The world keeps turning, and so do the people who make it up — like the millennials. Change is constant, and the mindset of new generations keeps moving forward… or does it?

Opinions on this are all over the place. This new wave of young people, known as millennials, is stirring up plenty of controversy.

What are Millennials?

If you’re not quite sure what the term means, don’t worry. The definition from the Spanish International Institute of Digital Marketing will probably ring a bell:

“A millennial is the kind of person who reached adulthood after the year 2000 — that is, with the turn of the century. As a group, they share specific traits, such as a personality marked by discontent and a love of technology. Millennials are roughly between 15 and 29 years old, and they’re also known as the children of the Baby Boom generation, or Generation Y.”

Out of all of that, the bit that probably stands out the most is being described as a discontent group. It’s true — but at the same time, they’re crazy about new technologies.

That general sense of discontent in millennials comes from a “debt” they feel society owes them. They grew up in a time of economic boom, only to hit adulthood right in the middle of a recession. A recession that forced them to take precarious contracts and jobs that had nothing to do with what they studied. In short, they ran into a future they didn’t see coming.

They’re also recognised as the most educated generation ever — nearly 50% have a higher-education degree. Because of that, they tend to be very demanding and critical of society — and, of course, very vocal about defending their own rights.

What is this new generation looking for?

You could sum it up as “a life that balances personal time with passion for what they do”.

Their view of the world has shifted compared to previous generations, and digital technology has had a huge influence on that:

• The ease of reaching the rest of the world through a screen.

• The immediacy of doing so and the endless possibilities that come with it.

All these conveniences push you to open up your mind and see life differently, with new ambitions and expectations — work being one of them.

Let’s just say they don’t really get the traditional way of working. The one that involves clocking 8 hours at a desk. They know that spending more time on something doesn’t mean you’re more productive. So flexibility and independence are two of their top priorities at work.

They’re very aware they’re ready to take on challenges and bring new ideas to companies. So they’re drawn to workplaces where they can grow professionally — places where they feel valued and have real chances to move up.

Pros and cons of millennials

Like everything in life, anything new comes with its share of good and not-so-good — and this case is no different.

Millennials are making their mark, or at least making the most of what their environment lets them do. They’re people with a lot of energy who bring the following strengths to the table:

• High level of education and plenty of new ideas to start a business with.

• They’re tech natives. A key asset for any company looking to adapt to the digital era. They learn anything tech-related way faster than people from any other generation.

• They adapt quickly to change and aren’t scared of challenges.

• They’re nonconformist. They fight for what they want, and in general, growing professionally is one of their top priorities.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t people who see a darker side too, as the points below suggest:

• That ego around individual self-improvement has earned them the label of an arrogant generation. It’s tough for such different generations to fully understand each other in such a short time.

• Digital technology, as much as it brings good things, has its downsides. It has made them more impatient. Being able to get things in just a few seconds makes them think everything else should work that way too.

• Not every millennial fits the same mould. Some employers claim that growing up in a more comfortable environment in their early years has made them less disciplined and less committed.

So what can we take away from all this?

Taking all these details into account, one conclusion is hard to ignore. In the not-too-distant future, these young people will be the largest part of the workforce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cited in The Wall Street Journal, by 2025 they’ll make up 75% of it.

With that in mind, and given all the strengths millennials can bring to a company — listed above — it’ll be a smart move for companies to make space for them on their teams. Otherwise, they’ll just go ahead and become entrepreneurs themselves.

Maybe it’s that breath of fresh air with a hint of demand, energy and ambition. Combined with the new tools of communication, it might be exactly what the work environment we’ve known so far needed. Change is on its way, and this generation is ready to face it without fear.