What Does a Millenial's Career Search Look Like?

Is it "funemployment" or "wiseemployment"?  It depends on your perspective.There is some bad press out there about Millenials - "Generation Ys" - who are twenty-somethings just entering the workforce. If you are a Baby Boomer or a "Gen Xer" and you hire or manage a Millenial, you may be questioning their commitment, drive and ambition.

One Millenial said he would rather ride out the down economy by supplementing bartending with golf or travel until the economy turns around.  "Since there is a slim chance of getting a job in my field, I may as well get out and see the world.  I'm only 22. Taking a year or two off won't hurt as long as I make enough to pay my bills." Are Millenials slackers or intelligent optimists trying to balance practicality with purpose and meaning?

When they do get a job they want to be promoted to SVP within the year. Reality check required for sure! And yet, is there a balance point between recognizing they do need certain experiences AND that the world has changed and sometimes checking all the boxes to progress in a linear fashion may not be necessary?

Are all these attributes generational characteristics or is there a different consciousness or attitude coming into play as the entire workforce sorts through the revolution of technology, its ramifications - different business models and skillsets required - and the disillusionment with the corporate ladder? Who really expects to spend 15 or 30 years at the same company these days?

Millenials 'work to live' versus their parents 'living to work.'  I'd say this is right alignment with yourself regardless of age. Your career search must start and end with you. If you don't have a life and perspective on where your work fits into it, where are you?