'Screw The Corner Office' is a presentation that gives an inside look on what Millennials define as success. Do we have the same idea our parents did? Hell no! How is that definition changing and what does that mean for the workplace and the American Dream.

1. Screw The Corner Office
A look at Millennials & their viewpoints on success

2. SUCCESS
means a lot of different things to a lot of different people

3. For some, it’s being able to
take a private jet from your
LA job back to your home in
Upper East Side, NY.
To others, it’s spending time
with your family and not
having to worry about how
you’ll support them.

4. Although there are various meanings of success,
a lot of it stems from one root:
MONEY

5. Money rules the world.
People fight / kill / go to war / leave their
country / work three jobs / and bend over
backwards all because of money.

6. While America may be the worst offender of taking
money for granted, the 2008 recession changed
the economy forever and caused an awakening
within the newest generation.

7. After The Great Recession,
Millennials started to open their eyes.
graduate high school
be well rounded
go to college
maintain a high GPA
get internships
become a leader in an organization, etc.
We soon realized that even though we’re doing all the things people told us to do:
things aren’t going to turn out the way we were taught to believe.

8. • Is getting $75,000 debt really worth it if I can’t even get a job?
• Do I want to work 80 hours a week for a job that makes me unhappy?
• What do I really want out of life?
We started asking ourselves:
With those questions, and a lot of
self-reflection, came a whole new
outlook on life and a brand new
definition of success.

9. @kelly_ashworth: I think GenY will be less focused on $ which failed
for many of our parents and more focused on happiness.
@steve_campbell: Gen Y doesn’t necessarily care about following a
set path to find happiness.
@Outlaw_Inc: GenY’s success = having the freedom and flexibility to
pursue passions, have great experiences.
@NahumG: Let’s see..if the American Dream is supposed to be living
on your own with a career and great family I’m on my way, but it’s
taking a LOT longer than I thought it would take to get there.
@E_Hanson: We’re more focused on doing what truly makes us
happy and experiencing everything we possibly can.
@daniellewriter: For me, success is liking my job, not how big my
paycheck is.
Millennial Marketing, 2010
What Does Success Mean to Millennials?

10. Nothing on that list mentions recognition, money,
fame, wealth, or anything along those lines because
Millennials know there is more to life than that…

11. …And when thinking about life in America it’s hard not to imagine,
THE AMERICAN DREAM
Retirement
Getting a Good Job
Going to College
Marriage
Kids

12. But what about the 7% of Millennials who identify as
part of the LGBTQ community and aren’t even
allowed to get married in some states?
ABC News/Washington Post, 2013
International Business Times, 2015

13. Or the women and men who don’t want
kids and choose to focus on their careers
instead of finding a significant other?

14. Back in the day these issues were NON EXISTENT
in the mainstream world.
Everyone just did the same thing as everyone else.

15. While Millennials still relate to the idea of a “dream” of
limitless possibilities, we’re now in the process of
crafting and redefining those possibilities in a less
material and more experiential way.
Millennial Marketing, 2010

16. So we’re finally finished with college and freshly graduated.
Next up in the American Dream is getting a good job.

17. Let’s pretend we’re not in the 44% of Millennials
who are unemployed/underemployed and that
we’re working at a nice office with a pretty good
entry level income.
Forbes, 2014
…Now what?

18. For prior generations, successful people would constantly say
it’s all about what you know and who you know.
But all that is superficial.
Millennials want to know more of the story. What happens after
you get the job? What actually goes on at the workplace?
For us, success is now placed on who you work with and
what you work on.

19. 84% of Millennials believe helping to make a
positive difference in the world is more
important than professional recognition.
We want to believe in the mission, believe
our efforts are going towards something
bigger than just our paycheck.
Financial reward is somewhat of a commodity,
an undervalued one at that.
Bentley University, 2013

20. • Am I learning from the people I work with?
• Are we succeeding together as a team?
• Do I share the same values as my colleagues?
• Will I fight for them? Will they fight for me?
This is what truly matters to
Millennials in the workplace
PWC, 2014

21. Many Millennials have a burning desire to chase
their dreams. We take more risks, think in more
abstract ways and more confidently chase
happiness.
But where is this happiness hiding?
In experiences and side hustles.

22. According to Urban Dictionary a side hustle is:
a sideline that brings in cash; something other than your main job.
What is a SIDE HUSTLE?
Millennials work hard, but we understand that we
should not spend all our time working.
We need to refuel with outside activities,
passions, and side hustles.

23. Meet STEVE
Accountant by DAY
Develops Apps by NIGHT
Food Truck Vendor on WEEKENDS
Steve has TWO side hustles
75% of Millennials say it’s
important to have a side
hustle that can turn into a job.
55% respect the hustle more
than an MBA.
MTV Insights, 2012

24. 70% of Millennials seek immersive,
interactive, hands on experiences.
Boston Consulting Group, 2014
Exploring passions, side hustles, and
outside work activities continually add to
our overall experience tank.
Pew Research, 2011
We’d rather throw cash at new adventures
than rack up more debt on something that’s
unfulfilling and not rewarding.

25. “A state of mind that is free of pain and suffering. Happiness is overall
gratefulness of life and love for everything you surround yourself with.” - Amber, 22
“Being able to live free, walk down the street and smile for no reason and love who
you are.” - Sydney, 22
“Happiness is weightlessness and freedom from life’s insecurities or frustrations,
even for only a few seconds. It’s forgetting about bills, work, and other burdens
so that for those few seconds or hours, you are free.” - Laura, 23
“Something that triggers the mind to cherish something forever and whenever
you are down you will look back upon for joy.” - Sean, 22
“Truly being the person you want to be.” - Jess, 22
“Loving yourself and feeling confident with your present.” - Pat, 22
What Does Happiness Mean To You?
Thought Catalog, 2014

26. Millennials are creating a movement in taking alternative
routes outside of traditional lifestyles. We are no longer
confined to the restraints of “the norm” to find success.
An integral piece of this movement is constantly
questioning, “Does this make me feel good about
myself?” rather than just chasing $$$.
TL;DR