Millennials get a bad rap because of Internet buzz. Some of it is self inflicted, because you know how to communicate using today’s technology - and many Millennials are willing to share more online than older generations think is appropriate. You are also being marketed to in a way unlike any previous generation.

I think a lot of parents of Millennials (I am tail end Baby Boomer with a kid likely around your age) have a better understanding, especially in this post 2008 economy that’s going to be decades long in its effect- that is, the parents that weren’t entirely checked out.

Two things I think would best prepare any young person for the future is: 1) any and all work experience, even part time, and 2) taking a second language seriously enough.

Even if the work experience is retail, it shows that you actually know how to work and have been relied upon. It also puts you ahead of everyone else who didn’t.

If your second language skill is good enough (polite, adult), it can open doors. It means you can also save the day sometimes (or more often if you seek out those opportunities).

If you didn’t do either and you didn’t have some nepotism working for you (or you hit the hot career of the moment), you suffer for a while. That’s always been the case. The more you complain about it online though, the more likely somebody is going to nail you with a scarlet M.