Hope for a New Generation

Despite being less confident than their elders, a new study by PsychTests.com, in Montreal, reveals that Millennials (those born between 1980 and 2000) are an ambitious and tenacious generation that continues to prove potential critics wrong. Labeled by some as self-entitled, arrogant and immature from being coddled by hovering parents, the company’s research says that Millennials are not afraid to push themselves to achieve lofty goals, work hard or take on difficult challenges.

Collecting data from 1,035 people that took their Ambition Test, the researchers looked at the differences between Millennials, Generation X (born between 1960 and 1980) and Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1960) in terms of their levels of aspiration, persistence and sense of self-efficacy. The study reveals that while Millennials lagged a little behind the other two generations on some factors related to ambition, the potential of these young adults should not be underestimated.

“One can argue that Millennials’ hopeful and determined nature is a case of idealism,” explains Ilona Jerabek, Ph.D., president of PsychTests. “Some have just started out in the workforce, so they’re eager to prove themselves, which could also mean that at some point they’ll be blindsided by the reality of what it’s like to be out there in the real world.”