A quick google search with the question "how long do Millennials stay at jobs" will show a plethora of articles and think pieces on this subject. I found one article that stated "According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median tenure at a job for baby boomers is almost ten years. Yet, the millennial generation only stays at their jobs for 2.8 years".
Well, call me a rebel because I am a millennial who is celebrating 10 years at my job.
When I started my job at the American Cancer Society in 2014, I don't think I expected to be here for 10 years. I knew I wanted to find a workplace where I could grow. And most importantly, at the time, I needed to find a workplace that was meaningful. I had been working for a hospice and while I loved the people I worked with, the job itself was draining. Hearing about death day and day out was getting to be too much, especially for a 26-year-old woman who had just found out her dad had stage 4 lung cancer.
I still remember my interviews at ACS. I looked at these two beautiful, young, smart women across the table from me and I wanted to be part of the team they created. After the second interview, I knew for certain that ACS is where I wanted to be. I got the job offer via phone before I even pulled back into my driveway.
I started in fundraising, but quickly moved over to the team that worked with our hospitals, where I have been ever since.
While caring for my dad outside of work, driving him to appointments and navigating his cancer diagnosis, I was also fighting cancer full time for my work. My work was, and remains, extremely meaningful. I heard doctors and researchers speak about the work they were doing to prevent and end cancer. I fell absolutely in love with being able to partner with hospitals to serve the community. Whether we are doing screening events, quality improvement projects, or providing resources for cancer patients, the work is important. It is lifesaving.
My job is not easy to explain to other people. When they ask what I do at the American Cancer Society I give a vague response of working with health systems. And that is because every day is different. Today, for example? I started my morning sitting on cancer committee for one of the health systems in Indiana. It was their first meeting of the year, so they were discussing their cancer program goals, which are to decrease the time between diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer patients and to increase genetic testing referrals. Then, I hopped on a meeting with two of our partners in Detroit who have a grant focusing on increasing breast cancer screening rates and ensuring those screened have navigation services. Then, another call with a different system in Indiana for the grant we are doing to increase lung cancer screening rates. I had another call to learn about the National HPV Roundtable, which ACS leads. And I ended my day by reviewing surveys from our statewide committee on cancer prevention. And that, my friends, was all just in one day.
In 2023, I celebrated one of my biggest accomplishments at work. Oral Chemo Parity, which would make oral chemo drugs a fair price, was signed into law by Governor Whitmer. This was after a 15 year fight. In the 10 years that I was at ACS, I became deeply involved in this fight. I spoke to my state reps, I wrote letters, I made phone calls. I testified, several times, at hearings. I told my story in rooms full of people and on videos. I got the health systems I work with involved, too. My goal was to be able to one day tell Zack that his grandpa's story made a difference. And it finally happened. The last time I testified, fall of 2023, I had tears streaming down my face as I looked in the eyes of the state senators who we knew were "no votes". I was begging them to do something. Cancer patients shouldn't have to sacrifice the best, and sometimes the only, treatment for them because they can't afford it. I walked away that day really thinking I may have done it this time. And I had. Some of those folks who were no votes? They voted yes. I don't know that anything will ever top that feeling.
I know what I have to rare. To so many, their job is just that- a job, a way to make money to provide for their families. For me, my job is my passion. I always joke that I can't leave, because where else can I do this job? Where else would I be able to live out my dad's legacy? Where else would I work with such incredible people? Where else can I walk through an inflatable colon and have it be a normal Tuesday?
To the Megan 10 years ago who cried her entire way home from her old job because she was worried that she would hate ACS and never make friends, I've got news for you. You love it, and you have made long lasting friendships and relationships. Also, you're REALLY good at this job.
I can't end this post without saying thank you. Thank you to Kerri who took a chance on me and was my first manager and mentor at ACS. Thank you to Jane who helped shape me into the leader I am today. Thank you to Kim, my current manager, I am grateful every single day that I landed a spot on her team. Thank you to all the friends I have made along the way at ACS, those who are still here and those who have moved on. Some of you are my absolute best friends and I am so glad our paths crossed. Thank you to the partners at the health systems who feel more like family than partners.
Here's to 10 years!
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