressure to conform to new standards and ideologies would rather shun new perspectives than embrace them. Moving the finishing line further and further to ensure that more and more millennials will never reach those final goals.
With these changing standards, what should millennials do? Well, embrace their difference and develop paths of their own. Why conform to old practices and behaviors especially fueled by a white American standard when there are markets and people that are much larger to appeal to? For example, the best example of this is large tech companies that embrace the diverse and look for the highly skilled. Although many have high turnovers in employees, the amount of success a young person obtains in a tech company does not compare if they had entered more traditional establishments. Start-up culture has allowed for more unique corporate lifestyles to emerge and provide an outlet for frustrated millennials that shun the traditional 9 to 5 office life. However, even within these environments, older practices are still rampant. The want and need for younger companies to appeal to older investors results in returning to older business models and familiarity in older practices. Therefore, what should the millennial do?
Embrace the old until the old becomes archaic. As seen in recent business news, large tech companies are fueled by the millennial economy. No longer is the Gen X or Baby-Boomer dollar worth much. Older archetypes do not embrace the new-age thinking of millennials which result in a major impact on corporate America. So, what does that mean for young job seekers? Embrace the unique and forge your own path. As millennials grow older and become a majority in the American economy, old methods of job searching and placements will change. No longer will people be judged on old standards such as experience or education, but rather applicable skills and innovative mindsets that bring value rather than profit. Therefore, to other millennial job seekers out there, hold on! Soon it will be out with the old and in with the new.
