Engaging young talent to boost community
Stereotypes isolate. They are used to take shortcuts in decision making — fearbased ways to protect ourselves.
They do not serve us in collaborative community-building efforts.
UpDayton’s mission is to attract, retain and engage young talent in the Dayton region. As the director of this nonprofit, I am eager to break down the stereotypes that threaten to divide our efforts and engage you in our work to build Dayton.
We have all heard the stereotypes about the millennial generation. Citizens currently 23 to 38 years old have been called entitled and lazy, for challenging leadership to put people over profit and keeping an open mind about change.
But I believe we are truly eager to see change — we want purpose in our work, and we desperately need the knowledge from the experienced leaders ahead of us to actually measure and sustain long-term impact.
Millennials are currently the largest segment in the workforce, a segment that will account for 75 percent of all workers in the next 10 years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The youth unemployment rate is close to three times that of the national average. Some reasons include a lack of experience and older workers who have delayed retirement.
Research reveals information about the challenges employers face when recruiting and hiring a younger generation into the workplace. The younger generation is driven by more than money — they seek a sense of purpose and a work/life balance.
But we also know that engaged employees who do have this sense of purpose and who feel valued within their company experience higher levels of productive work behaviors.
How do our city’s leaders ensure their companies and organizations appeal to these unique generational characteristics they often misunderstand? Will we keep playing into the generational stereotypes that divide us? Or will we realize that our strengths and weaknesses complement one another?
It is time we begin strategically working together. Let’s take the time to slow down our assumptions over behaviors and listen to one another.
UpDayton has two programs that need the support of our existing workforce and community leaders.
The Gem City Adventure Series invites employees to discover and engage in the best of Dayton culture, community and adventure. This program connects interns, recent graduates, relocated employees and all early-career professionals to this community of amazing opportunities.
The UpDayton Project Incubator provides early leadership development through a series of nine workshops that turn a community project idea into a reality.
Show you value your employees by paying for them to attend the Gem City Adventure Series.
Show you value the community by leading a workshop or supporting a community project as part of your corporate social responsibility work.
Show you believe in UpDayton’s mission by reaching out to me to offer advice or monetary support.
UpDayton is just one piece of the puzzle, operating with a single parttime employee. We cannot accomplish our mission all on our own.
Together we can find ways to create multi-generational mentorship for a strong succession of future leaders. We look forward to working with you.