Today, millennials make up the largest generation in the American workforce at more than 30%[1] and a total of 53.5 million people. Various sources estimate that by 2025 millennials may represent 75% of the global workforce.
The majority of millennials have grown up in a different environment than their older counterparts and many studies cite the growing differences in the way millennials view their lives, their professional careers, how they rely on and leverage technology to collaborate and network with family, friends and colleagues.
Despite these differences, recent research such as IBM’s Institute for Business Value “Myths, Exaggerations and Uncomfortable Truths: The Real Story Behind Millennials in the Workplace” and Gallup’s study How Millennials Want to Work and Live, show that when it comes to work in fact millennials have similar career goals and desires as their older colleagues. For example, they want to work for a company with similar values as themselves, they work hard to make a positive impact on their company, they want to help solve environmental and societal problems (88% of millennials feel their job is more fulfilling when they have opportunities to make a positive impact on social and environmental issues[2]), they thrive in teams of diverse backgrounds, and ultimately they want to do work they are passionate about.
A recent study by Gallup, How Millennials Want to Work and Live, states that only 29% of millennial employees are engaged at work. Young professionals are the future of every company, every industry, and they add to the diversity of perspectives and skills companies need.
So how can companies help them learn from experienced leaders, advance, challenge themselves, and channel their personal passions to set the stage for what will hopefully be successful and fulfilling careers?
Symantec’s New and Aspiring Professionals (SNAP) employee resource group is one way we do this. SNAP is one of five ERGs across the company that plays a key role in helping Symantec recruit and retain a diverse workforce, foster innovation, support the growth of Symantec’s business, as well as serving as ambassadors to the broader community through volunteering and advocacy.
SNAP focuses on four different pillars of involvement:
- Workforce – Opportunities to partner with our University Relations team to assist in talent acquisition, improving retention, and strengthening advancement of diverse talent.
- Workplace – Internal networking and employee engagement activities, opportunities to learn from company leaders and seek mentorship.
- Community Service – Opportunities for philanthropic outreach and community volunteering.
- Marketing – Opportunities to be involved in branding and culture changes.
“Symantec’s New and Aspiring Professionals group brings together the future leaders of our company. As their Global Executive Sponsor, I am inspired by their energy, passion and desire to learn and grow within our organization as well as build their foundation for longstanding and impactful careers.”
– Amy Cappellanti-Wolf, Symantec SVP and Chief HR Officer & Global Executive Sponsor, SNAP
While SNAP is fairly new, the group is planning specific events throughout the year aligned to the key focus areas above, as well as increasing participation across Symantec. For example, in early December SNAP is presenting a panel “Advancing Your Career as a Millennial” event, where young professionals at Symantec’s corporate headquarters can meet and learn from diverse leaders across the company.
Spencer Liang, VP Norton Engineering, Elise Shelley, Senior Manager, IT, and Bill McCullough, Director, Human Resources will share how they have all successfully developed their careers at Symantec, and will provide details on their experiences in technical and nontechnical departments.
The event will also include speed networking allowing attendees to personally interact with and ask questions of the guest speakers.
SNAP Leadership Team and CHRO Amy Capellanti-Wolf launch Symantec’s first ERG dedicated to young professional talent.
Symantec New and Aspiring Professionals (SNAP) ERG work together to advance young professionals at the company and together are ambassadors in the community.
SNAP leaders share first-hand all they’ve gained from their experience so far:
“SNAP has given me the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and be a leader. I am making an impact by creating an opportunity for voices to be heard and highlighting talent that isn’t always visible at Symantec!” - Natasha Marston, Co-Chair
“SNAP not only reflects Symantec’s commitment and investment in its young professionals, but allows us to take charge of our own professional development and growth. It’s been fantastic meeting other young professionals from all over the company, and I am excited to build a strong foundation for SNAP to be one of the most active, long-standing ERGs on campus!” - Anna Xie, Co-Chair
“SNAP gives me a way to network outside of my immediate department with like-minded young professionals.” - Nina Singhal, Community Lead
Whether it’s a specific project, cause, or professional goal, SNAP’s mission is to simply provide a platform where new professionals can come to achieve personal and professional aspirations. We hope SNAP will become one of the many reasons why young professionals want to work at Symantec and a vehicle for new and existing employees to realize the value of connecting with fellow employees.
Young professionals and managers at Symantec gather to celebrate the launch of Symantec’s SNAP employee resource group.
Anna Xie & Natasha Marston are Co-Chairs of Symantec's New and Aspiring Professionals (SNAP) Employee Resource Group.
[1]Pew Research Center - Millennials surpass Gen Xers as the largest generation in U.S. labor force (May, 2015)