This post goes out to all the millennials. You may be graduating from college. You may be searching for a job in your field. You may be working your way up the corporate ladder. You may still be trying to figure out exactly what you want to do. Regardless of the career stage you’re in, I have a word of advice: KNOW YOUR WORTH.
Entering the workforce is both exciting and nerve-wracking. For many of us, it means leaving the structure of the education system for the uncertainty and unpredictability of the American workforce. We enter our internships or entry-level jobs all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. We come to work with fresh ideas and stay long hours. We take on extra work to appease our superiors and impress our colleagues. We become the butt of every millennial joke and brush it off to save face. While doing all of that, we are still constantly labeled as ‘lazy’ or ‘spoiled’ by our older counterparts. Why?
The one thing that I love about ‘millennials’ is the fact that we want it ALL. We want the career, the family, the home, the vacations and we will stop at nothing to make it happen. The main difference that I see between millennials and other generations is that millennials will not compromise their boundaries. We, more than any other generation, value work-life balance. We work hard and play even harder. That duality is something that other generations simply can’t wrap their head around and is often projected into slick comments about millennials and our capabilities.
Although many of us brush it off to save face, imposter syndrome is real and these off the wall comments deepen the anxiety that comes with it.
For those who are not familiar, imposter syndrome is a “psychological pattern in which one doubts one’s accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud”.” Having your abilities constantly questioned is annoying, especially if this is your first time working in the role. What many other generations don’t understand is that millennials are not as confident as we present ourselves to be. To be honest, many of us are scared shitless. Constant underestimation only causes unnecessary anxiety in an already stressful situation. We, in turn, try to prove them wrong. We stay long hours, we take on more work, and we choose not to ask for that raise because we don’t think we really deserve it. Eventually, many of us burn out and end up hating the field we once loved.
Your first job may have you feeling like you’re the crazy one, but I am here to assure you that you are completely sane. Getting paid $15 an hour for a job that REQUIRES a Bachelor’s degree? It is a scam. Constantly working overtime to prove to your boss that you’re a ‘hard worker’? It is overrated. Being the butt of every joke for your boomer colleagues? You’re right! They’re not as perfect as they think they are. One more thing: the boomers will never understand you, so they will never really appreciate you. But so what? Keep dreaming big. You CAN have it all. Your hard work is an accomplishment to be proud of. Securing that job is an accomplishment by itself. Remember, you’ll never have what you never ask for. You want to set boundaries in the workplace? Say that. You think you deserve a raise? Ask for it. If you’re putting in the work, you deserve to reap the benefits. Remember to always know your worth, and add tax.
