I see you post a lot of comic strips, articles, pictures, and/or memes stereotyping and insulting my generation. Of course, by 'you,' I am not referring to a single person, but rather an entire group of adults who exhibit this type of belittling behavior towards an entire generation of people (if this is you, please also see my post about adult bullying).
Even as a millennial, yes, I too have also had to work with lazy and entitled people.
After all, I went to school with them. Many of my own grades depended on them in the form of the 'Group Project.' Actually, some of these millennials very well could be your child.
I am not going to waste my words here to prove to you that "I [and many of my friends and peers] am the exception to the stereotype." I know who I am. I spend a lot of time, effort, and conscientious thought into proving to those around me that I do not deserve that negative stereotype. And, after all, you didn't explain your credibility to your audience when you announced on your Facebook that you were hiring for entry-level positions and needed the millennials to get their act together so you could hire them.
What I do want to talk about how we can all possibly work together in the coming years.
If not, you should. And I will still take the time to summarize it for you:
Once upon a time, there is a place where "anyone can be anything." In this place, there is a determined bunny named Judy who dreams of being a police officer. Bunnies are not usually police officers, when there are elephants and lions and polar bears who obviously look more qualified to do the job. However, Judy works through the stereotype, and graduates at the top of her police academy class. Everyone is so proud of her, and she moves to the city where she can finally live out her dream of being the police officer. Unfortunately, once she gets there, her boss doesn't take her seriously because she's a bunny, ignores her obvious qualifications, and puts her on parking duty.
Though disappointed, Judy works through it to prove to her boss that she can excel at being a police officer by doubling the amount of parking tickets that he doubts she will ever give out in a day. Then, she spots some mischief going on, is finally but reluctantly given a chance at real police work, and the rest of the movie happens.
At the top of her class, yes, Judy was probably very good at taking tests. However, in the end, she still had a lot to bring to the table, and she helped solve problems that the rest of the police department couldn't crack themselves. But this wouldn't have happened if her boss hadn't let go of his original stereotype.
Judy says this at the end of the movie, kind of as a summary of lessons learned (it's a kid movie, what do you expect?):
"Life's a little bit more complicated than a slogan on a bumper sticker. Real life is messy. We all have limitations. We all make mistakes. Which means, hey, glass half full, we all have a lot in common. And the more we try to understand one another, the more exceptional each of us will be. But we have to try. So no matter what kind of person you are, I implore you: Try. Try to make the world a better place. Look inside yourself recognize that change starts with you."
Mr. Gen X, I implore you to let go of the millennial stereotype. Because right now, no, I will not be applying to any of your posted jobs, nor will I refer my friends to work for you. My friends and I will go work for great employers who don't discriminate, like the employer I have now. All of the millennials left to work for you will be the sloths that you expect. As Harper Lee wrote: "People generally see what they look for and hear what they listen for."
I wish you well, Mr. Gen X. I hope that you will let your stereotypes go and find employees that will support you fairly.
Respectfully,
A millennial with her act together.
