Millennials and Generation X : The Career Debate

So I recently read an awesome infographic from Ferratum Money, all about the career choices and differences between Millennials and Generation X.

Millennials and Generation X : The Career Debate

I’ve always thought of myself as a millennial, and even though I’m probably not (37 and growing older each day haha!) , I definitely associate myself with a lot of their ideals and attitudes towards the world and life itself. When I began reading this fantastic infographic from Ferratum I must admit I felt quite smug with the results of their survey.

There’s so much negativity when it comes to Millenials, from the idea that they’re workshy to being branded the ‘snowflake generation’, it’s utterly exhausting to see older generations brand the future of our world in such a harsh and disrespectful way.

The survey offers really interesting statistics, based on a group of people aged 18-34 (see, I just missed out!). Here are a few of these interesting statistics:

• 3 in 5 millennials want to start their own business
• 69% of millennials wish they had more access to training at work
• 55% of millennials are planning to start a new course in the next 12 months, most popular course being business and management
• Millennials are twice as likely to be willing to work weekends in a second job compared to Gen X
• 30% of Gen X are unwilling to take the risk of setting up their own business with “fear of failure” as the main reason

You can see the full infographic here.

I think it’s utterly fascinating to see these figures, and I feel very attune to the millennials, from starting my own business (my blog and beyond) to wanting to constantly learn. Before Christmas I worked through a course with Aby from Mamapreneur Revolution and it was ace, it totally helped me start 2019 in a positive and focused way, I’ve also just signed up to a course recently to launch my freelance writing career and it feels good!

I’m not so sure about a second job on the weekend though 😉 The research goes on to say that millennials have a poor work/life balance and I can see why! I actually feel sad that this is the world and life they have to live in, working 24/7 to survive.

It’s strange how society has boxed millennials into a weak and work-shy package, when the statistics prove the exact opposite. I guess society does this with all kinds of people, but now there’s some statistics to argue back against this negativity.

I also totally understand why Generation X are less likely to start a new business, it’s a pretty scary affair and surely this reaction is based on being on this planet for a bit longer and seeing both sides of the situation. We all have our positivity and hope knocked out of it at certain times in our lives, but maybe we should take on the millenials more positive outlook and start living our dreams?

Do you think this research is different to your own personal thoughts on millennials and Generation X’s attitudes towards career choices?