The objective of this research is to identify the key values held by a group of individuals of generation Y, and how those values can impact over their decision to join a public organization, the BNDES. This generation group has distinct features compared to previous generations, such as the sense of freedom, the dynamic of thought and action, and the search for success. The methodology adopted was qualitative, and based on the strategy of case study, through interviews using an open script based on Schwartz (1992). The literature dealing with generation differences, generation Y, and values were used as background for analysis of the data obtained. The main result of this research suggests that some of the characteristics addressed by the literature related to generation Y were confirmed. However, there are some discrepancies regarding other characteristics, which reinforce the idea that young people of generation Y have distinct characteristics, when interested in joining public organizations.