The traits of millennials are oft talked about in the news and on the internet.

Born between 1981 and 1996, millennials are the generation between Gen X and what has become known as Gen Z, the youngest current cohort. Shaped by the time period in which they came of age, millennials have a few unique traits from other generations.

They remember 9/11 and grew up during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. They also largely entered the workforce during the Great Recession. They are a diverse generation and grew up during the internet explosion, but before the popularization of smartphones.

They are individualistic and driven by meaning and a desire to do good.

What does all of it mean? It could mean a lot for businesses and the labor market. Millennials are the largest generation in the U.S. workforce, making up 35 percent of the whole.

If you’re one of those millennials and you’re looking for the right career for you, consider these jobs, which draw on generational traits.

• Criminal Justice: Millennials who are looking for a meaningful career might find it working to help people and keep them safe in the criminal justice field. The typical day of a police officer could entail responding to emergency and nonemergency calls, patrolling assigned areas, collecting and securing evidence from a crime scene or even issuing citations from traffic stops. Police officers are typically empathic, perceptive, apt leaders and good communicators. Pursuing a criminal justice program could be a good fit for millennials looking to make a difference in their communities.¹
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning: Having come of age during the Great Recession, millennials have been affected by a ‘slow start.’ Thus, they often seek financial stability in their careers. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, like other skilled trades, is a field that has remained in demand even as technology has grown. Employment for HVAC technicians is projected to grow 13 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average.² Millennials who are looking for growing fields might consider pursuing HVAC training.¹
• Graphic Design: Becoming a graphic designer could be a great career for millennials. Millennials largely grew up with technology and are well-versed in how to function in a tech-driven world. Graphic designers are typically creative, analytical people with artistic ability and great computer skills. They use digital illustration, photo editing software and layout software to create designs. They also typically present design concepts to clients and create visual elements such as logos and illustrations that help deliver a message. A career as a digital graphic artist could help millennials combine their tech skills with a way to express their individuality.
• Medical assistant: Like working in the criminal justice field, medical assistants have a chance to help people. They typically work with patients to record history, measure vital signs and help with exams. Also like HVAC, employment of medical assistants’and healthcare occupations in general’is on the rise. Healthcare occupations are expected to add more jobs than any other occupational field at about 9 million jobs.² Pursuing a medical assistant program could be a winning combination for millennials who are looking for a stable path and who have a passion for serving others.¹

Whether you’re a millennial who is just starting out or one who wants a career change, these jobs could be a fit. A technical school might be a great place to begin.¹

¹ Employment not guaranteed for students or graduates.

² BLS statistics represent national job growth expectations and are not necessarily reflective of local market conditions.

Sources:

• Years of millennial generation
  • https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/
• When millennials came of age
  • https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/
• Millennials came of age during the Great Recession
  • https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/
• Millennials are diverse
  • https://www.forbes.com/sites/margueritacheng/2019/06/19/8-characteristics-of-millennials-that-support-sustainable-development-goals-sdgs/#3b697df529b7
• Millennials grew up during the internet explosion
  • https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/
• Millennials are individualistic
  • https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/306860
• Millennials are driven by meaning
  • https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanpeart/2019/10/30/what-does-millennial-loyalty-look-like-today-in-the-workplace/#74e849928f4f
• Millennials are the largest generation in the workforce
  • https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/04/11/millennials-largest-generation-us-labor-force/
• What police officers do
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm#tab-2
• Traits of police officers
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm#tab-4
• Millennials had a ‘slow start’
  • https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/
• Millennials seek financial stability
  • https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/306860
• Job outlook for HVAC technicians
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm#tab-6
• Millennials are tech-savvy
  • https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/
• Traits of graphic designers
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm#tab-4
• What graphic designers do
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm#tab-2
• What medical assistants do
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-2
• Job outlook for medical assistants
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-6
• Healthcare occupations are project to add 1.9 million jobs
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm