Contrary to popular opinion, millennials (and ‘generation z’) are going to kill it when they run the world. But I hear people complain about our youth far too frequently. 

I have had the privilege of mentoring and getting to know college-aged youth as a graduate researcher and tedx organizer and mentor. Not only are millennials wise, they are passionate, tech-savy, and want to make a difference in the world. They are lucky to have ‘adolescence’ and a new period of self-actualization, but this isn’t bad- this is great! When millennials co-habitate, they learn to be considerate, financially savvy, and get along with others. When millennials wait to get married, they ensure they bring their own identities to their relationships. When they choose not to marry at all, they show they aren’t afraid to redefine relationships. Millennials have been exposed to the diversity and vastness of the world, and unlike generations before- they embrace it. Their curiosity and passions lead them to jump careers, and become jacks-of-all-trades, giving up the monotonous career-life their parents and grandparents suffered. They are constantly finding a way to uniquely solve a problem. Today’s youth find themselves competing to get into the best grade schools, high schools, and colleges in highly competitive college preparatory programs. These kids work really hard, endure a ton of extra pressure, and take more standardized tests than any generation before. I promise you, they are not lacking intellect. They are smarter, more resourceful, and more driven than the generations before them. The baby-boomers paved the way for revolution and millennials will take it all the way. I cannot wait for the next generation of youth to take leadership positions in society, and we will all watch as we all benefit from their unique perspectives and experiences.

 

Sure, some like selfies too much and rely on screen-time a lot, but don’t throw stones from glass houses. The youth in the 90’s were all grungy drug addicts or baggy-panted thugs that needed parental advisories on their music. 80’s teenagers worshiped sex, drugs, and rock and roll…I could go on and on. The moral of the story is, we have been complaining about our youth throughout history, but that was us not so long ago. Remember that believing in someone does more good than writing them off, and people will rise to the occasion. Find reasons not to write millennials off, they deserve it.

 

Image of myself with two former TEDxUF student organizer mentees; Claudia Bell and Maria Estrada at TEDFest in Brooklyn, NYC. May, 2017.