Millenial & Gen Z Values are Spot on About Work — And Here’s Why

Millenial (Gen Y, aka Pluto in Scorpio) and Gen Z (Pluto in Sagittarius Generation) is demanding corporate change — and they have the right vision. Almost twenty years ago, I worked at an ad agency that had a lot of things going for it that would have made Millenials and Gen Z happier than most corporate environments of today. It changed my view on work, and I see why they want what they want. I also know that it’s not only possible, but companies can thrive doing it.

My first real design job at an ad agency in Denver was nothing like I expected. At the time, I was a graphic designer with a minor in interpersonal communication who had recently moved to Denver from San Francisco after the fall of the “.coms” and the post-9/11 recession, which hit the West Coast hard before moving east.

I was working as a Housewares Manager at Urban Outfitters, considering a move to their home office in Philly or transitioning into a merchandising role. Then, I got a call that changed everything. An ad agency reached out, needing several hundred photo holders for a client project. At the time, I had taken a break from graphic design and was focusing on retail, where I often helped with floor set changes—intricate, custom projects unique to each Urban Outfitters store. Their sister brand, Anthropologie, had even approached me about doing floor sets for them, but the pay for the creative and technical skills required didn’t compare to what I earned as a manager.

So, back to the photo holders: after a bit of digging, I sourced all of them from our San Francisco location and had them shipped to the ad agency. That simple task got me thinking. It felt like a crossroads moment. Curious, I looked up the agency’s website and saw an opening for a senior designer position. I hesitated—was I qualified? Probably not. But I thought, They can’t say yes if I don’t apply.

To my surprise, they called me for an interview a few weeks later. Even more shocking? They hired me.

That’s the thing about this agency: they didn’t just hire for skills. They hired for talent and personality. Their ethos was that anyone can learn to design, but creating a culture where people want to stay? That’s much harder. You can’t teach someone a sense of humor or the ability to connect, and both go a long way in advertising and design.

I was thrilled to leave the politics and constraints of retail behind. This job shattered all my preconceived notions about corporate life. The pay was solid, the culture was incredible, and the people were unlike any I’d worked with before. Honestly, I was making more than I likely ever would have in retail—and in fewer hours.

The corporate culture there was ahead of its time. Casual attire wasn’t just allowed; it was encouraged. Two decades ago, this was almost unheard of outside of Silicon Valley. You could wear sneakers, jeans, or whatever made you feel like yourself. That freedom to express our individuality spilled over into our work—it made us more creative, more confident, and more connected. It’s hard to feel like yourself in a suit and tie or high heels.

The culture was so good that many of us turned down offers from rival companies, even for more money. Why? Because you can’t put a price on showing up as yourself, working with people you love, and, yes, wearing sneakers to the office. For many of us, that lifestyle—finishing work and heading straight to happy hour or a concert downtown—felt like a luxury.

For a group of 20- and 30-somethings in Denver, it was more than a job. It was a way of life.

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There’s a kind of magic that happens when you work somewhere you feel valued—not just for what you do, but for who you are. Where your ideas matter, your presence matters, you matter. It changes everything. The work isn’t just productive; it feels meaningful. We weren’t just clocking hours; we were creating something together. And because we were seen and supported, the work felt good—because we felt good.

We were fairly compensated, not just for our time, but for the creative energy and effort we brought to the table. In an industry where burnout was practically a badge of honor, we somehow avoided it most of the time.

Occasionally, someone would leave. The offers rolled in—higher salaries, titles, and all the perks. But no matter where they went, one of three things always happened: they came back, they joined a competitor, or they worked for one of our clients. Either way, they never really disappeared. We were like threads in a tapestry, always connected, always carrying pieces of that place with us. And somehow, it always circled back.

That’s what happens when you’re treated like a human—an adult one, at that. They trusted us, and we respected that trust. Nobody pushed the boundaries of the freedoms we had because we didn’t want to. We wanted to show up. We wanted to be there. And that kind of culture? Even then, it was rare.

For a while, I believed that this way of working—where people matter more than profits—was the future. I thought other companies would look at what was possible and follow suit. I thought it was only a matter of time before this kind of culture spread like a quiet revolution. But I was wrong.

That’s why I deeply understand the gateway Millennials opened—and the backlash they endured. Boomers often claimed they didn’t want to work or lacked work ethic, but that wasn’t the truth. Millennials laid the groundwork for change, and Gen Z is running with it, determined to succeed so they can take those changes even further.

I also understand the transformative energy of Pluto in Aquarius and how it’s currently shaking up the corporate world and finances. As someone who once thrived in a creative business, I know that to create at your best, you have to feel held in a culture that values you like this.

What Gen Z is asking for isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. They’re trying to rebuild a system that’s been broken for far too long. And I hope they succeed. I hope Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and every generation after them find the balance we all deserve but so rarely achieve.

Eventually, I left to go client-side. Not because I wanted to leave, but because I needed something that company couldn’t give me: a deeper connection to myself and my purpose. I wanted more influence over how I spent my creative energy and a stronger sense of alignment with the work I was doing. Leaving was hard—the opportunities there were endless. But my heart wanted something bigger, and I had to follow it.

I never truly went back to the corporate world. But if I ever did, I’d want it to feel like that again. A culture where I wasn’t just another number, where my contributions were valued, where I felt like I mattered.

Some places aren’t just jobs—they’re foundations. They show you what’s possible, not just in work, but in life. And for me, this place taught me what could be. It set the standard, one I’ve carried with me ever since.

How Employees Can Build the Corporate Culture They Want

Many young workers are seeking out companies that fit their ideals of a corporate culture. Others, are bringing their values to company’s and helping to create the environment they desire. Here are a few ways to improve your existing workplace climate:

• Create safe spaces to speak at work about mental health. Barclay’s is a great example of this, they started their “This Is Me” campaign. Employees began discussing mental health struggles, and the company saw greater disclosure rates, an increase in overall mental health, and higher employee retention.

• Set boundaries for yourself about work hours.

• Ask your employers what mental health benefits you have — and how to access them.

• Open a line of communication with management about what your fellow employees are looking for, and how you realistically can work together to achieve it.

• Seek out a mentor at work, and/or become one to others. Consider setting up an internal program for it.

I’ve seen a version of this corporate culture in action, and I know it’s not only possible but it works. We can’t change every corporation’s vibe — but we can vote with our time, energy, and jobs, to be active in building the environments that end burn-out.

If you want support to shift your career, culture at your business, or make a passion project or side hustle your main squeeze schedule as Illumination Session. I am here to meet you where you are at and help you clear the way to the vision you have for the life you truly desire.

xx —Amy