Careers: The Goods on Generation Y

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Young workers should try to cut deals to ensure their work leads to personal growth, Trunk says. For example, if you're instructed to make copies for three hours, ask to be involved in a project that you can learn from.

When it comes to money, determine how much you're willing to sacrifice to make a buck, and be sure to compare salaries and analyze your benefits, health care, and retirement plans, Tulgan says (see BusinessWeek.com, "Pay and Perks").

One key to success, says Tulgan and other experts, is to build relationships. With your manager, determine what he or she needs and how you can offer it, Tulgan says. Inside your job and out, target people who look like they have expertise that can help you, and assume that they will help, Trunk recommends. Ask them specific questions, and if they give good help, stick with them. "Networking gives you more flexibility in terms of what you can try," she says. "Build relationships at every level."

Says Blaire Fraser, a 26-year-old who has had three positions in her four years working at American Express (AXP): "Relationships are critical for me.…Getting around and working closely with colleagues in a team culture is critical to me."

In the fall, she'll begin an MBA program at Northwestern's Kellogg School to broaden her marketing skills to accounting and finance. Plus, B-school will help strengthen her network, which will come in handy when she tries to find a new job or switch careers, she says.

Balancing Act

Finding a work-life balance is important, too. Faith Black, a 26-year-old associate editor at Avalon Books in New York, says she leaves her office in New York at 5 p.m. almost every day. "I don't make as much money, but I have a life," she admits. "If you're not happy, it doesn't matter how much money you're making." Ask how much control you have with your schedule and if you can work at home, Tulgan says. Some companies offer "flex time" that allows workers a more flexible schedule than the traditional 9-to-5 slog.

Indeed, Generation Y has no interest in "extreme jobs," or ones that suck up more than 60 hours a week, Trunk says. "Today, the American dream is about time," she says, not money. This group was raised learning that time was valuable, and the September 11 terrorist attacks reinforced the importance of spending time with family and building relationships, she says.

The good news is that many large companies are adapting to the changing workforce, realizing that it's getting harder to lure Generation Y-ers as well as keep them longer than two or three years (see BusinessWeek.com, 9/18/06, "The Best Places To Launch A Career"). For instance, Merrill Lynch (MER) is letting parents in on the recruiting process because of their huge involvement in their kids' decision-making, and Ernst & Young is using the popular Facebook Web site to recruit young workers, Trunk notes.

Healy, the 23-year-old blogger, offers companies "solutions to keep us around," such as flexible schedules and working remotely, optional rewards (instead of a tiny raise, give more vacation time), and a friendly working atmosphere. As well, he suggests keeping young workers informed of what the company achieves from their tasks, and providing two-way feedback with managers. Perhaps some companies will listen. If they don't, chances are this restless, highly mobile generation will develop a lot more entrepreneurs who can call their own shots.

McCormack is senior producer for BusinessWeek.com's Investing channel.