The first generation to never know a time before computers has entered the workforce and things haven’t been the same since. This can be seen as welcomingly positive for those seeking to appeal to this group of consumers.

The Millennial Generation is regarded as those children born between 1981-2000. While characteristics of any generation are a product not of the years on a calendar, but of world events, family values, and geographic location while coming of age, we know more specific details about the Millennials than any other generation because practically everything about them has been trackable via computers and the digital age. Slightly creepy – yes. But, never before have we had such accurate data derived for our decision making purposes.

Let’s take a look at a handful of the top characteristics of millennials and how it relates to Alpena.

* They are special. They are said to be the most “wanted” generation. Their births were anticipated with great joy. Their life milestones were marked with great celebration. They have been raised to believe that they are here on Earth to make a difference (as should we all). What does this mean for Alpena? This generation is going to come forward with some over the top, but positive, ideas for our community. Our community needs to be ready to help them learn how to turn these ideas into feasible reality without burying them with the ‘it will never works.’ and the ‘it will never happen heres’ responses that we are sometimes all too quick to give.

* They have been sheltered. This isn’t talking about curfews and the like, but how society at their time of upbringing has evolved. Millennials are at the center of the most wide-spread youth safety movement in U.S. history. This includes crash-safety rated car seats, parents stepping in to mitigate their playground disagreements, and rarely being left unsupervised. They may be risk-averse as a result. How does this relate to community involvement? They appreciate mentorship. They may need extra encouragement to turn that business entrepreneurial idea into reality.

* They are team-oriented. They’ve spent half a lifetime playing organized sports or being friends kids whose life revolved around belonging to a sport or other extra-curricular team. Group project work in classrooms was integral. As a result they prefer egalitarian leadership over strict hierarchies. They are looking to join a team that aligns with their values and treats them as an important member of the team. They like action activities, not report-out meetings. They will support what they help build.

* They are high achieving. They have had access to more information throughout their lives than anyone ever has throughout history. They know where to go for answers. They rely on their research skills before they ask for help. This affects how they interact, and how older generations view how they interact. Many believe that this generation is disconnected but in reality, they are the most connected of all generations. They are constantly connecting with people via their digital devices. It is common for this method of communication to be prohibited at work. With reasonable parameters, allowing them to continue this connection while at work may increase their productivity and the quality of their work.

* They are pressured. Their time has been strictly choreographed with structured activity due to the sheer wealth of opportunities for them to take advantage of; combined with the fact that most of them live in a home with two working caretakers. This leads to an adult life of feeling like they have to do it all. Teaching them to stop and smell the roses once in a while is important. This is where mentorship comes into play again. Alpena offers a perfect home for the high-functioning individual to both achieve and relax and enjoy a slower pace of life.

* They are conventional. They put a high value on social rules and norms and actively live in a way that invites those values back into our culture. In many instances they believe in doing what is right for the greater good; even if it means they will not profit, or gain advancement as a result. This is significant. They will leave organizations that they believe are not run with integrity. They will seek organizations that align with a social cause they believe in. Example, when they shop for a car they may select the dealership not for the brand of car they sell, but for the community organizations they support.

If we want more young people to view Alpena as a place to live and thrive, then it is important to understand how this generation works and embrace this refreshing change of times.

Mary Beth Stutzman’s Inspiring A-Town runs bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Follow Mary Beth on Twitter @mbstutz.