Millennial Moves: Fearless and Focused!: Build Your Career Compass in 90 – 120 Days

By Cynthia A. Jenkins MBA

A near-death experience inspired this literary work. The life flashes during this event resulted in new career moves. While developing a new career and sitting on professional development panels, I explored 100(s) of methods job seekers generally apply to enter new careers. The education, training, and relationships equipped me to develop leadership programs for frontline employees, executives, and government leaders. However, a deeper understanding of the entire talent management process arrived via a diversion to teach elementary and adults on the college level. This experience revealed critical development approaches for career moves. Most people wouldnt be willing to explore learning via a diversion from corporate or executive roles. However, the observations inspired an Intel of career development approaches for the bosses of the future. This journey created the framework for Millennial Moves.
A Workforce that Merits Attention
By the year 2025, Millennials will contribute 75 percent of the workforce innovating company brands and bottom-lines (Hais, M. & Winograd, 2014). Therefore, it is vital to give back, help them prepare via a system that holds them and people who care about them accountable. This book reveals 10 main strategies in a simplified format. Use this book as a planning tool to help Millennials measure, map out, and execute new careers in real-time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524584528

Cynthia A. Jenkins MBA

Jenkins is owner of the learning and development firm CECS, LLC. Decades of collective business experience in training, technology operations, corporate, legal, and higher education, inspired Jenkins to launch her own consulting firm. She serves clients in corporate, government, K6 -12, and Higher Ed. Jenkins believes business success is contingent upon our attitude, career strategy, and authentic development of relationships that can result in a solid personal brand and equitable outcomes, second to none. ACCOMPLISHMENTS/AFFILIATIONS Jenkins is the author of A Reason to Show Up for Work Tomorrow Morning Board Member for Technology Association of Georgia (TAG); Workplace Learning Member of SHRM Atlanta (Society of Human Resources Management) Member of NBMBAA (National Black MBA Association) LINKEDIN IN PROFILE https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-a-jenkins-mba-pa-37894311

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Cynthia A. Jenkins, MBA/PA.

Library of Congress Control Number:      2017902413

ISBN:                  Hardcover                        978-1-5245-8453-5

                            Softcover                          978-1-5245-8451-1

                            eBook                                978-1-5245-8452-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 03/29/2018

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Contents

A Special Dedication to Mom

Preface

Introduction

1     An Adventure Awaits Your Presence

• A Getaway on the Global Turf

2     How to Transition into a New Career!

• Tom Darrow, Founder of Talent Connections and Career Spa LLC

3     New Workplace Expectations

• Tanay Tatum Edwards - The Millennials

• Eric Marionneaux - The Millennials

4     Nurture Future Talent, K-12 Leaders (GEN Zs)

• Michael Robertson, Executive Director with WorkSource Atlanta

5     Career Builders, Movers, and Shakers

• Dr. George Monk, Leadership Professional Developer

6     Engage a Committed Network

• Stacè Middlebrooks, Diversity and Inclusion Expert

• Eric V. Harrison, Immediate Past President of NBMBAA-Atlanta

• Chandra Gaines, Vice-President of NBMBAA-Atlanta

7     Build a Path in Corporate

• Gerald Chertavian, Founder and CEO of Year Up

8     Explore a Career Serving My Community

• Cynthia A. Jenkins, Former Executive Director of CLE

9     Create Your Own Business Enterprise

• Mark Myette, Coach from Whatareyourgifts.com

10   Your NEW Journey Begins

• Carpe Diem!

11   My Next Millennial Move

12   Appendix, Your 120-Day Action Plan

Acknowledgements

A Special Dedication to Mom

This book is dedicated to Pearlene Davis, an entrepreneur who created a successful business from nothing. Instead of keeping the money to herself, she hired her children, paid us top salaries, and created jobs for other kids in the community. Mom was very resourceful in creating fun. Summers were devoted to recycling aluminum to pay for trips to the amusement parks of Orlando. Most of all, she was a spiritual woman who loved her family. After her death in 2013, my dad shared: I think people just want to know they’re appreciated and valued for their contributions. Because of this wisdom, I really work hard to not take people for granted; and increase focus on living an intentional life. Mom certainly gave us value with her time, biscuits, sacrifices, and sweet expressions. I can still remember how she referred to my dimples as sugar dishes. She taught me how to become a lady, treat others with value, and never lose appreciation for my family.

Because life requires families to stay on the move, Mom always wanted her family to collaborate and develop work projects together. She was a strong champion of family reunions and Sunday dinners. For the longest of time, she tried to prevent us from moving out of her home. Although she passed away, this book is dedicated to her in celebration of her life. I hope she would be proud of the positive mention of family members within. Thus, on behalf of my dad, husband, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, and cousins, here are collective expressions of appreciation for her gifts bestowed upon us from a loving and creative mom! As this book will reflect, she infused these qualities into the second and third generations. You’ll walk away with a 120-day compass to brainstorm career development and/or capacity building strategy from collaborating with mentors, family, and intentional employers (or partners). All of this will factor into your action plans to solidify your millennial moves.

Preface

"Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you."

-Carl Sandburg

image%201%20time.jpg

During professional development trainings, an elephant (an obvious presence to all attendees yet unexplored because of fear) sits in the room. This creature emerges when Millennials (born 1981–2004) wonder about their budget of time beyond college graduation, downsizes, or layoffs. One group longs to explore other opportunities that engage work-life balance. Another group remains curiously aware of a life orchestrated from a place of passion yet lacking action. The largest group simply resigned to wait it out until whatever arrives along current career paths. Jokes are cast across the room as these young professionals make light of the challenges presented at the front of the room. Only the most fearless, strategic and creative will ask questions about how to best invest their time to support life.

Millennials are unique in their priority of time, meaningful work, making a significant difference, community, technology, freedom to travel, exploring the world and beyond. Their approaches to careers are so protective of building a life that is never to the demise of family, travel, and meaning. Thus, they may appear to other generations as from a different planet. According to the American Management Association (2017), here are some values of four generations present in today’s workforces:

Boomers (Born 1946–1964). High priority for work over personal life; and less vacation.

Generation X (Born 1965–1980). Work/life balance, strong IT skills, and independence.

Generation Y or Millennials (Born 1981–2004). Global-centric, technology, diversity, inclusion, travel, and resilient in navigating change, etc.

Gen Z (Born 1994 and 2010). Realistic, IT savvy, a strong sense of career management, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship.

The goal of this book is to inspire Gen X-ers and boomers (hiring decision makers) to reach back and help millennials position themselves to lead. In addition, give Millennials clarity on requirements and strategies for career development. Since the focus of this book is millennials (or Gen Ys) we’ll now direct attention to these leaders of tomorrow. This generation learned from the decisions of former generations. Work is important, but it needs to be meaningful. Legacy is important, but not without balance to factor in time with family, travel, and exploration. While many prior generations gave solid contributions based on inherent values, millennials are motivated by appreciation, feedback and coaching. Their most precious asset is time. I discerned this value one summer while talking with my niece Tanay Tatum-Edwards, a millennial. During one family visit to Atlanta, Georgia, she shared a chat with my father about former times of long ago. Prior to her visit, I scheduled up activities to align with her interests. So while she talked with my father, I inquired, Tanay, how soon will you be ready to depart for the movies? She responded, I am not sure, Aunt Cynthia. Right now I am talking with granddad. When we’re finished, I will let you know. Again, one of their most precious values is how and where they decide to invest time.

During