Millennials and Career Anxiety

So are we just gonna forget how millennials were scapegoated for destroying entire commercial industries (diamonds, napkins, cereal, TGI Friday’s, etc.) when we could barely afford to participate in them? Trust me, I’m going somewhere with this.

I graduated college during one of the worst recessions in American history, which was an infuriating, confusing exercise in economic humiliation. I did everything I was taught to do growing up to secure a stable future. Got great grades, volunteered, got into college right away, went to career fairs, and got my resume professionally reviewed regularly. You name it, I did it. But no one was hiring at a livable wage, and I made a living cobbling together two or three part time jobs at a time only to get laid off every 6 months or so due to “downsizing.” Every time I got a new job, I was in a constant state of panic because of the lingering fear of being quickly replaced.

It made me terrified of taking time off, asking for a raise, or being assertive at all.

But guess what? You don’t have to be. Because of that experience, I spent years interviewing HR managers and business owners about what they look for in employees, how to find opportunities that aren’t on job sites, and how to get resumes in front of the right people. I worked as a vocational counselor and resume coach and used that information to help people find work and pursue their passions. I’m here to tell you that you’re not lazy, it’s not your fault that Cici’s Pizza shut down (lol), and it’s okay that you’re still not sure what you want to do yet. If you need a co-pilot to help you get the career clarity you weren’t able to obtain right after college, I got your back.

Been there, done that.

Kayla Lewis, LCMHCA