Career Advice & News Center

The current state of the economy has instilled a unique set of workplace expectations in the generation of young adults known as the Millennials, a recent study has found.

A survey conducted by Lumin Collaborative, a communications agency network that includes five marketing and public relations firms, sought to examine the emerging viewpoints that Millennials, defined as people between the age of 18 and 27, have developed regarding their futures in the workforce.

The study determined that 55 percent of the generation's members have faced a layoff or loss of work within the past year. Furthermore, about75 percent feel that more layoffs within their family are imminent.

"As a generation, Millennials are still optimistic and ambitious but the pressures of the current economy are reshaping our approach and outlook on our relationships with our employers," said Lauren Begley, an account executive at the public relations firm Peppercom.

She added, "It may have taken one of the most severe economic contractions since the Great Depression, but we are finally learning to be more realistic about getting ahead and surviving in workplace."

The threat of layoffs may not be the only fear experienced by the country's young adults. According to the survey, a total of 66 percent of Millennials say they have lowered their expectations of being promoted, compared to 51 percent among other age groups.

Mark Raper, CEO of Lumin Collaborative, commented that the shift in workplace expectations and predictions of professional achievement may begin to influence how companies recruit and retain job applicants who are part of the generation.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Millennials make up 19 percent of the U.S. population.