Optometry Divas Podcast – Episode 2 – Myths and Facts about Millennials

In our latest episode, we dove into some of the common myths and facts surrounding the Millennial generation. Here’s a quick recap of what we discussed:

Facts:

• The term Millennials was coined by authors William Strauss and Neil Howe in 1987 when children born in 1982 were entering preschool. They linked this generation to the approaching new millennium and wrote about them in their books Generations: The History of America’s Future, 1584 to 2069 (1991) and Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation (2000).
• Different organizations define Millennials using varying birth ranges. For example, the United States Chamber of Commerce used 1980–1999, while the United States Census Bureau used 1982–2000 in a 2015 news release. However, there is no official consensus on the exact start and end dates for Millennials.
• According to Pew Research, in 2016, there were approximately 71 million Millennials in the U.S.

Myths:

• Myth #1: Millennials have an entitlement mindset.
  Reality: This is not exclusive to Millennials. Individuals from all generations can exhibit entitlement, and it has more to do with personal attitudes than the era they were born in.
• Myth #2: Millennials have unrealistic expectations about their expertise and compensation when they enter the workforce.
  Reality: Many new graduates, regardless of generation, have unrealistic expectations because they are unfamiliar with industry norms. After gaining some experience, most adjust their expectations accordingly.
• Myth #3: Millennials are less willing to make personal sacrifices for career advancement.
  Reality: This is also a myth. Some Millennials work long hours right after graduation, while others may choose a different work-life balance depending on their personal circumstances. The level of sacrifice someone is willing to make is based on their individual situation, not their birth year.

Optometry Divas Community

At Optometry Divas, our mission is to empower, connect, and promote the success of women ODs. We discussed that while the time period in which someone is born plays a role, it is not the sole factor that shapes their personality or life choices. You have the power to change your life, no matter which generation you belong to. Other factors, like gender, socioeconomic status, birth order, and country of origin, are just as significant.

We also emphasized that members of any group—whether generational, cultural, or otherwise—are unique individuals. Generation labels can offer some insights, but they shouldn’t define who we are or how we are judged. The environments we grew up in, such as the technology we used, the geopolitical events we witnessed, and the societal messages we received, all contribute to the expectations we bring into the workplace. Our panel agreed that people should be evaluated based on their individuality, not the year they were born.

Next Show:

Mark your calendars! Our next show will air Sunday, April 28 at 4:00 pm EST. Join us live in our Facebook Group at Optometry Divas Facebook Group.

We want to hear from you!

What topics would you like to see covered in future episodes of Optometry Divas Talk? Drop your suggestions in the comments below!