5 Things We Can Learn From Forbes's 2017 List of 30 Under 30

Don't call them "influencers" — today's standout millennials feel more closely aligned with the term innovators. Forbes's most recent 30 Under 30 list celebrates the contributions of the year's most accomplished professionals under the age of 30, highlighting 600 passionate people (30 people chosen for 20 categories) who are making waves in their respective fields, including art and style, energy, finance, food and drink, health care, media, and science.

The 2017 batch features some well-known names such as Margot Robbie and Kylie Jenner, along with popular vegan chef and Cupcake Wars winner Chloe Coscarelli (who became successful while powering her happy!). In addition, there are lesser-known innovators, like 27-year-old female Silicon Valley venture capitalist Lu Zhang and Bumble's founder and CEO, Whitney Wolfe.

So how does one make it to the top of one's field at such a tender age? Keep reading for the lessons we can glean from this year's list of under-30 Forbes stars.

01
First and foremost, millennials are innovators.
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First and foremost, millennials are innovators.

According to those selected for Forbes's list, 49 percent would describe millennials as "innovators," while 23 percent used the word "idealists," 18 percent said "influencers," and 10 percent preferred the term "inventors." For whatever reason, thinking outside the box seems to be the key skill for the millennial set.

02
Identify a problem that needs solving and then solve it.
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Identify a problem that needs solving and then solve it.

In the spirit of innovation, a majority of the 30 Under 30 honorees (57 percent) put their creative thinking to use by identifying a problem and then started their business as a way to solve that problem. And in the spirit of another word listed above, "idealism," 27 percent of them aim to change the world with their business.

03
The coastlines are where it's at!
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The coastlines are where it's at!

Out of the 600 total honorees, a whopping 75 percent live or work on the two coasts. A slightly larger percentage lives on the West Coast (39 percent) compared to those living on the East Coast (36 percent). What's more, the five most attended universities of the 30 Under 30 are also almost all located on one of America's side edges: Harvard University, MIT, New York University, Stanford University, and University of Pennsylvania.

04
Define "success" without using the word "money."
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Define "success" without using the word "money."

Only four percent of the folks featured on the list said that fame or fortune was what drove them toward success. For nearly half of them (48 percent), success was defined as "achieving your potential," while the other 48 percent believe success equals "liking yourself and what you do." So even the under-30 crowd knows that if you pursue your passions and foster your potential, the success will follow.

05
"Grit" is far more important than talent or skill.
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"Grit" is far more important than talent or skill.

Natural-born talent will only get you so far — the rest has to come from hard work and sheer determination. As Thomas Edison put it, "Genius is one percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration." Many of this year's under-30 movers and shakers would agree; 35 percent believe "grit" is the most important trait for entrepreneurs. The next most important trait? "Passion."