From golf to fast food restaurants and even newspapers, it seems like millennials get accused of ruining or killing industries all the time. I often get frustrated when my generation gets maligned in the media and elsewhere.

Yes, don't let the bald head fool you: Technically, I'm a millennial.

When it comes to gripes about my generation in the workplace, the typical refrain is that millennials are entitled. Conventional wisdom is because we were given participation trophies when we were young, we need to be constantly rewarded for everyday tasks. (I'd like to point out that millennials didn't give themselves these trophies when they were 8 years old. That honor goes to our baby boomer or Generation X parents.) Other complaints include: Millennials are impatient when it comes to advancement, millennials are not as dedicated as other workers because they value things like work-life balance, and millennials are often outspoken and not respectful to elders.

I had the pleasure of talking to the incoming class of the Plastics Hall of Fame earlier this year, and I wanted to share with you a few insights and pieces of advice these giants of the industry had for younger workers entering the industry. Ira Boots, who led Berry Plastics for many years and is now chairman of Milacron Holdings Corp., said his advice to young workers was to take care of your faith, family and workplace. In that order.