MADE Magazine Issue 6 - English January / February 2016 | Page 16

Nakhia Crossley, Esq., 31, an Illinois State Regulatory

Coordinator of the Continuing Education Programs at The

Attorney, adds, “Sallie Mae is a big part of my life! Not only

University of Mississippi, explains, “’Work life balance”

does she affect my budgeting and financial planning, she

means that I’m not stressed about work once I leave

also has influence over my career trajectory in terms of

the office. I enjoy my free time. I couldn’t take a job that

earnings.”

required me to be “on call” or work outside of the typical
9-to-5.”

Millennials are being questioned on a topic connected
to student loan debt: career planning. According to the

The perceived collision of career and family is another

White House report, the type of job market that millennials

topic for which millennials have had to explain themselves.

have navigated is a result of several decades of slow
wage growth compounded by the Great Recession, thus

“In 2013, only 30 percent of 20 to 34 year-olds were

millennials have seen slower wage growth than previous

married, compared to 77 percent in 1960,” according to the

generations.

White House report. But, such figures do not mean that
millennials are opposed to family.

“The recession and significant debt have shaped my
professional timeline and goals,” Crossley says. “Your

“I eventually