Millennials (Generation Y or Gen Y) is the generation that follows Generation X and precedes Generation Z. These people were born between the years 1981 to 1996.
You can call these people the original tech people, as they were born into a technological world and came of age in a new millennium. Millennials are the first generation that grew up on the internet stage. These people were the ones who originally started internet usage – they set the pace for the Gen Z.
They started up with the usage of and familiarity with the Internet, and social media, which is why they are sometimes termed digital natives.
How Do You Pronounce Millennials?
English scholars, get in here!
Here are tips that should help you pronounce these words;
Break ‘millennial’ down into sounds: [MI] + [LEN] + [EE] + [UHL]. Say it out loud multiple times to get used to it.
There you go.
Millennials: Age Range
Millennials were born between the years 1981–1996. The youngest Millennial should be 26, while the oldest should be 42 years old.
Why The Name Millennials?
As their name suggests, Millennials were named for their birth years, which were near the very end of the last millennium.
The term millennial was first introduced by Neil Howe and William Strauss in the 1991 book Generations.
It was coined to describe the generational cohort of people born between 1980 and 2000. One of the reasons behind the name is the fact that the oldest millennials were graduating high school in the year 2000 (the beginning of the new millennium).
Ever since then, this generation has been known as millennials. However, it wasn’t used until the year 2013, after which it became exceedingly popular.
Characteristics Of Millennials
Unlike the Generation Z, Millennials tend to be more mature and more serious, especially when it comes to their careers.
They are good at accepting change
Over time, Millennials have witnessed a massive shift in technologies, the economy, and business throughout their lifetime. Change doesn’t scare them.
Even the Covid-19 pandemic must have met them like…
Most seem to recognize that these industries are constantly changing. Therefore, the methods of working within the modern-day career field must change with them.
They are curious
These smart heads want to know everything. You think Gen-Z are curious? You probably haven’t met a Millennial.
Researchers say that this quality makes them valuable employees.
READ: How To Build Social Skills
They value teamwork
When it comes to working, this generation wants to collaborate, unlike other generations. They are willing to learn.
Gen-Z, shey you will learn.
SEE: Gen Z vs Millennials: Battle of the Generations
They are very creative
Of course, millennials set the pace for creativity. They grew up in a time with lots of technology and changes. This has given them an active imagination.
Employers, you need to add millennials to the workplace. In case your GenZ employee is misbehaving and you need a mature person.
Gen Z vs Millennials
Now there is a huge similarity between these two generations because of their similar interest in technology and digitization. However, they are also very different.
Have you noticed that often times Millennials and Gen Z are always in conflict? Could it be a thing of jealousy?
Independence
Millennials are more independent; in this case, GenZ members cannot relate because some of them are still depending on their parents and are living with their parents longer.
No shame.
Don’t be in a hurry to leave your parents’ house. Take your time. Things are hard. Don’t let “Adulthood na scam” be your new ringtone.
SEE: Social Generations – All You Need to Know
Attitude to work
Millennials are said to be more mature and focused on work than Gen Z because they understand things better. The latter grew up in a world of social media and can get easily distracted.
Gen Z are also flexible in their work and prioritize mental health over anything, including said work.
Relationships
Millennials go through the process of the past generations’ ways. Gen Z, however, are coming up with theirs by starting up new trends, and they are not afraid of letting people know.
This, however, has led to confusion in identity. Millennials grew up knowing what they wanted; they had that stability. They graduated from the university, settled down, married their high school sweethearts, and had children.
However, for Gen Z, it is unusually hard because there is so much chaos in political, social, and economic areas. They tend to go through many phases and can end up confused about what they want to do with their lives.
These are but some of the disparities between Gen Z and Millennials.
RELATED: Gen Z: Who are the Genzees
Conclusion
Millennials may look like the old school now, but they had their time when other generations envied them. And we still appreciate them for their great work ethic and for paving the way to learn about digitalization.
