Five generations of workers make up most offices these days with the youngest — Generation Z, ages 7-21 —  just starting in the workforce.

For those in the millennial and Generation Z generations (and for those who hire, manage and work with them), the Business Record sought the input of young workers already in Greater Des Moines, including the Class of 2018  Forty Under 40, a guest opinion piece on trends on hiring and retention of young professionals from Jason Jodlowski, an employee benefits manager at Gallagher, and a Q&A with YPC President Ryan Bruner that you can find online at BusinessRecord.com.

In case you are wondering, those five generations include the following:

The Builders Generation, age 71 and older.
Baby boomers, ages 53-70.
Generation X, ages 37-52.
Generation Y, ages 22-36.
Generation Z, ages 7-21.

We hope you find their insights helpful, eye-opening and inspiring. Thanks for reading.

Suzanne Behnke, editor

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Ashley Aust
Associated general counsel, Hubbell Realty Co.
Go above and beyond, whether it is in your career, your education, your community, your family or with people that you meet. It takes hard work to go above and beyond, but it introduces you to people that you would not otherwise know and opens doors you would not otherwise see.

Christopher Axiotis
Audit manager, Farm Bureau Financial Services
Raise your hand to help out, even when it seems as if the opportunity is outside of your scope or experience. If you step up, provide quality work and follow through; you’ll be embraced and mentored more than you could have imagined.

Rob Barron
Special assistant to the president, Grandview University
Don’t be in a rush to make someone’s list or get the corner office. Early in your career, focus on acquiring skills and connections as you discover your passion, then seize the opportunity to connect all you have gathered to meet a pressing need only you can fill.

Leslie Behaunek
Attorney, Nyemaster Goode
Listen and be willing to do the legwork when you start on a new board or in a new company. This is the best way to learn about the organization and will create a strong foundation for servant leadership down the road.

Bobbi Bentz
Executive account manager, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Set your path and own it ? be committed to your work, your passions and your principles. Learn the fine art of both questioning group think and being a team player. Volunteer and join things you truly like and want to be involved in; do not overextend yourself to things that don’t excite you.

Charlie Bottenberg
Partner, Masterson & Bottenberg Law Firm
Find something you are passionate about and get involved. Don’t join an organization/cause because it has worked for someone else in the past, find one that inspires you and pour your heart into it.

Krystle Campa
Shareholder, Davis Brown Law Firm
Eat the frog first. Start your day by tackling the most difficult project. Do not let it hang over your head while you procrastinate. After you finish it, the rest of your to-do list will be a breeze.

Alison Cate
Director of marketing and development, Goodwill of Central Iowa
Find alumni in your network and make lasting connections. I have been honored to lend mentorship to both my alma maters, Guthrie Center High School and Iowa State University, and I’ve always aimed to give extra time to respond when students needed guidance. Take advantage of your community and don’t be shy to introduce yourself or ask for advice.

Mathew Coen
Partner, RDG Planning & Design
Just ask. I have never met an established leader in this city who will not find the time to engage young professionals interested in contributing to the community. Similarly, I believe it is key to seek out like-minded organizations striving to fulfill a shared vision.

Maggie Crabb
Founder and executive director, Swerve Outreach and Altoona Kids Cafe
Be bold. If you believe in what you are doing, stay the course. Surround yourself with people who love, support and also challenge you to be the best version of yourself. Never, ever give up.

Libby Crimmings
Vice Principal of Community Planning, McClure
Be open to new or different opportunities. Take care of yourself; no one else will.

Deidre DeJear
Owner, Caleo Enterprises
We all have a reason for living. I call it purpose. Purpose is that thing that you love doing AND simultaneously has the capacity to improve the lives of others. Find your purpose and share it with the world.

Dan Drendel
Owner and principal, Slingshot Architecture
Share your passions openly and support others that do so as well. We can find each other and impact our community.

Katie Fencl
Vice president of conventions, sports and services, Catch Des Moines
From what I’ve experienced, across the metro and across all industries, Greater Des Moines leaders are very open and welcoming. If you’re looking to get involved, this is the place where you can interact daily with leaders and decision makers. If you’re looking to make things happen, just ask. This is a community that comes together to take action.

Rudy Fors
Vice president, business banking team manager, U.S. Bank
Invest in a life of learning and know that, in success, the common denominator is hard work. Change will always come, so be open to it. Maintain balance in your life, have a passion for what you do, work with people you enjoy being around, and make sure you have fun.

Katie Gieszler
Economic development specialist, City of Urbandale
Network with people in other industries. Your view and knowledge of our local region and world may change and grow. Having a broad network to call upon when you need a range of perspectives is important. Have hope for the future and be fearless in pursuit of your passions.

Mollie Giller
Director of advancement, Science Center of Iowa
Never be afraid to own your mistakes, to speak up when you don’t know something, and ask for help. No one (worthwhile) will see that as weak. I think my greatest moments came from the times I was scared out of my mind and just owned that feeling and moved forward.

Sara Hopkins
Realtor, ReMax Concepts
Step outside your comfort zone. Put yourself in situations you’re not familiar with. That was one of the best things I did when I moved back to Des Moines. I became involved in organizations I was passionate about that forced me to meet new people and connections in the community.

Kristin Hurd
Business developer, Hurd Real Estate Services
Accept board appointments and committee and fundraising requests from organizations whose mission aligns with your passions and interests. If you don’t, you won’t be an effective advocate for the cause. Also, give yourself permission to say no. When you overcommit yourself, organizations suffer because you are not able to successfully fulfill your responsibilities. To be an effective leader, self-awareness is a must. Make sure you know your limits.

Amy Johnson
Partner, BrownWinick Law Firm
Always smile.

Sid Juwarker
Senior associate, Terracon
Make it a priority to have fun, be courteous, and leave your company, organization, community or public restroom in better shape than you found it, and everything else falls into place.

Kris Kunze
Founder, managing principal and senior electrical engineer, KCL Engineering
Be proactive. Don’t be afraid to get involved, challenge the process and find a way to constructively and respectfully share your opinions. Making an impact and contributing to the process gets you noticed and creates a surprising number of professional and personal opportunities.

Maren Lenhart
Public benefit planning analyst, Delta Dental of Iowa
We are all smart. Distinguish yourself by being kind.

Chris LoRang
Owner, Capital Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center
One of my favorite activities is to introduce friends and colleagues to each other. When I hear a story, a business inquiry, or know someone would benefit from a connection, I try to introduce them to a good contact. We never know what friendships, ideas or connections can be formed from a warm introduction.

Stephani Manning
Vice president/shareholder, Holmes Murphy/Innovative Captive Strategies
Be kind. People remember how you make them feel. Put yourself in a position that makes people want to help you, because you’ll need it. And then pay it forward.

Kevin McCarthy
Director of public relations, Workiva
Be authentic. Always. Learn from every opportunity and share your experiences with your peers. Be kind to and respectful of everyone, especially servers and airline attendants; they know more than you do. And don’t give up because something is harder than you expected. Remember, the last thing was hard, too.

Shayla McCormally
Attorney, McCormally & Cosgrove
Show up and say yes to a cause you care about. Raise your hand, then jump in and do the work. You always have something to offer, and there are others who can fill in what you don’t know. When you are passionate about something, the “work” is always more enjoyable.

Keshia Meissner
Executive director, Beacon of Life
I think Tim McGraw said it best: Always stay humble and kind. Never forget those that have helped you along the way and to help the next one in line. It doesn’t matter where you work or your position, but being humble and kind will always help you get where you’re going.

Brooke Mickelson
Owner, Brookies
When I had our first son, the nurse looked at me and said, “Your new baby does not know that you are doing anything wrong. Be confident in your actions. In your eyes, he thinks you are perfect.” This is so true and has given me confidence in other areas of my life as well. To new professionals, continue to be you and do you! Stick with your gut decision because no one can do you better than YOU!

Corey Morrison
Chief strategy and development officer, On With Life
Opportunities for community involvement are endless, but don’t just get involved because it benefits you. I recently had the opportunity to have coffee with leadership expert Jim Autry, who shared, “Leadership is not about what you do, it’s about what other people do because you were there.” Brilliant and inspiring.

Gabriel Olson
First vice president, West Bank
Be patient and stay humble. A memorable reputation in business and the community is not built overnight but can tarnish quickly. Keeping a sense of humility will help you overcome the bad times and stay grounded during the good times.

Justin Platts
Principal, RDG Planning & Design
Run your own race. Don’t find a peer to compare yourself to. Competition by comparison is limiting. Their success is not your success. Instead, define success for yourself. Set goals that will result in that success. Understand how you will achieve those goals. Then act.

Cassie Sampson
Owner, East Village Spa
My friend Marsha Steele taught me to use my voice. Early in my career I worried about “ruffling feathers” on boards if I disagreed with the majority. It is important to listen to and understand other perspectives, but if you can back up your opinion, you need to share it.

Natasha Sayles
Executive director, Des Moines Wine Festival Foundation
Always be genuine. The people of Des Moines are welcoming and willing to help. If you put in the legwork and show your passion, there is almost no door in this community that is shut to people with the right intentions.

Will Signs
Relationship Manager, Family Office Services, Krause holdings
Jump in. Don’t wait to express your interest in something; start working on an idea, open up conversations or ask for help on a passion project. One of the single most incredible things about our city is that people are genuinely interested in helping you succeed.

Joseph Sorenson
Vice president of affiliate relations, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
Connie Wimer says she has many mentors in her life and not all of them know it. I try to be observant and learn from other people, the good and the bad. When you identify someone that has a background, skill set or work style you appreciate, introduce yourself. That is where mentorship starts.

Antoinette Stevens
Cybersecurity analyst, Principal Financial Group
Give yourself permission to fall down, but make sure you can get back up. Sometimes, we think that being successful means we have to always win and excel at every step. Allowing yourself to not be perfect at all times gives you room to be brave and learn what works and what doesn’t.

Joey Taylor-Moon
Director of marketing, Hubbell Realty Co.
Take chances and experience new things (clubs, events, assignments) even if they end up not being right for you ? you never know until you try. You have to experience the community you live in to become involved in it. Ask questions. They can be great conversation starters.

JR Textor
Commercial leasing manager, Hubbell Realty Co.
One thing I wished I had pursued was an internship prior to or while in college. This would have helped me better understand my professional career path.

Amanda Young
Senior vice president, human resources, Bankers Trust
Be YOU; everyone else is taken. Hopefully you will have some great mentors who give you invaluable feedback, but remember others may tell you things to change about yourself that make THEM more comfortable with you. Be able to tell the difference.