Minority Millenials At Work: What’s the Real Deal?

by Solange Lopes | Dec 18, 2014 | Career | 4 comments

Photo: blackamericaweb.com

A lot has been said, speculated, and written about millenials at work. By 2025, millenials will make up as much as 75% of the workforce. By now, everyone knows we’re “divas” too spoiled for the corporate world, too entitled despite bing fabulously creative, and that while antiquated traditional management techniques are the least effective with us, meditation (yes, meditation) is one way to empower us at work and in life. And it just happens this millennial generation is the most racially diverse generation the U.S. has ever seen, with 43% of this media-obsessed, self-entitled, ‘diva-licious” group being composed of Latinos and Black.

We own #Black Twitter, ready to hashtag any cultural issues we deem critical at the moment. As Black millenials, we’re graduating in larger numbers than any generation before us, we’re no exactly into religion, and we are unapologetically queer. Hispanic millenials have been garnering a whole new political and cultural power unseen before in the U.S. So as much as we know we’re running this and re-shaping the mold of society. Yet at work and in life, what’s the real deal when it comes to minority millenials?

1. We are more committed to equality and fairness: Definitely, this is the era of equality. From gender equality, to breaking, heck no, smashing the glass ceiling, to marriage equality, we are all about fairness, everywhere, for everyone.Faced with the recent events of Ferguson and New York, Black millenials are emerging as the “Movement Generation”. Don’t mess with us!

2. Yet, we don’t really understand racism, at least not in the same way our parents did! Across the board, we oppose affirmative action.According to an MTV survey, while 90% of us want be treated on an equal foot, 88% are not for affirmative action. And less than half of minorities surveyed (46%) admit to being raised in a household where race was discussed. We don’t believe race is an obstacle to success, as proven by President Obama’s election.

3. We’re lacking in the STEM fields: African-americans received only 7% of STEM bachelor degrees in 2009. The advent of organizations like “Girls Who Code” is changing this for the better though.

4. We can teach you a thing or two at work: Reverse mentoring is in! We understand social media and emerging technologies better than most. And while we can certainly use career mentoring ourselves, we tend to gravitate more towards personal rather than formal connections.

5. We are hustlers: Poppa Pope was right when telling Olivia Pope “We have to work twice as hard as them” to make it. “Them” being non-minorities. No matter our level of education, we are hustlers, and we are dope at it. Like the Mia Loves, Gabrielle Turnquests, and so many others of our generations.

6. We are entrepreneurs at heart! Whether it’s because we’ve quickly realized we don’t fit in the traditional work mold, or because we want to create work that really matters, millenials tend to be born-entrepreneurs. 67% of millenials say their goal is to start their own business, according to a Bentley University survey. For minority millenials, this has translated in numerous “natural haircare” businesses and an ensuing natural hair revolution, as well as business innovations of many kinds.

7. Last but not least, we are humanists! 51% of Millenials surveyed admit to preferring speaking in person, over texting and phone calls. We like flexibility, and prize our independence, happiness and fulfillment. And as Black millenials, we’re not too fond of mainstream media which tends to under-represent us. We’re…what’s that word again, human…

As minority millenials, despite all the negative stereotyping around, we are at work in our society. In a different, more empowered, definitely less conventional, but we’re at work, and making a difference!

The Corporate Sis.