Those who know me well understand my feelings about Millennials (those born from approximately 1980 to the early 2000s) in the workplace environment.
Millenials, sometimes known as “Generation Me,” generally show a sense of entitlement and have grown up being taught at every moment exactly how special they are. Millenials didn’t keep score in their youth sports and everyone received a medal just for participating. Constantly needing a pat on the back for completing the simplest of tasks, this generation of over 80 million people has now entered the workforce.
This creates numerous workforce challenges as most Boomer and Generation X managers don’t keep medals on hand to encourage their Millennial workforce to show up on time or to complete the simplest of workplace tasks.
Three years ago, the Partnership added a new category to our Annual Success Awards: Young Professional of the Year. By definition, those folks are Millenials and collectively, they helped to shatter the perception of Millenials as a generation of entitled slackers who live in their parents’ basement and expect a pat on the back for remembering to breathe.
This award category recognizes individuals (35 years or younger) for excellent professional performance, engagement & community involvement and spotlights individual contributions to the public good through volunteerism, funding or community participation.
And unlike the traditional entitlement displayed by some in their generation, the two past Young Professional of the Year winners have been nothing short of amazing.
Consider Megan Gilman, owner of Active Energies and Young Professional of the Year in 2012. Megan is a board member of Holy Cross Energy and the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability (and who helped lead the recent merger with Walking Mountains Science Center), as well as a small business owner who has grown her local business into an international operation in a few short years.
Consider Matt Teeters of Alpine Bank and Young Professional of the Year in 2013. Matt was the board chair of the Eagle River Youth Coalition and a board member of other local nonprofits, in addition to being recently promoted by Alpine Bank to oversee their expansion into the Denver market.
These Millenials – among many others in our community (I’d be remiss not to include the wonderful staff at the Partnership) – are helping to shatter the idea that this generation is entitled and doesn’t work hard. As point of fact, 20 individuals where nominated for the Young Professional of the Year award – the most nominations of any single category in the Success Awards.
Finalists include: Scott Conklin from Eagle Valley Land Trust, Michael Holton from Vail Valley Medical Center and Coen Wijdicks from Steadman Philippon Research Institute.
Consider Scott, who has helped the 2013 Nonprofit of the Year Eagle Valley Land Trust grow their conservation easements and community outreach efforts via improved communications and engagement with the Vail Resorts Echo program. In addition, Scott is a member of the Eagle County Planning Commission and is the president of the EagleVail Community Garden.
Or consider Michael, who helped develop Pink Vail – the world’s largest ski day to conquer cancer and who helped drive business to Howard Head Sports Medicine and Shaw Regional Cancer Center in an increasingly competitive regional and national marketplace. In addition, Michael is a member of the Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Council and a founder of the Vail Valley Young Professionals group.
Add to the mix the accomplishments of Coen, who contributes to the valley’s health & wellness reputation via research and education through a variety of publications and research presentations across the globe. In 2013 alone, Coen was responsible for a variety of international awards for research, numerous presentations at conferences and served as a mentor for university undergraduates. In addition, Coen is a member of the Education and Public Outreach Committee, which connects local 5-8th grade students to science curriculum.
The accomplishments and community involvement of these community leaders is nothing less than impressive, regardless of age. Each is an ambassador to our community and displays exceptional leadership. It’s almost enough to make an old Generation X guy like me appreciate the spirit and accomplishments that Millennials bring to our valley and our workforce.
We invite you to attend the 11th Annual Success Awards on Friday, January 31 at the Vilar Performing Arts Center from 6-8pm to help celebrate the success of these young professionals and the rest of the business community.
Chris Romer is president & CEO of the Vail Valley Partnership