By Leigh Waldman
The generation born between 1981 and 2000 is often stereotyped as being self-absorbed, entitled, having a “me-first” attitude in the workplace and being attached to their phones.
But many millennials firmly reject these stereotypes, and some Texas Tech students took the time to explain why.
Tony Nwankwo
Tony Nwankwo
The 22-year-old senior at Tech says he thinks this stereotype is outdated and perpetuated by an older generation.
“They think they’re better than us because they’re older and have more experience than us,” Nwankwo said.
He thinks millennials are more adaptable and pragmatic than the older generations.
Nwankwo believes his generation should be described as people who “take what the world gives you and make it into something positive instead of just complaining.”
Kirsten Bosworth
Kirsten Bosworth
Kirsten Bosworth, 21, says she disagrees with the stereotype about millennials, thanks to her parents.
“They raised me to be hardworking, honest, and I just really stand by those beliefs,” Bosworth said.
Bosworth said she is not alone in this attitude.
“I surround myself with hardworking and selfless people that work for every single thing they deserve and earn,” she added.
Kyle Ward
Kyle Ward
Kyle Ward agrees with Bosworth that millennials work hard and should not be underestimated.
“A lot of millennials don’t have enough work experience,” Ward said. “But a lot of people are just ready to jump into any challenges and chances they have, so they’re just waiting to have that chance.”
The 21-year-old believes millennials are also very open to learning new things.
Shelby Cason
Shelby Cason
Shelby Cason, a 21-year-old environmental engineering student, believes that even though she is a millennial, she is very far from the generational stereotype.
“I think I’m very hard-working,” she said. “You know, I’m an engineering student, so I have to stay with my studies and I have to work very, very hard.”
Cason said that in her line of work and study “laziness is not an option.”
But the description of millennials as tolerant seems to fit her beliefs.
“I like to think of myself as very open-minded, willing to hear both sides of a story,” Cason said.
Check out more reasons why millennials disagree with the negative stereotypes about their generation.
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