1. The Millennial Generation: What We Know About This Generation of the Future Central Piedmont Community College Center for Applied Research Bobbie Fields Terri Manning Cheryl Roberts Central Piedmont Community College Center for Applied Research Bobbie Fields Terri Manning Cheryl Roberts A Study Funded by the Workforce Development Board

2. The Echo Boom/Millennials…  The Millennials are almost as large as the baby boom-some say larger - depending on how you measure them.  The Millennials are the children born between 1982 and 2002 (peaked in 1990), a cohort called by various names: Generation Y Echo Boom Net Generation Millennials

3. Demographic Explanations for the ‘Echo Boom’  The Baby Boomers chose to become older parents in the 1980s while Gen X moms reverted back to the earlier birth-age norm.  Two generations were having babies.  In 1989, 29 percent of the 4.4 million live births were to women aged 30 and older.  From 1981 to 1997 the fertility rate of women aged 45–49 rose by 88%.

4. Boomer (84M) and Millennial Births (81M)

5. Millennial Births in Millions

6. Demographic Trends  Millennials have older parents: Average age of mothers at birth at an all time high of 27 in 1997.  Smaller families. Only children will comprise about 10% of the population.  The Millennial childhood coincides with the most “monumental” financial boom in history.  More parental education: 1 in 4 has at least one parent with a college degree.  Kids born in the late ‘90s are the first in American history whose mothers are better educated than their fathers by a small margin.

7. Demographic Trends - Diversity Millennials have become the most racially and ethnically diverse generation in US History. Nearly 35% of Millennials are nonwhite or Latino. Latinos are the largest minority group (16%) followed by blacks (14%) making this the first generation in US history in which blacks are no longer the largest of all racial and ethnic minorities.

8. Millennials - Ethnically Diverse

9. Technology This generation has been plugged in since they were babies. They grew up with educational software and computer games. They think technology should be free. They want and expect services 24/7. They do not live in an 8–5 world. They all have cell phones and expect to be in contact 24/7. They function in an international world.

10. Safety Issues The Safest Generation This generation was buckled up in car seats, wore bike helmets, elbow and knee pads when skating, and were the inspiration for “Baby on Board” signs The Well-Being of U.S. Teens Mortality Rate for US teens aged 15–19 declined from 1960 to 1997 -Teens are having fewer accidents than Boomers

11. Baby Boomers as Parents Boomers rebelled against the parenting practices of their parents. They made conscious decisions not to say “because I told you so” or “because I’m the parent and you’re the child.” They explained things to their children, (actions, consequences, options, etc.). They allowed their children to have input into family decisions, educational options and discipline issues. This coupled with the popularity of computer software/ games that changed the ending based on the decisions children made (Role Playing Games). Millennials became “master negotiators” who were capable of rational thought and decision-making skills at young ages.

12. Focus on Self-esteem This generation was the center of the “self- esteem” movement. 9,068 books were written about self-esteem and children during the 80s and 90s. The state of California spent millions studying the construct and published a document entitled “Toward a State of Self-esteem.” Researchers say this generation feels disconnected, question their existence, purpose and the meaning of life. They want to feel valued and cared about. All this attention has made children aware of their own personal happiness.

13. Baby Boomer Parents have been their Biggest Cheerleaders Millennials expect and need praise. Will mistake silence for disapproval. Millennials expect feedback.

14. Millennials Want to Learn With technology With each other Online In their time In their place Doing things that matter (most important) Source: Achievement and the 21 st Century Learner.

15. 12 th Graders Views of School Source: The Condition of Education 2002, National Center for Education Statistics. Percent School work is meaningful Courses are interesting School will be important in later life 40 31 36 28 35 29 24 21 51 41 47 39 1983 1990 1995 2000 0 10 20 30 40 50 60

16. In School They need to understand why they are doing what they are doing – objectives of classroom activities and projects. They want to have input into their educational processes. They want to be involved in meaningful activities not mundane work. They think it is cool to be smart.

17. How are Millennials doing in school? Teachers report that students are doing better academically. The largest gains have been in math and science for ages 9 and 13. Millennials have corrected a late 80s decline in writing proficiency. Reading scores show modest gains through the 90s.

18. SAT Scores – a Twenty Year Reversal Millennials Taking SAT Highest SAT Scores in 35 Years

19. College Full-time Enrollments in Millions First Millennial College Graduates Spring 2004 --- Peak Enrollment 2010

20. Parental Care in the Millennial Era Today’s typical family is spending more, not less, time with kids. Smaller families mean more time with each child. Fathers are spending more time with children. Less housework is being done. There is a strong connection between the social lives of parents and kids. They get along with their parents and share their parents’ values.

21. Multiculturalism Millennial kids: –Are used to a wide range of global viewpoints –Are tolerant of cohabitation, single parenting and extended families, different sexual orientations –Are accepting of diversity in both the private realm and public arena –Believe we may one day have a black or female president

22. Ambitions Most popular college majors: Medicine Education/teaching Business and marketing Engineering Law and politics Computer science Most sought after qualities in careers: Responsibility Independence Creativity Idealistic and committed co-workers Most common job trends : Multi-taskers Change Careers Seek security & benefits Stay with company that offers a challenge Source: Industry Week, March, 1998.

23. True Multi-taskers Millennials have lived programmed lives and are already quite capable of learning several jobs simultaneously and performing them admirably. Millennials will change careers many times. Retooling and recycling their skills and talents will become common. To retain them, smart employers will encourage Millennials to try out different careers within the same company.

24. Work Atmosphere With the right kind of challenge, opportunity, security and benefits package, Millennials are likely to stay with the company. Successful employers will have to find ways to offer flexible scheduling. Employers have learned from the booming service sector, where Millennials are working while in school, that flex scheduling is needed if you want to retain Millennials and get them to show up for work.

25. Work Atmosphere, cont. Millennials expect to work and have fun at the same time…they expect work to be fun. They have witnessed their baby boom parents coming home from stressed jobs, exhausted, falling asleep at the dinner table; and don’t want that for themselves. Employers need to instill a sense of fun in the work atmosphere – create community. It helps morale and helps employees get to know each other better.

26. Challenging Millennials  The opportunity to pursue parallel careers might be the characteristic that attracts Millennials to a company.  Changing jobs is a natural process and part of their daily schedules. They might work in accounting 3 days a week and marketing the other 2.  They will need to be challenged and provided opportunities for learning, stimulation, given direction and the ability to be involved in company decisions.  Millennials will create a new culture of work, characterized by more independence in the work force. Many of them will become entrepreneurs.

27. Communication is Key Millennials have expectations that the information they want will be provided in a timely, fast efficient manner. Communication, suggestions, feedback- positive and negative- need to travel in both directions for Millennials.

28. Orienting Millennials It needs to be communicated to them how their work fits into the future scheme of the company. Training Millennials with their multitasking skills and technological savvy will push training to new levels of technology and fun at the same time. Millennials will respond well to experiential learning where they are allowed to come up with their own solutions.

29. 2004 Research Study Central Piedmont Community College’s Center for Applied Research was contracted to do this study by the Workforce Development Board. Student Populations Selected (N=1,521) –Millennials from UNC Charlotte (N=739) –Millennials from Central Piedmont Community College (N=410) –Millennials from Johnson C. Smith University (N=129) –Non-millennials (N=194) –Data collected January – March 2004 –Focus Groups were conducted –An Online Survey was administered

30. Age of Parents Father Mean=49.3 (range 34–75) 47% were over 50 Means:UNCC – 48.8 JCSU – 49.1 CPCC – 49.6 Mother Mean=46.6 (range 32–67) 29% were over 50 Means:UNCC – 46.0 JCSU – 45.5 CPCC – 47.1

31. Characteristics They Look for in Teachers At least 50% said: –Enthusiastic about the course/teaching –Are fun to be around –Provide intellectual challenges –Have flexible class policies –Are sensitive to your needs/feelings –Emphasize preparing for future career

32. This Validates the Research The research says they want: –To be trusted and respected –Teachers to act as helpers –Opportunities to be responsible –Freedom, not license –A place where people care –Teachers who help them succeed –To have choices

33. Working in Teams How do you feel about working in teams? –I like it44.7% –Have no feelings about it25.9% –I don’t like it29.4%

34. Working in Teams In the classroom, do you do the following? 1 = never 2 = rarely 3 = sometimes 4 = often Mean (sd) Are given “team grades” on working with others2.62 (.89) Write papers/do projects with others2.41 (.79) Study/do research in teams2.35 (.80)

35. Comparing Yourself to People Your Parents Age….. When your generation is your parents’ age, will you take more, about the same or less interest in: –New Technology-more interest –Voting and Government -about the same –Reading and the Arts-about the same

36. What Will You Do After Graduating? Immediately get a job43% Continue my education34% Take some time off 5% Marry/start a family 6% Not sure 13%

37. Career Field How likely do you think it is that your first job out of college will be in your career field? –Very Likely39.4% –Somewhat Likely37.4% –Not Likely/Not Sure20.5%

38. Salary Expectations Realistically, what do you expect your starting salary will be when you begin working? Millennials –$15-20K 7.7% –$21-30K29.3% –$31-40K27.0% –$41-50K15.9% –$50K+ 7.0% –Not sure12.5% Approximately 65% felt they would learn $40K or less

39. Importance of Career Components Elements thought to be very important Respected on the Job Opportunity for Professional Development Ability to Have an Impact on the World

40. Importance of Career Components Items thought to be somewhat important: Access to Information and Expression of Personal Opinion Having High Job Prestige Working with Inspiring Colleagues Geographic Location of Job Receive Guidance and Direction from Supervisor

41. Importance of Career Components Items thought to be somewhat important: Participating in Company Decisions Independence/Professional Autonomy Using Creativity on the Job Lots of Responsibility Flexible Work Hours Dress Code Appropriate to Work Environment

42. Importance of Job Benefits Benefits thought to be very important Health Insurance Salary Growth Plans like 401K Life Insurance Bonuses Employer-paid Retirement Benefits thought to be unimportant Stock Options Profit Sharing

43. Jobs in Lifetime How many jobs do you think you will hold in your lifetime? –1-335.7% –4-641.5% –7-1016.5% –Over 10 6.2% 64% expect to have 4 or more jobs

44. Worry Things they worry about frequently: Future Plans Things they worry about occasionally: Transitioning to Life After College Finding a Job to Fulfill your Goals and Aspirations Money to Travel/for Hobbies Life After College Financial Debt

45. Worry Things they worry about occasionally: Home Ownership Paying Monthly Bills Finding a Job in Your Field Relationships After College Things they don’t worry about at all: Being Penalized for No Job Experience

46. Future Odds The following % felt it was very likely that they would someday: Work for themselves/own business21% Have lifestyle they grew up with63% 79% felt a two income household would be somewhat to very important in reaching their lifestyle goals?

47. Quality of Life? Rank order of items that contribute to a good quality of life (% ranking item in top 3 on a scale of 1-8) __ –Having a secure future for my family 71.5% –Time to enjoy family/children 68.7% –Having family/children 63.2% –Having a great job 60.4% –Having good friends 55.2% –Having plenty of money 45.5% –Having plenty of free time 40.2%

48. What Kind of Community Do you Intend to Live In? Predominantly Urban, Mixed Housing Style22.7% Suburban Community, Single Family Homes40.1% Rural Area with Large Lots/Open Space30.1% Other 7.1%

49. Your Generation in the Future Someday, your generation will be raising kids, running corporations and occupying high political office. When that day comes, which areas of American life will be better, the same or worse than today because of your generation? –3 = better –2 = same –1 = worse

50. Areas they felt they would do better: Technology Race Relations Areas they felt they would do about the same: Economy Schools Arts/Culture Foreign Affairs Areas they felt they couldn’t improve on: Government Family Life Religion Crime/Public Order

51. Findings They like faculty who are sensitive, flexible and intellectually challenging. They like working in teams but are not given a lot of opportunity to do so. Their job expectations immediately out of college are not as high as previous generations.

52. Findings They expect to have 4–6 jobs in their lifetime. They expect to someday acquire the lifestyle they grew up with. They expect to have a two-income family.

53. Findings Security and time for family are they two most important quality of life variables. Values are the most important thing passed on to them by their parents and the most important thing they will pass on to their children.

54. Findings When comparing their generation to their parents’ generation, they feel they will be able to improve technology and race relations. When comparing their generation to their parents’ generation, they feel they will not be able to improve on religion, family life and crime and public order.

55. For a copy: http://inside.cpcc.edu/planning Click on: Studies & Reports Title: Chamber Presentation Contact us:terri.manning@cpcc.eduterri.manning@cpcc.edu For a copy: http://inside.cpcc.edu/planning Click on: Studies & Reports Title: Chamber Presentation Contact us:terri.manning@cpcc.eduterri.manning@cpcc.edu