This week, I’m on a speaking tour at several corporations in the U.S. and abroad, training twenty-somethings and their managers on what recent college grads need to do in order to succeed in today’s business climate.  As a result of meeting hundreds of twenty-somethings over the course of the last few years and reading all of the research I can get my hands on, I’ve discovered some commonalities with respect to what twenty-somethings want out of work.  I’ve been sharing these with the managers who are desperate to recruit young professionals and keep them happy so that they'll keep bringing talent, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas to their organizations!  

The current generation of twenty-somethings, also known as the Millennials, is entrepreneurial and relishes challenging work and high levels of responsibility.  They are driven not so much by money, but by a sense of accomplishment.  They thrive on creative expression and want the flexibility to complete tasks in their own way, using their own innovative methods.  They’re learning-oriented, and if they’re doing something wrong, they want to know about it now so they can move on.

Research suggests that Millennials want to work for organizations that are civic-minded and socially responsible.  This means that the organization makes good products or services, gives back to the community, and is a good steward of the environment.  That same company should be inclusive and fair to all, with a culture that prizes diversity.  And of course, Millennials want as many training and growth opportunities as possible, and they’ll take a lower salary if a position allows them to do meaningful work immediately (as opposed to mind-numbing administrative tasks).

When it comes to managers, Millennials want to work for someone who treats them like colleagues rather than subordinates, and someone who guides with a friendly but firm hand.  This generation is big on open communication, so they want to give and receive feedback readily.  They want their ideas and opinions to be taken seriously, even if they don’t have years of experience under their belts to support them.  The Millennials’ ideal manager recognizes and fixes problems, and rewards top-notch performance in real-time.  

I’d really love some comments on this one.  If you’re twenty-something, please write in with any additional thoughts on what you think your generation wants out of work!