Categorized by individuals born between 1981 and 1996, there are now millions of millennials in the workforce. Also known as Gen Y, this group of individuals is changing the landscape of employment—often with great success. Whether you're just hitting the market or have years of experience, here are a few traits both senior and young professionals can take away from Gen Y's work habits.

What You Can Learn From Successful Young Professionals

1. Create a Work-Life Balance

Careers can be meaningful, but so is your personal life. In a recent survey, work-life balance was voted the most important by employees between the ages of 18 and 35. Most participants over the age of 65, on the other hand, rated the quality as equally important to other factors, like salary and stability. Use this shift in perspective in your profession to avoid getting burned out from overwork.

2. Prioritize Enjoyment Over Salary

In previous decades, employees typically prioritized money. However, successful young professionals are chasing enjoyment instead of profits. While it's important that your income covers your bills, choosing a position based solely on the salary and not content is likely to leave you unfulfilled and miserable. Select career opportunities that make you feel inspired, but don't undervalue your worth.

3. Focus On Self-Improvement

Society has long used peer-to-peer competition as a way to help individuals reach their potential. However, young professionals place high importance on jobs that offer individual development opportunities as opposed to teammate rivalries. By prioritizes self-improvement over inter-office competition, they play to — and improve — their unique strengths. The trait results in professionals with finely-tuned skills who lead the pack instead of trying to catch up with it.

If you're a young professional in Suffolk County, NY, the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce serves as a valuable resource for career growth. Since 1925, the community organization has been helping companies and professionals get ahead through a variety of business development programs. From networking opportunities to education and training, you can learn more about their offerings by visiting online or calling (631) 423-6011.