Or do we?
"Selfish"."Lazy". "Spendthrift". "The best looking generation yet".
Bosses hate us. Old people hate us. We hate us.
Maybe not the last one, but what's so bad about Gen Y? We have a plethora of cute and cuddly aliases.Internet Generation. Echo Boomers. iGeneration. The MyPod Generation. The Millenials. What's NOT to love?!
Is it because Josh Thomas can never get any questions right on Talking About Your Generation?
(Generation) Why, Morgan Freeman, (Generation) why?!!
As a proud Gen Y-er, I Googled (because that's what us Gen Y krazy kats do. Also notice how Google is a noun) "Generation Y" to try and discover what exactly about us it is that ticks everyone off so much. Is it because we know how to use iPhones while Baby Boomers mash the touch screen? Is it because we are so ambitiously set on our dream career we aren't afraid to mention it in the job interview? Is it because we discovered there was no Santa before we were meant to?
According to this news story bosses dislike Gen Y because we are "short on skills, demanding, impatient and far-from loyal."
Hymph.
The 4.5 million of us in Australia are also constantly scouring for reassurance, it seems. Okay, I'm guilty of this. I admit it. Is it a crime I just want to know I'm doing something right? Yes, yes it is. Our ambition and need-to-know mindset puts us at a disadvantage when compared to our predecessor, Generation X.
HOWEVER, there is light at the end of the tunnel! When some say we are impatient, I like to say we are prompt, self-sufficient and reliable. These are enviable traits, surely. Evidence also shows we are more culturally aware (this is debatable. I'm thinking the low tolerance we have towards Muslims post 9/11), tech-savvy and socially adept.
I'd hate to think that a few Gen Y-ers are letting down the team. Turn your grimaces and smirks into sensational smiles, say yes to everything instead of "You want me to do what?" and move out of home. We are the future, gosh darnit!
Now, to take my own advice
Pics: Josh Thomas: http://media.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2010/07/29/josh_thomas_290710_t325.jpg
Who's Hire A Gen-Y?: http://thegenyblogger.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/gen-y1.jpg
Generation Y: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGQjrJzVhK6MNRgW2POYaxtT4DL3K0eTK0a1WKY7ExZKy6xUGu4vvzK5t3hgZNJD-VTFzZo5B7pxSAq6FRBzmUYWquW1rffMiOVZaIMKYCT6oda3Ej0WoXYT42xMB_EKqdRYImYxeWJXJ/s400/generation+Y.bmp
Generation Y: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGQjrJzVhK6MNRgW2POYaxtT4DL3K0eTK0a1WKY7ExZKy6xUGu4vvzK5t3hgZNJD-VTFzZo5B7pxSAq6FRBzmUYWquW1rffMiOVZaIMKYCT6oda3Ej0WoXYT42xMB_EKqdRYImYxeWJXJ/s400/generation+Y.bmp
I feel like this topic has been done to death and well into the after life, but I still love reading articles in defense of Generation Y!
ReplyDeleteI think we cop a lot of flak because we're so damned confident! Perhaps to the point of being arrogant, but it's a fine line to tread between appearing confident but not cocky. I think Gen Y needs to listen to the advice of older generations, but also have faith in themselves.
I agree (also with the 'done to death bit', I apologise!). All it seems to take is one cocky entry-level staffer and suddenly the whole world thinks all Gen Y-ers are over-confident know-it-alls. you're right, we need to realise that in order to move up in our careers we need to work hard and EARN our places- while still respecting those in the positions above us that we are aspiring to. However, I'm starting to sound like a preachy Gen Y-er...
ReplyDelete