They grew up with the war on terrorism and the Great Recession.
But experts say technology is what has shaped this year’s graduating high school and college seniors, both part of the Millennial Generation.
They’ve grown up with laptops, high-speed Internet and cellphones.
And if you want to communicate with them, you’d better know how to text, tweet, Skype or Facebook.
“It’s very exciting to work with them because they’re very technical savvy,” said Ann Adams, director of the Office of Career Services at Saint Martin’s University.
According to a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the top job-producing college majors right now are accounting, finance, engineering, computer science and business administration.
In addition, business leaders, especially in the Northwest, say there’s a shortage of applicants with a background in “STEM,” an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
“We tell students now that math and science are kind of the gateway courses to everything,” said Sharon LaBuda, a counselor at Timberline High School. “They open so many doors in terms of fields you can go into.”
Surveys in Thurston County indicate that there’s also a need for workers in the health care, education and counseling fields.
“Those are the careers that seem to be most in demand,” Adams said.
A stagnant economy continues to hound the local job market. And young people especially are having a hard time finding work, said Jim Vleming, a regional labor market economist with the state Employment Security Department.
“I think it’s going to be kind of a tough summer,” he said. “I think there’s still a lot of uncertainty in this economy.”
That’s why Adams recommends that students beef up their résumés with internships and volunteer experience. Today’s jobs aren’t being landed with online resumes; they’re coming from good old-fashioned personal referrals and networking, she said.
Young workers appear to be willing to change jobs more often than past generations, said Ken Tabbutt, interim provost at The Evergreen State College. And one of the keys to their career success will need to be adaptability.
“I think the students who are coming out of college right now who have a broader education, who are able to change with the changing job markets, are going to do better in the long run,” Tabbutt said.
Adams said Millennials also are more likely to figure out a way to make a job fit their needs, such as working flexible schedules and telecommuting.
They’re also looking for work that’s satisfying to them.
“They want their work to be meaningful,” Adams said.
Lisa Pemberton: 360-754-5433
lpemberton@theolympian.com
