The familiarity of the modern workplace that has been present for decades has left us. Holding on to the ways of the past is now counterproductive, and will have you left behind as the inevitable continues. As we move forward in this social media heavy, technology advancing society, adaptations must be made as the millennials continue to arrive.

Millennials entering the workplace are entering with fresh ideas, new skills and different attitudes that were not previously present. In 2015, Pew Research Center estimated that approximately one-third of the U.S. Labor Force were Millennials (ages 18 to 34 in 2015), making us the largest working generation group. There are many assumptions about us, but these are the facts:

1. We want meaningful work

After struggling through the four-plus years of school, settling is no longer an option. While many of us may be strapped financially, but that is not enough of a reason to take jobs we don’t want or stay at one where the work is overly routine and stagnant. There must be a purpose behind the work.

Engaging us in something with meaning propels our attentiveness and creativity. We want to harness the skills we have accumulated over time and apply it to the work every day. If the work does not reflect the vision we have for ourselves, it is obsolete.

2. We are not scared of change

The days of working the same job for 20 or 30 years is long gone. Entering the workplace, many of us expect to change jobs, or have more than one, at a rapid pace. It is not that we are indecisive at all times, the need for change begins to consume us. We welcome new opportunities and challenges.

There is a dream job for all of us, and we are relentless in our search for it. The fear of being out of work or unstable does not distract us from our goals. We are positive that the skills we possess are enough to land us in another position, better than the previous.

3. We want a helpful manager

The lines between employees and upper management are still firmly drawn, and we do not intend to change them. However, we do expect guidance from our bosses. If we are plunged into a situation where we are not being constructively critiqued, we will begin to fade away.

It is okay to tell us what to do and how to do it, but it should be done in a manner that is encouraging growth within. We are striving to be better workers, and not just doing a list of tasks for the company. We want to feel valued by management, and truly know that the work we are doing is not going unnoticed.

Despite popular belief, we are not coming in with our cell phones and new technology trying to take all of the jobs. Our attempts to squeeze into an already crowded workforce inspires us to be creative and innovative. There is certainly space for us all, we are just different than the norm.