If you’re a millennial, you’ve likely heard stereotypes — and they’re not all positive. Ideas about millennials range from laziness to entitlement. But a whole group of people can’t be lumped into one, and nobody can choose when or where they’re born.
In 2021, there were 72 million millennials in the United States alone. They make up more of the population than any other generation, with baby boomers at 21%, Generation X at 20%, millennials at 22%, and Generation Z at 21%. With such a diverse group of people, generational differences stand out.
As a millennial, you’ve been dealt a difficult hand, especially entering the workforce. You may ask yourself: How can I choose my life path as a millennial?
Millennials comprise a large demographic, and not everyone has the same workforce experience — but that doesn’t mean they haven’t struggled as a generation.
Media polls suggest that older millennials would’ve made different choices with their career path if they carried the same wisdom back then as they do now. Recession-proof careers change as years go by. And the current workforce has been compared to whitewater: volatile and quickly transforming.
There’s no way to predict what will happen, but thinking about the future can help you choose a life path. Even as a millennial, it’s not too late to carve your path into one that you love, whether strengthening the one you’re already on or forging an entirely new journey.
Let’s talk about what it means to be a millennial, how millennial problems differ from other generations, and how to use your unique wisdom to create the career path you want.
What’s a millennial?
Millennials are people born between 1981 and 1996. In 2023, this is anyone aged 26 to 42. According to the Pew Research Center, the millennial demographic represents 1/3 of the U.S. job force and the largest portion of the population in the U.S.
Before millennials came Generation X, born from 1965–1980, and baby boomers from 1946–1964. And after them is Generation Z, born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s.
How are millennials different from previous generations?
According to a Pew Research report, here are a few ways the millennial generation is unique:
1. More educated: Millennials have significantly more education than their grandparents. As of 2019, 39% of people ages 25–37 had a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 25% of baby boomers.
2. More diverse: Although Generation Z will be the most diverse adult generation, millennials are far more diverse than their parents. In the United States, 82% of baby boomers are white (according to the 1970 census), but only 52% of millennials are white (according to the 1970 census).
3. More employed: Despite the challenges of entering the job market during the Great Recession, millennial employment is relatively high (73% and 72% of men and women are in the workforce, respectively).
Why’s it so difficult to be a millennial?
Millennials are statistically more educated, diverse, and employed than their predecessors. But that doesn’t mean they don’t struggle.
According to the same Pew Research report cited above, millennials are more likely to start a family later in life, have a harder time purchasing a home, and have poorer financial wellness. Here are a few reasons why:
Stagnant wages
In the last few decades, wages have changed significantly. The wealth gap is larger, and increases in productivity aren’t met with matching wage increases.
This means that, in general, people are doing more work for less pay, which makes it difficult for millennials to build savings and make large purchases (like homes). And despite the stereotype, millennials job-hop just as much as Generation X did before them.
High cost of living
The cost of living has gone up disproportionately to regular inflation. In 2000, the average American household spent $5,000 on annual food expenditures; in 2021, they paid closer to $8,300. This is a significant jump, especially considering wage inequality.
Homes have also become more expensive, regardless of whether you rent or own. In 1990, the average home value was $119,000, compared to $528,400 in late 2022. That’s a 444% increase. And from 2021 to 2022 alone, average rent in the United States jumped by $1,100.
Debt
Millennials are an educated generation, but it comes at a cost. According to a 2022 survey from Real Estate Witch, the average millennial was $117,000 in debt — not including mortgages.
The bulk of this number is student loan debt, and the same Real Estate Witch report showed that 1 in 4 millennials regretted taking out student loans. Many millennials are going through a quarter-life crisis, and student loans contribute greatly to this stress.
As well, 79% of under-30 millennials see student debt as a problem, and nearly half say they or someone in their household has student debt. Student loan forgiveness is an increasingly popular idea, but 31% of Americans still oppose it.
Qualities of millennial workers
Despite their reputation, millennials work just as hard as previous generations.
If you’re feeling unsure about your life path (or having an existential crisis), reflect on your best qualities, both as a millennial and as an individual. You’re facing a lot of challenges, but under those challenges, you can grow and become a better worker — and person.
Here are some characteristics that make millennials great employees:
What’s a life path?
A life path is the direction that your life moves based on the decisions you make. Some people make intentional decisions to guide them along a path or toward a destination, while others might go with the flow.
The time and social context you were born into affects your journey, and for all the reasons described above, millennial life paths can be difficult to navigate. When you choose a path of life, you evaluate your personal values, natural strengths and weaknesses, and skills.
Knowing yourself can help you choose a path that works, but sometimes, it isn’t so straightforward — especially if you’re struggling with debt or looking for a new job.
Everyone’s life path will look different because everyone is unique. We all have varying experiences and privileges, and we’ll navigate our lives from different places. With intentionality and mindfulness, it is possible to align your life path with your goals.
5 tips for choosing your path
If you would like to take control, find your passion, and live life with a greater sense of purpose, start thinking about the things that matter to you. Here are a few tips for uncovering your life path:
1. Discover your passions
Liking your job leads you to work harder and improve, so if you’re on the hunt for a new career, start with the things you care about. Explore your options within an industry that interests you to find a job you love.
For example, if you’re passionate about animals, you could become a veterinary assistant, petsitter, or biologist, depending on your background.
Remember: it’s okay if you’re not working a dream job. There are lots of other ways to explore your passions. Try taking a class or starting a club with friends. The joy from other parts of your life will bleed into your career.
2. Take a risk
When we get too comfortable in any area of our lives, staying there feels like the easiest choice. But your comfort zone isn’t always good. You might stay in a toxic relationship that doesn’t serve you or continue an undesirable career path just because change is scary.
Taking risks pushes us to grow and thrive. When making life choices, don’t be afraid of jumping into the deep end or pursuing a life path that falls outside the norm. Even if it doesn’t go the way you planned, taking the risk can still bring you confidence, build resilience, and bring new opportunities and experiences.
3. Trust your gut
When considering your life path, trusting your gut is more than a saying. Sometimes, having too much information confuses the brain, and instincts are what make the right choice.
Trust what your body tells you as you think through your values and worldview. Measure out your instincts with your rational side by examining your skills and experiences and how they can push your desires forward.
For example, consider your current job. Can you picture yourself there forever? How does that prospect make you feel? If you aren’t excited, chances are you’d be happier switching positions — or even changing careers. Career choice is about both practicality and satisfaction.
4. Own your decisions
Fear of what other people think, or the anxiety of letting someone down, shouldn’t stop you from leading your life authentically. Your loved ones often know you well, and their input is valuable. But if you feel like their opinions are holding you back, remember that your needs are more important.
Choose trusted people who will give you objective opinions with your best interests at heart, like a close friend or therapist. This is also a topic that coaching can help you address. At the end of the day, you know your true self best. Try not to compare yourself to others. Do what makes you happy.
5. Prioritize your personal life
Even though millennials are sometimes encouraged to embrace hustle culture, according to a global poll, 95% of millennials say work-life balance is important to them. And working too much is detrimental to your health, both mental and physical.
Develop a work-life balance that gives you time for your professional work and personal pursuits. Only a few hours of free time can reduce stress and improve your mood. When you pursue the things that are important to you without the pressure of an obligation, you tap into your true self, which will help you find the right life path.
Choosing the right path
Learning how to choose your own life path as a millennial can be a hard process. For people of every generation and age group, it’s a lifelong job, not something that happens overnight.
It takes intentionality, patience, and a commitment to yourself. Finding your path as a young adult may be difficult, but a small step forward is still a step forward.
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