A study by Fidelity Investments found 58 percent of millennials chose an improved quality of work life over financial benefits.

The Millennial Generation includes those born from 1981 to 1996, according to Pew Research Center. Though 86 percent of millennial professionals are happy at work, 49 percent still search for or are open to a new opportunity. Chris Grace, professor of psychology, believes that no matter the age of an individual, most desire to make an impact in the world.

“I think what really happens is most people, regardless of their age, feel that it is important to make an impact. We don’t lose that all of a sudden when you hit 40,” Grace said. “I instead think that what is probably running this whole thing is not that people differ about happiness or seeking it or wanting a good flexible job or making an impact in the world…Millennials that are out there have a little bit more flexibility in their world.”

unnecessary to happiness

The study found millennials willing to take a $7,600 pay cut on average to receive benefits like improved company culture, career development or purposeful work. Grace feels millennials may consider financial benefits unnecessary to their happiness.

“I think millennials probably were raised differently,” Grace said. “I think also millennials also have a little bit of a different psychology about them, a way of understanding the world that’s different than the older generation and the generation before and maybe the generation even after them that contributes to this. I think some of them have the view that they can do a lot of different things. Money maybe isn’t seen as important and security that way as it has been like they think, ‘Well you know what? I don’t need that to make me happy.’”

making a difference

Junior biological sciences major Brenda Arellano currently studies to eventually become a doctor near Los Angeles. She plans to quit her job as a tutor to find a higher paying job because of current financial concerns as a college student, but prefers to make a difference in the future.

“Financially, it’s not going to meet my needs later on,” Arellano said. “It’s just that kind of thing where if I’m making a difference at all it goes above the money. The only thing right now is that I am quitting my job but it’s not because I’m not growing… but right now as a college student it really is hard to be able to move on in my education if I can’t pay my bills, if I can’t pay my schooling.”

following her heart

Sophomore kinesiology major Jesenia Samudio-Horn was taught to follow her heart and if she did not find happiness in her work, she should not be complacent and should move on to the next available option.

“I’ve been taught that it sucks not being able to do what you love because you’re going to have to be at that job,” Samudio-Horn said. “You’re going to have to be there for a couple of hours and if you can’t handle the people you that you work with, the location that you’re at. If you hate whatever it is you’re doing for that amount of time, you’re going to be miserable so might as well do something you love.”

Grace’s final advice tells those of a younger generation to show kindness to everyone since it may benefit them in the future.

“If I had to tell younger people [something] it’s just constantly remember to treat people with kindness, even someone who could do nothing for you,” Grace said. “Treat with kindness, because you just never know and you do it because it’s right but it’s also [beneficial].”