4 career lessons we can learn from Millennials

4 career lessons we can learn from Millennials4 career lessons we can learn from MillennialsSavvy, progressive, and success-oriented Millennials are known for their tendency to do things differently. Theyve been raised in the era of smartphones and social media, tools that emphasize the endless possibilities the world has to offer. As a result, many Millennials have grown up to strive for prosperity and think outside the box to achieve it.These attitudes have heavily reflected on the Millennial approach to the working world. Millennials have long-since abandoned the Baby Boomer philosophy that sometimes a job is just a job, and that the sole responsibility is to be able to support your family. Millennials are starting families at a later age than previous generations, and some are notlage starting families at all. This new individualized approach to life goes hand-in-hand with their emphasis on career satisfaction.Although many think that theres not much to learn from the younger ge neration when it comes to the workforce, their perspectives are actually quite eye-opening. So, what can Millennials teach us about finding the right career?Be a self-starterMillennials grew up in the age of the influencer self-made celebrities and professionals that used social media to gain notoriety for their skills and talents. As a result, never in history has there been a generation this fixated on becoming entrepreneurs. According to Forbes, 72% of Millennials want to be their own boss. Sure, previous generations have seen their fair share of hotshot CEOs, but theyve also seen a large percentage of workers that are perfectly satisfied working 9-5 jobs under someone else.For older generations, work is about stability. For Millennials, its about fulfillment. They use the resources the world wide web provides to be their own boss and dont simply wait for the right job to fall into their lap. The Millennial generation teaches us to put ourselves out there and take the risk to ma ke your own success. After all, the biggest regrets we have in life are the things we didnt try, right?Explore your job opportunitiesMillennials are job-hoppers. And, while this trait is perceived as negative by some, it can actually be quite healthy in early employment. Millennials are searching for their calling, and they wont stop until they find a job they truly enjoy. A CareerBuilder survey showed that 25% of young employees have worked five jobs. Employers are adapting to this growing statistic, with the same survey showing that 32% of employers saying they expect workers to job hop.The Millennial generation stresses the importance of trying new things, gaining experience, and making contacts all benefits of working a variety of jobs. For individuals who dont quite have career aspirations or a set goal, this can also be an extremely effective way to find a field they enjoy.Connectivity is keyDespite the fact that so many Millennials work remotely, often from the comforts of t heir at-home office, they understand that connectivity is key. They value constant feedback, performance reviews, and progress meetings more than their Gen X and Baby Boomer counterparts. This is a surprising fact to those who believe Millennials prefer to be glued to their phone screens, avoiding communication at all costs.The truth is that 84% of Millennials value an open communications policy over job perks, preferring honest feedback over the usual job perks. Checking in for 15 minutes a week is even more appealing to Millennial employees than a top-tier benefits package. Due to the open communication and connectivity fostered by the social media age, its not a surprise employees expect this in the everyday world. Millennials understand the importance of feedback in improving job performance and strengthening work relationships.Follow your passionA job is not just a job to Millennials its a way of life. In a study by Department26, 44% of Millennials valued passion for their job role over salary and other benefits. Millennials are preaching the do what you love philosophy, recognizing that satisfaction in a job is more important than perks, and contributes to employment longevity. Rather than chasing paychecks, they chase contentment, which contributes to a healthier attitude toward money and eradicates stigma surrounding career choices.Instead of judging their peers for their employment choices or striving to land in prosperous fields pre-determined for them by their parents, Millennials understand that the most important qualifier for a career is enjoyment.Ellie Batchiyska is a writer for EveryUSB, a custom flash drive retailer whose products are often used to publish employee handbooks, CVs, and all kinds of employment resources.