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Impressed with Clear talent Paid Internship Byline
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Managing a Millenial Workforce
Or, "Why I refuse to call in sick"
Carie Windham Student, University of Ulster
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Managing a Millenial Workforce

• Who are the Millenials?
• What characteristics define Net Gen students?
• How do those characteristics translate to a work
  environment?
• What, specifically, can be done to recruit,
  motivate, and accommodate Net Gen workers?

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Who are the Millenials?
- Howe and Strauss, 2000
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Who are the Millenials?

• They have only known two presidents.
• There has only been one Germany.
• They have never actually heard anyone ring it
  up on a cash register.
• They are wireless, yet always connected.
• Google has always been a verb.
• Reality television shows have always been on
  television.
• They have rarely mailed anything with a stamp.
• They have always been able to watch wars and
  revolutions live on television.
• Most of them never had the chance to eat bad
  airplane food.

- Beloit College, 2006
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The Usual Suspects
Im no idiot. Straight As and a college degree
dont guarantee anything. Im going to fight my
way to the top -- thats the only way to
succeed.

• Alias Jonathan Page
• Current sentence freshman, landscape
  architecture
• Crime Once reported to the class that an
  assignment was due on Friday, not Wednesday, so
  he could claim the only A in class. He was 10
  years old.

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Academically Driven

• Class of 4,500
• 77 valedictorians, 87 salutatorians
• 70 percent in top 20 percent of class
• Average GPA of 4.11
• 22 with perfect reading score on SAT
• 44 perfect math scores
• More than half with AP credits

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The Usual Suspects
My parents assume that Im some kind of genius
because I can operate Internet Explorer. I grew
up with technology, its not a big deal. But it
does mean Im practically clueless about how to
operate a fax machine.
Alias Rachel Rosenberg Current sentence senior,
history Crime Told a professor she couldnt turn
in a paper because the printer ate her homework
and she simply couldnt figure out how to use her
parents typewriter. She wasnt lying.
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The Usual Suspects
They call this the information age or something,
right? Look, I want things fast! I dont wait for
video, I dont wait or mail, I dont wait for
anything. If I ever had to use dial-up again, I
might shoot myself.
Alias Joe McConnell Current sentence freshman,
undecided Crime Left the McDonalds
drive-through one day because it was taking too
long. It had been five minutes.
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Technologically adept

• One-fifth began using computers between ages 5
  and 8.
• 85 percent of college students own their own
  computers.
• 86 percent of college students have gone online
  compared with 59 percent of general population.
• 72 percent check e-mail at least once a day.

- Jones, 2002
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The Usual Suspects
I look around and I see messes. America is a
mess in the media. The environment is a mess.
Values are a mess. Who else is going to clean
this up?
Alias Nathan Turner Current sentence sophomore,
computer engineering Crime Worked a soup
kitchen, cleaned up his neighbors yard, attended
a meeting of the Sierra Club, and tutored a
12-year-old student. That was Tuesday.
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The Usual Suspects
My dad is all about, Make money. Make money. I
dont see the purpose in that if it doesnt
fulfill me. I want to be happy. I want to make a
difference. If Im good enough, money wont be an
issue.
Alias Amelia Olewaan Current sentence senior,
biology Crime Turned down a lucrative offer at a
pharmaceutical company to apply for Teach for
America. Her mother still refuses her calls.
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Service-minded

• 83 percent of high school students say they
  volunteered before college
• Survey at University of Texas reveals more than
  74 percent of undergraduates do service hours
  during semester
• Almost 3,000,000 hours of service

ServiceLeader.org
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The Usual Suspects
My parents dont understand. They think that
talking online must be impersonal. Or that is
leaves some sort of void. Online is how I talk. I
can communicate with so many more people and
manage so many more relationships. She thinks Im
more isolated than her generation I think its
the opposite.
Alias Sara Barker Current sentence junior
accounting Crime Invited her entire Facebook
friends list to her 21st birthday party. It was
500 people.
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Social creatures

• 42 percent of college students use the Internet,
  primarily, to communicate socially
• 37 percent of college students report forwarding
  messages to family or friends as the most popular
  use of the Internet
• Facebook, a college networking site, counts 9
  million users

- Jones, 2002
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The Usual Suspects
If you look at my computer, there are at last
six windows open at the same time. Information
can be accessed so fast and so easy, why not use
that to get more done at the same time?

• Alias Kevin Ferguson
• Current sentence junior, zoology
• Crime On Friday he wrote a term paper, swiped
  cards at the gym, ordered flip flops from J.
  Crew, balanced his checkbook, and set up plans
  for the weekend all at the same time.

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Multi-taskers

• Computer lab observations
• Online multitasking mimicks social patterns
• Wireless capability only expands ability to
  multitask

- Jones, 2002
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Who are the Millenials?

• Believe its cool to be smart.
• Are focused on grades and performance.
• Are busy with extracurricular activities.
• Are fascinated by new technologies.
• Identify with parents values and feel close to
  their parents.
• Are optimistic about their future and the future
  impact of their generation.
• Believe theyll be left to clean up the problems
  of the past generations.
• Want to see the greater value in their work.

- Howe and Strauss, 2000
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Key Characteristics

• Are academically and professionally driven.
• Crave work that means something.
• Motivated by fulfillment, not monetary gain.
• Can be expert multi-taskers.
• Are generally values-driven.
• Comfortable with and often dependent on
  technology.
• Highly social creatures.

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Translating to the workplace

• Resume builders
• Flexible hours
• Perks, not dollar signs
• Usable environment
• Crave trust, responsibility
• Want access
• Like interaction

• Academically driven
• Activity Overload
• Fulfillment, not money
• Multi-taskers
• Values-driven
• Technology users
• Social creatures

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Things that never change

• Were often broke
• We can be bribed with the simplest of things
• We love to have our ego stroked

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Academically Driven

• Recruitment Seek jobs that will add to their
  academic or professional portfolio
• Examples Structure conversations to talk about
  their goals or refining their skills, help
  mold to fulfill their career expectations, like
  words like internship, externship, or co-op,
  explain to students how you can help at the end
  of the job such as references or letters of
  recommendation
• Retention Like the promise of a solid
  recommendation down the line or a resume gem
• Examples create opportunities for concrete
  validation such as awards, offer to make
  connections for personal or professional growth,
  include in conversations about professional
  development, offer chances for individual
  projects with individual recognition

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They said
When I applied for my job, I liked the fact that
it was described as an internship instead of
just a part-time job. That looked really good on
my resume.
I knew that the girl who came before me got a
really good recommendation from our boss for her
next job. She told me that our boss even called
to give a reference over the phone. That
impressed me and motivated me to work even harder
to get that recommendation.
So the office started this program called WIGs
or Way Important Goals. One of the was to
recognize hard workers. My friends and I made fun
of it. But when I actually got the award, I
started working harder because I thought I owed
them that! Now its on my resume!
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Extra-curricular Overload

• Recruitment Want opportunities that will fit in
  their busy lives without restriction
• Examples Offer students flexible hours to
  accommodate class or activity schedules
• Retention Need employers that will sympathize
  with their role as students
• Examples take a vested interest in their outside
  lives, offer ability to manipulate class schedule
  to fit academic needs

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They said
I look for jobs that understand that Im a
student first. I want it to be OK if I need to
adjust my schedule for a test. And I need them to
understand that I just cant work 9-5.
I quit my last job because my boss didnt
understand why I needed time off for a big
project. As long as I ask in advance, I need them
to help me find a solution.
When I worked at the Student Center, I also
wrote stories for the newspaper. My boss used to
read my stories and send me e-mails quoting her
favorite parts. It showed me that she took notice
of the fact that I had responsibilities outside
work.
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Fulfillment, not money

• Recruitment Look for jobs that offer unique
  experiences, not big paychecks
• Examples Stress the unique opportunities that
  come with the job is it access? Is it the
  opportunity to be part of an innovative team?
  What about the chance to be creative?
• Retention We dont want to be office drones no
  matter how much youre paying
• Examples work experience should stimulate the
  mind and offer rewards that stretch beyond the
  paycheck, students need to be reminded where they
  are making an impact, like work that challenges
  their mind if theyre going to stay engaged

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They said
At the end of the week, my supervisor would send
e-mail updates to the staff explaining big
milestones that the library had reached. It might
be some big award or just the statistics or a
story from the desk. But they made it seem like
all of us were part of it. (I dont think we
really were.) I felt important.
I would die if I lived an Office Space life. I
need to feel like Im doing something, you know?
Even if you just need me to work the desk, put me
in charge of a bulletin board or a calendar let
me expand my mind someway!
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Multi-taskers

• Recruitment Want opportunities that will allow
  them to multi-task with all the parts of their
  life
• Examples Make work expectations clear can they
  use the Internet? Are they able to do classwork
  during lull periods? What about the use of cell
  phones and PDAs?
• Retention Create an environment that will keep
  them engaged
• Examples If multi-tasking with the outside world
  is not an option, create a work experience that
  keeps workers engaged by offering multiple tasks
  and individual projects during slow periods

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They said
Why do I work at the gym? Helloooo I can do my
homework while swiping cards at the desk.
I knew that working a desk was not the job for
me when I practically fell asleep on the first
day. When I transferred departments, my boss used
to keep a Keep Busy list in the drawer of
things we could do when work was slow. It helped
me stay awake.
I didnt have anything to do one day so I picked
up my Blackberry and started text messaging my
friends. Then I got busted. I said, Give me
something to do!.
When he described the job he said, Oh yeah, you
can use the Internet when youre not doing
anything else. I canceled my broadband account
at the apartment and just used the work computer
to do e-mail and stuff. I saved so much money and
worked so many more hours than everyone else.
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Technology Driven

• Recruitment Use the Internet to search for and
  apply for jobs Can be bribed with good
  technology
• Examples Post job listings online and offer
  e-mail as an option for applications or
  correspondences understand that students are
  often most comfortable with online communication
• Retention Allow students to use technology
  Communicate with technology
• Examples free Internet goes a long way, allow
  students to experiment with new technology,
  create expectations for technology usage and
  interpersonal communication

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They said
I hate having to give my boss bad news over
the phone. Id really rather e-mail her. As long
as I do it more than 24 hours in advance, its
cool. I like that thats allowed.
We have this new iMac in the office. Nods
head. If you come in early or finish early, you
can use it for personal stuff like design. Oh
yeah, its sweet.
I get a walkie talkie. A walkie talkie! Its
like Im James Bond or something.
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Social Creatures

• Recruitment Often look for jobs that will allow
  them to interact with other students or
  supervisors
• Retention Nurturing social relationships gives
  students a reason to keep coming back
• Examples create opportunities for social
  networking and interaction, create personal
  spaces for workers such as student lounges, web
  communities, or discussion boards

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They said
We have a lounge on the third floor thats just
for student interns. Now, I go in when Im not
even working just to see whos hanging out.
Partly, its because theyre my friends. But
mostly, it makes me feel cool.
My boss is totally cool with the fact that my
friends sometimes stop by. None of their bosses
do that so it means we get to see each other at
the student center.
I think Ill stick around this year for the
staff luncheon.
We have an inter-office newsletter that tells
insides jokes from the week. I look forward to
getting it every time and I find myself spending
more time around the office so that I know whats
going on and how to get in the pages.
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And those things that never change?

• Free food goes a long way free T-shirts last
  even longer
• We love to think were getting special perks
  that the rest of the student body cant enjoy

• Access to off-limits parts of campus
• Parking passes
• Free passes to special events on campus
• Use of cutting-edge equipment
• Ability to erase fees or other problems
• Access to decision-makers at campus

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They said
At my job, we didnt have to come into the
office. But everybody did on Fridays. Why? It was
a common fact that the Friday board meeting meant
extra donuts and cookies in the conference room.
I know I cant expect benefits like insurance
but I stick with the gym because we get to take
the classes for free.
I like Special Collections because our boss lets
us go through some of the collections when no one
is around. Its really cool to see parts of the
university that few others ever get to see.
Every time I thought about quitting I just
thought about that parking pass.
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Take home points

• Compared to past generations, Millenials are set
  apart by the ease with which they have grown up
  with and adopted technological advancements. They
  tend to multi-task easily, network readily, and
  driven by a desire to succeed and make a
  difference.
• Recruitment is a matter of appealing to student
  desires promote jobs as career builders or
  opportunities to serve the larger population.
• Retention can be as simple as providing free food
  or special perks. Students also crave recognition
  for their work from titles to awards to a solid
  letter of recommendation.

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Links and Contact Info

• Carie Windham carie.windham_at_gmail.com
• Educause Learning Initiative www.educause.edu/eli
  
• Beloit College Mindset List http//www.beloit.edu
  /pubaff/mindset/
• Pew Internet and American Life Project
  http//www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/71/report_display
  .asp