Our parents told us that if we wanted to become a school principal, we must be a teacher first. Or that if we aspire to one day become a CEO, we should start from the bottom of the office food chain. It’s always been a one-way career ladder that we must climb up in order to get to our dreams.
But the millennial generation, which makes up more than a third of today’s work force, has a different perspective when it comes to work.
Several surveys reveal that Gen Y employees prefer companies that place a premium on workers welfare, flexible schedule and building a community and a sense of purpose. According to research and data provider PayScale, this generation’s young professionals value work/life balance more than their older folks, and look for jobs that offer opportunities for career advancement.
Perhaps these priorities are the reason why the oft-studied generation are tagged as ambitious and entitled job-hoppers who go from one company to another whenever they see fit.
But good salary and job security are also important for millennials, according to a multiple-country survey of ManPower Group. That while purpose is a priority, they are ready to move up with the same employer as long as they are provided with the benefits that will maintain their standard of living.
But are these factors enough of a reason for them to veer away from their dream jobs? Are dream jobs still being achieved? Young Life asked 14 Filipino millennials on their career path and whether they will still pursue their aspirations.
“My current job is senior editorial executive in a business intelligence company for financial institutions, but to have a research firm is my dream. My current job allows me to explore different set of skills, I will just have to work harder, learn from my work experience and save enough capital to start my dream business.” -Angelito Bautista Jr., 26
“Now that I am working as PR and Media Relations professional, I realized that I could have pursued being a dentist. I don’t know [if I’m going to pursue it] but maybe I’m just scared to start all over again, I’m not sure if it’s a great move for me right now. I am uncertain now that I am in the busy world of PR. PR has been my comfort zone for five years and it has been my life now.” -Pao Oga, 27
“I’m an HR assistant of an Ad agency, but my dream jobs are to become a filmmaker, court-side NBA reporter and an NBI agent. I’m willing to do everything to achieve at least one of my dream jobs. In my opinion, it is never too late to achieve anything in life. Although I know that I will start from the bottom or take a different path, the things on the way this path can teach me to develop and enhance my skills. Pursuing the things that you love to do is for me considered a dream come true.” -Felicia Moira Longman, 22
“Right now, I work as a community manager cum social media manager for a New York-based company. Before I dreamt of becoming a top notch journalist because I relished the thought of seeing my name on a byline. I think I made the biggest life-changing decision when I chose to detour from the path to becoming a journalist. Now that I’ve already made a decent set of credentials and a strong understanding of my present role in my chosen field, I think I no longer see myself going back.” -Candido Villanueva III, 25
“I’m a shift supervisor for a coffee shop and dreams of becoming a store manager. I believe I’m on the right track. My passion for coffee is still overflowing and I think that’s my secret weapon why I really love this job.” -Samuelle Tubiera, 24
“I’m a Public Relations practitioner but my lifelong dream is to be a fiction writer. I would [pursue my dream] if I could, and if there’s an open door/window for me, I would probably grab that chance.” -Kristine Mae Bernardo, 28
“[I’m] content editor for a startup online travel agency. [I wanted] to be a journalist when I was growing up. To be honest about it, I’d prefer my current job as it has opened me to an industry which is very much in keeping with the times. We live in the digital era right now. And I feel that I am exactly where I want to be.” -Anonymous, 33
“I’m currently an accountant which is in line with my dream job of being an auditor. Right now, I don’t have any plans to change my job but if there will be a chance I will pursue a different career which is Computer Programming.” -Ray-Mart Sumilang, 24
“I’m currently a contract illustrator for Facebook. My dream job is to do visual development for an animated TV series or an animated film. I’m still very interested in pursuing my dream job. In my free time I’m taking up workshops and doing personal work that would hopefully take me there.” -Niccolo Balce, 35
“Being a Communications graduate, I can honestly say that [being] part of the Media Affairs Group of one of the country’s top conglomerates is my dream job. Not only do I get to utilize the things I learned in college, but I also get to work for and learn from people who I believe are the best in the field.” -Anonymous, 27
“I am a PR practitioner but my dream was to become an international journalist covering news, politics and war in the Middle East, etc. Probably I will no longer pursue that dream because there are things that are just not meant to be and I realized that I have a different calling.” -Anonymous, 26
“Before I wanted to be a sound engineer, but I stumbled upon photography and realized I love it better. They say it’s never too late to learn something new, but as of now, I’m enjoying my current job and I’m pretty satisfied with it. I’m not closing doors, though.” -Roumelle Sabroso, 30
“I’m a PR practitioner but when I was very young, I wanted to be a businesswoman. In high school, I wanted to become a journalist, which I did after graduating in college. However, a few years ago, I realized that my calling is to build and foster genuine relationships. These days, my thoughts gravitate toward doing what I am doing now, while planning to have my own business on the side. Perhaps this a thing of my generation—wanting several things all at the same time.” -Anonymous, 28
“I’m a radio DJ but I want to be a director or a pilot. I’d love to pursue directing but I don’t want to give up my current job, so I guess I’ll just let my dream job be my greatest ‘what if’.” -Yen Mempin, 27
This casual survey reveals that millennials are adaptable to their current work situations. While some are on the right track toward their goals, some have embraced the different path that they have taken—and making it work for them.
Gen Y employees remain optimistic about their future—whether to move on or move up from their current jobs. They are willing to take detours to get to their destinations, or take side trips before finally going to their last pit stop. The responses also show that millennials are not all crazy job-hoppers, and given the circumstances they are willing to stay in a company.
Forget about climbing up the career ladder or traversing a one-way career path. Millennials are all about branching out, gaining experience and broadening their horizons.