As college students navigating our own minds, it is not uncommon to begin to identify with certain groups. Whether it be liberal or conservative, night owl or early bird, and even Pepsi or Coke, these choices make connections to others and define how we see ourselves. Furthermore, when these groups with which we identify are discussed, there is a certain feeling that sinks in. When someone mentions the term “millennial” my head begins to tune in because even though my name is not said, I feel like it is me being talked about. With millennials born between the years 1982 and 2002, according to the Census Bureau, most students at Behrend can also relate to the term. However, with the rise of technology and social media, we have all heard varying opinions about millennials, both positive and negative; but what is a millennial?

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A common image of a millennial often involves two concepts: technology and new-age lifestyles. Jack Narbus, a freshman undecided major who identifies with the millennial generation, said when he thinks of a millennial, he pictures “a stereotypical teenager that’s a vegan.” A member of Generation X (1961 to 1981) who is a junior mechanical engineering major, Joseph Luebbert, says, “I think of the baby boomer generation plus technology.”

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Against some of these initial thoughts about millennials, many people had different ways to pick a millennial out of the crowd. Millennial, Elizabeth Malomo who is a junior majoring in biology said, “I can tell if someone is a millennial when they seem very open. They are very open minded.” Luebbert said he could identify a millennial if they’re staring at their cell phone. Furthermore, in the classroom, Luebbert noted one difference between himself and millennial students was that, “[Generation X students] didn’t have the same technology, so when we were students, everything was on paper.” On the other hand, Narbus thought age was the best way to figure out a person’s generation.

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Though there is some reality to the millennial stereotypes, some are miles away from the truth. Dr. Tammie Merino, an English professor here at Behrend said, “I do not think millennials are narcissists who are unconcerned with what is going on in the world,” despite the contradicting belief. Malomo seemed to have the same idea, saying she does not agree that millennials don’t have a mind of their own. She continued, “I feel like that’s not true. We definitely have a mind of our own.”

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Battling harsh stereotypes, caught between wanting to embrace the world with the millennial title and being ashamed of the generation, millennials face a difficult path. Environmental science professor Natalie Waddell-Rutter said her advice to millennials is the same she would give to anyone. “Work hard. Be willing to try new things. Be curious and ask questions,” Waddell-Rutter stated. Malomo, understanding the struggle of being a millennial, had plenty of advice to give. “Just be who you are, be yourself, do you, have fun, enjoy life, eat, sleep, and don’t stress--that’s our biggest problem,” she said.