Millennials still believe the future is bright.
According to a survey of 2,000 people conducted by Pepsi as part of the company's Optimism Project, 94 percent of Gen Yers feel optimistic about the future.
Despite the economy, 77 percent of them report having a strong sense of optimism about their careers.
The study also found that:
74 percent feel supporting causes make them feel more optimistic.
Nearly all Millennials (95%) make positive associations when they think of the word "change," associating it with "progress" (78%), "hope" (77%) and "excitement" (72%).
Two-thirds of Millennials (67%) say that the election of Barack Obama is making them feel optimistic about the future of the country.
"Children of the '80s and '90s inherently feel a strong sense of optimism in the future and their ability to shape it," says Lisa Orrell, author of Millennials Inc. "This age group feels refreshingly unencumbered by history or tradition, a feeling that they can accomplish anything they resolve to achieve."
Perhaps the youngest generation of any time period always fosters the most hope. But Orrell makes and interesting observation:
"Millennials are gearing up to make 2009 their year," she says. "With so much to worry about over the next several months, maybe we would all be better served taking on this group's optimism."
