Career Journey
|
Here's What Twentysomethings Desire in Workplace Culture
August 2023 
As Part of our 8th Annual Focus on Youth Special Issue
By Jillian Crocetta
Twentysomethings have seen this world shake… Despite being the workforce’s youngest generation, we are also uniquely bonded by the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted our introduction to the working world. Most of us were just graduating college, beginning our first jobs, or, unfortunately, having our first experience with being laid off. Therefore, the pandemic has greatly shaped the way we view and value our workplace culture. |
Special Issue Sponsors:
|
Below are some of those very things that we twentysomethings value:
Work-Life Balance
This has become a ubiquitous term that means something different for everyone. In general, twentysomethings want a workplace that values and promotes flexibility and encourages a separation between their work and personal lives. We may be deterred from industries that have the reputation of working long into the night and weekend hours, though of course, this is not a universal sentiment. We also generally embrace the “hybrid” schedule of going into the office a couple of times a week while working remotely for the rest, a result of the pandemic’s impact on workplace culture. This schedule gives us hours back into our days, as we no longer factor the time it takes to commute to and from work.
Flexibility
Twentysomethings value flexibility in the workplace, which may be something we bring up with our managers once we feel that trust is beginning to form. For one, we value flexibility of where we can work. “Flexibility is huge for me,” my friend Celia states. “My manager is great about giving us approval to work remotely when we are away.” Flexibility around those typical in-office days allows twentysomethings, like Celia, to travel and still be available to work. We also seek flexibility in which hours we work, such as the ability to start at 10 a.m. to attend a morning yoga session, leave the office an hour early to pick up a child up from school, or break during a “non-lunch” hour to attend a therapy session.
Mentorship
Work-Life Balance
This has become a ubiquitous term that means something different for everyone. In general, twentysomethings want a workplace that values and promotes flexibility and encourages a separation between their work and personal lives. We may be deterred from industries that have the reputation of working long into the night and weekend hours, though of course, this is not a universal sentiment. We also generally embrace the “hybrid” schedule of going into the office a couple of times a week while working remotely for the rest, a result of the pandemic’s impact on workplace culture. This schedule gives us hours back into our days, as we no longer factor the time it takes to commute to and from work.
Flexibility
Twentysomethings value flexibility in the workplace, which may be something we bring up with our managers once we feel that trust is beginning to form. For one, we value flexibility of where we can work. “Flexibility is huge for me,” my friend Celia states. “My manager is great about giving us approval to work remotely when we are away.” Flexibility around those typical in-office days allows twentysomethings, like Celia, to travel and still be available to work. We also seek flexibility in which hours we work, such as the ability to start at 10 a.m. to attend a morning yoga session, leave the office an hour early to pick up a child up from school, or break during a “non-lunch” hour to attend a therapy session.
Mentorship
|
Twentysomethings want to build a connection with managers, coworkers, or even the CEO of the company, so we can learn from them. “I really look for a culture of mentorship,” Meghan says. And the culture is key; we are looking for companies that foster growth, rather than make us ask for it. Even if you value yourself as a self-starter, as many other twentysomethings do, a guiding hand through the promotional pipeline, especially from a manager or a team that really believes in you, makes all the difference, especially when you are just starting out in your career. When it comes down to it, we want our idea of succession to align with the company’s values.
|
"Even if you value yourself as a self-starter, as many other twentysomethings do, a guiding hand through the promotional pipeline, especially from a manager or a team that really believes in you, makes all the difference, especially when you are just starting out in your career." ~ J.C. |
Transparency
Wage transparency has become vital in the job search for twentysomethings in light of many states and cities requiring the addition of salary ranges on job postings. This gives some agency back to the job seeker, especially those who have been affected by wage gaps. It also helps us, as job seekers and women in the workforce, to better understand our worth.
And transparency is not only related to our compensation. Twentysomethings also value transparency in our day-to-day dialogue with our managers. We appreciate the honest conversations about our potential for promotion, career trajectories, and even areas of improvement, all of which can help us ascend the corporate ladder. “I really like that there is a clear promotion trajectory in my company,” my friend Olivia shares. Twentysomethings are finding the courage to ask about growth opportunities, as early as the interview stage, and will continue these conversations with managers throughout our employment.
Stability
We twentysomethings have seen this world go through inordinate challenges. And after witnessing the layoffs and the “Great Resignation” that followed the pandemic, we are ready to find some stability. Therefore, we may be attracted to companies and industries that aren’t regularly laying off their workers, and we are also doing our research to find companies that are expanding. Stability aligns with flexible yet routine work schedules and consistent communication with management and team leaders concerning your career development and aspirations. Stability gives you the confidence to grow in your workplace.
More than anything, we twentysomethings trust our gut. From the moment we click apply, we listen to our better judgement and our intuition to tell us if the job we have aligns with our specific needs. If not, we are finding the courage to speak up and ask the right questions.
Wage transparency has become vital in the job search for twentysomethings in light of many states and cities requiring the addition of salary ranges on job postings. This gives some agency back to the job seeker, especially those who have been affected by wage gaps. It also helps us, as job seekers and women in the workforce, to better understand our worth.
And transparency is not only related to our compensation. Twentysomethings also value transparency in our day-to-day dialogue with our managers. We appreciate the honest conversations about our potential for promotion, career trajectories, and even areas of improvement, all of which can help us ascend the corporate ladder. “I really like that there is a clear promotion trajectory in my company,” my friend Olivia shares. Twentysomethings are finding the courage to ask about growth opportunities, as early as the interview stage, and will continue these conversations with managers throughout our employment.
Stability
We twentysomethings have seen this world go through inordinate challenges. And after witnessing the layoffs and the “Great Resignation” that followed the pandemic, we are ready to find some stability. Therefore, we may be attracted to companies and industries that aren’t regularly laying off their workers, and we are also doing our research to find companies that are expanding. Stability aligns with flexible yet routine work schedules and consistent communication with management and team leaders concerning your career development and aspirations. Stability gives you the confidence to grow in your workplace.
More than anything, we twentysomethings trust our gut. From the moment we click apply, we listen to our better judgement and our intuition to tell us if the job we have aligns with our specific needs. If not, we are finding the courage to speak up and ask the right questions.
|
Jillian Crocetta is a New York City-based human resources professional and freelance writer/editor who enjoys writing in the areas of identity, place, empowerment, and health & wellness. Jillian is pursuing an MFA in creative nonfiction at Queens College. In addition to the articles she has written for Sanctuary, her work has been published in Guesthouse and New Voices, among other publications.
|
