Generation Y, yeah thats me. I’ve had 3 different jobs since graduating in 2005. I’ve also moved 6 times between 3 states. I embrace change. Does this mean I’m not a loyal employee? Do I move jobs because I have ADD? The fact is that I’m like many other GenY people, and one of the biggest differences with us is that we ask WHY!
Generation Y is entering the workforce and in many cases it has not been pretty. My generation represents 70 million workers, an amount nearly as large as the Baby Boomer generation.[1] Whats so different about us? I believe GenY is changing the American Dream. People used to say, “have a great idea, build a company, get rich” was the American dream. In fact, this is one reason why there is a huge draw to our society. It doesn’t matter if you grow up in a slum, you still have the same opportunity to get rich as everyone else. GenY is here to tell you now its different. The new American dream is not about money, its about knowledge, and not just any knowledge, but knowledge of things we’re passionate about. GenY is more interested in self-actualization and personal growth through learning. Sure, we want to make money, but it more important for us to be learning.
This means that GenY no longer looks at a job as a career path but rather a job has become a way to improve on a skill the person feels is valuable or simply feels interested in. GenY truly believes that if they aren’t interested in what they and doing, then there is no reason to do it. The hardest thing for a person of this generation to do is to get a job, with all their hopes and aspirations and then find themselves doing busy work for a manger or older coworker. This is completely demoralizing to the person because it hinders their new American Dream!
I was chatting with a friend of mine and he said he just got promoted to Engineer status. He’s a CE and had passed his PE test a few months back. This is what he said to me, “i am getting promoted to ‘civil engineer’ and one of the things my boss wants me to be better at is “Less desirable project execution and eagerness to take those responsibilities”. You see, when a boring project comes across the radar, he doesn’t get excited about it. Why would he though, he’s a GenYer. If the project doesn’t align with his interests, there is not reason to do it. Every moment spent doing something that is of little interest causes Us to ask ourselves, why am I doing this! Continuing with the work goes against every bone in our bodies!
One of the bashes against GenY is our high level of attricion. I think this is because business does not understand our new American Dream. What motivates us is meaningful work, being part of the team, being allowed to learn new skills and increase on ones we already have. What demotivates us is when we’re told to put our time in to move up, we’re given tasks that we don’t understand the reason for doing them, we’re forced into using antiquated technology and looked down upon for continuing to maintain our social networks online during the workday. After 6-12 months of this culture, we simply split to greener pastures. The problem is that often times the new job is just the same old gig. What looked like it would be different on the outside, turns out to be the same once on the inside. The only difference is this time, we’re getting paid a little bit better and so we might stick around a little bit longer.
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I would encourage you to embrace the new American Dream that generation Y is presenting for us all. It does not mean we will not be as profitible in business, or be able to continue in America’s innovative and inventive traditions. GenY will perhaps contribute the most of any generation to this pursuit, but it will do so by following each of our individual passions and quests for knowledge in those areas. The only thing missing right now, is the link that will bring the 70 million person workforce together with businesses that align with each individual persons goals.
1.) Generation Y: They’ve arrived at work with a new attitude, http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2005-11-06-gen-y_x.htm, Viewed 05/01/09
