IN a run-up to the Summit on the Global Agenda 2015, Oliver Cann of the World Economic Forum (WEF) cited three things millennials want from jobs.
“Millennials are changing the concept of work, shifting prioritization from career advancement to making a difference in their society,” Cann wrote in an October 25 blog, citing a survey published by the WEF’s Global Shapers Community (GSC).
According to Cann, that survey involved responses from 125 countries and 285 cities, making it “one of the most geographically diverse surveys of millennials.” He said the group surveyed more than 1,000 respondents who are all members of the WEF GSC.
The survey revealed millennials chose the US as the top country where they want to work in. It was followed by the United Kingdom and Germany.
“Respondents chose the United Arab Emirates as the No. 1 emerging market destination for career advancement, over China, Brazil, South Africa and India, despite the massive scale of the powerhouse Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) economies.
Cann also noted millennials see information technology, tourism and government as the top three choices for driving growth of their city in the next two years.
Government was listed as the top sector in need of a change, followed by education and agriculture, Cann wrote.
In terms of concept of work, millennials prioritize “the opportunity to make a difference in their society and the ability to learn over straightforward career advancement.”
Career advancement was chosen by 48 percent of those polled as the top attribute of an employer.
Although career advancement was the top attribute Global Shapers looked for in an employer, with 48 percent choosing it among their top three attributes,
Company culture came second with 38 percent of the respondents saying so. About 32 percent cited training and development opportunities as the 3rd-best attribute.
“There might be a generational shift under way in the concept of work,” Cann wrote.