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There has been research suggesting that people under 40 want "purpose" with their paycheck.

Personally, I agree people want to do a good job, make a difference, and fulfill their manifest destiny. And FWIW, most Millenials and GenZers where I work leave (most of p) their politics at home (even if they telecommute). Maximizing shareholder value doesn't require burning a draft card, brassiere, flag, or Bidet kewpie doll.

But clearly some people have taken on the self-imposed title of Evangelist and Shape-Shifter. They don't want to JUST do a good job, they want to change society for "the better."

This is what happens when a job surrenders to passion and advocacy. Ruh Roh.

One of my brothers is a long serving employee in the Florida back-office operation of a large national financial services firm with a diverse workforce. Although the management and employees tend to be strongly conservative, political and other non-work related discussion are barred from the office. Even at that, my brother has watched new employees gradually go from callow and broadly woke in views and attitudes to become serious minded and conservative.

Over the years, my brother has mentored struggling new young employees to the point of "getting it." His capstone, closer speech is now something like, "Yeah, it's a pain in the neck to do it that way, but that is how the job is set up here. It's called work. You do it how they want and are reasonably good at it, and they give you a paycheck every couple of weeks, with stock options, retirement match, pay raises, and an annual bonus. You dress better, get a nice car, get married, buy a house, have kids, save and invest, and eventually you retire with a million or two in cash and stock and other assets -- you may even retire years early or go somewhere else and do even better. How's that for a life purpose -- having a good life for yourself and your family."

My brother has seen superficially unpromising kids as new employees shape up and quickly become solid, reliable workers and genuinely good people. And some have even asked him, quietly, by the way, "What do you think about who to vote for this year?"