"I Value Collaboration but Won't Get Pushed Around": Uncovering Tensions in Millennials' Vocational Anticipatory Socialization. Issue 3 (27th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woo, DaJung; Bertram, Victoria
• Is Part Of: Western journal of communication. Volume 86:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 400
• Page End: 421
• Publication Date: 2022-05-27
• Subjects: Focus Groups -- Millennials -- Qualitative Research -- Tensions -- Vocational Anticipatory Socialization; Oral communication -- Periodicals; 428.3
• DOI: 10.1080/10570314.2022.2074088
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1057-0314

Abstract

Abstract : The present research aims to understand why there have been inconsistent reports about millennials' workplace behaviors by exploring discourses rooted in their vocational anticipatory socialization (VAS). Drawing on focus group interviews with 74 matriculating millennials, four dialectical tensions emerged from their discussions around work: (1) prioritizing self- versus other-oriented values; (2) career progression as flexible versus rigid; (3) managing clear versus blurred relational boundaries; and (4) meaning of work based on self-sufficiency versus self-actualization. Authors discuss the implications of foregrounding tensions in theorizing VAS as processes of making sense of inconsistent messages about work and career, as well as practical considerations regarding millennials' experience with VAS tensions.