Generation Y prospects of us in the future

trekkie · **Posted:** January 4th, 2011, 12:43 am

Quote:

About 77 million American Gen Yers were born over an 18-year span — 1981 through 1999. That's about the size of the Baby Boom, though Gen Y is a smaller share of the population. In 1970, for example, Baby Boomers accounted for nearly half of the total U.S. population, while today only about a fourth of Americans are part of Generation Y. Why such a difference in share? The Baby Boom was the result of birthrates that soared after World War II, peaking in 1957 and 1961. Women then simply had more children. Gen Y is big because there were so many Boomer women who could have babies, even though the number of births per woman plunged after the Pill became widely available.

The single most important difference between Gen Y and earlier generations: The Millennials' familiarity with technology. Gen Y cut its teeth on computers and digital media. More than any other population segment, Gen Yers see technology as enhancing the quality of their lives — making work easier, allowing them to manage time better and bringing family and friends closer. 90% of Gen Yers over the age of 18 use the Internet. 75% use social networking — Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. 60% of them access the Web wirelessly while on the go. 83% keep their cell phones nearby, day and night, awake or sleeping. Two-fifths don't even have a land line.

They Offer a Lot to Employers …

In addition to possessing a technological savvy that can't be beat, Gen Yers are well-schooled. One in five Millennials over the age of 18 have already graduated from college; one fourth of them are working on graduate degrees. Another fourth are in college and about 30%, though not now in school expect to earn a degree. They're on track to beat all previous generations. Gen Yers are also well traveled. About a quarter of a million Gen Yers study abroad each year. They're culturally awareÂthanks in part to their foreign studies and to the diversity of their peer groups. And Millennials are used to working in groups. From preschool on, they've been taught to work cooperatively, with stronger team members helping out others.

… But They'll Need Some Coaching

Millennials have different expectations about their jobs and careers than earlier generations. They expect work to be fun and meaningful. Few will stick with a job they dislike just for a paycheck. Two-thirds of Gen Yers who are already employed expect to change jobs sometime in their lives. 62% of Gen Xers and 84% of Baby Boomers plan to stay with their employers. As a group, Gen Y feels a real pull to contribute to making the world a better place, so companies that try to do good have particular appeal.

Personal relationships are paramount. Gen Yers find jobs through friends and want to work with friends. Loyalty is to a person — the boss — not the company. And time is more valued than money. Millennials want flexible schedules and may prefer additional vacation days to cash bonuses.

http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/ar ... way-for-generation-y

i took some of the paragraphs from the article. give it a read and lets see what you guys think about us as a whole.

Adbot · **Posted:** January 4th, 2011, 12:43 am

Evelyn · **Posted:** January 4th, 2011, 4:38 pm

Well, your job should be a bit more than just money.

Duke Juker · RSBandB Donor since 07/01/2010

Article was a bit hog washed. Accurate analysis looked good, but I have my doubts. As to whether or not this will be one of the best generations, I'd say no (at least by observation of my peers in college and high school). This generation, as hinted at in the article, can be quite careless and reckless. They don't fully understand the consequences of their actions. Their moral values are lacking in many areas and I think we'll see a dramatic change in the "standards or decency" everywhere we look. And like Cliff said, your job should be more than just money, but I feel like the people I know have been spoiled and don't understand a good work ethic or the value of a dollar. These next generation consumers may overspend just like their parents and find themselves in a deeper whole than they already are.

Oh, and that reminds me of one thing this article neglected. Of those Gen Y people in school, most are going on loans and federal backed spending. Most of this generation is going to be in a deeper debt hole than anyone before them. With so many education, car, house loans, etc., these kids are going to have a hell of a time paying off their debts and actually saving money for retirement.

I agree with the optimistic tone, but the underlying truth is that most of Gen Y is going to be starting in debt and with a bad job market too boot. Very few will find the jobs they are happy in and make a lot of money at. But, that's just my opinion.

Shane · **Posted:** January 4th, 2011, 7:51 pm

Duke Juker wrote:

This generation, as hinted at in the article, can be quite careless and reckless. They don't fully understand the consequences of their actions. Their moral values are lacking in many areas and I think we'll see a dramatic change in the "standards or decency" everywhere we look.

I'm inclined to agree. I know a few of the people I talk with feel the same way. The general consensus is that society as we know it is slipping away. Will it be a long term trend? I hope not. Another thing that has come up in discussions I've had before is that this generation isn't as appreciative as they should be. Everything is expected. This goes back to the debt issue as well. My generation hasn't had to live through a great depression, honestly I think it would have done some good in terms of a lesson if the recession of the tail end of the decade was worse.

In any case, those are the thoughts on the matter. I'm scared for the future in this area. GROW UP FAST!!!

Brimmk · **Posted:** January 5th, 2011, 6:51 pm

I would have to agree for the most part with Shane and Duke, but of course, we're Gen-Y talking about Gen-Y. Anyways, to the article; I honestly and seriously disagree with the "culturally aware" statement. Having interacted with many people both here in Brazil and in the US, I would have to say people are a tiny bit more culturally aware, but not much. The fact is in my mind, that people our age end up becoming so engrossed in their own little groups through Facebook, twitter and other social media, that they forget that the rest of the world is also out there. I know and have known some very well informed people over the years, but I've also met people that have never even left their own state at the age of 18. The fact is, while we have more opportunity to learn more from other cultures, many don't even care. There are people our ages that think that Africa is a country, all Japanese konw martial arts, all Indains sound like Apu from "The Simpsons" and the "multi-cultural experience" they put on their college applications is occasionally saying "hi" to the guatemalan-american family down the street and eating mexican "Carnitos" on saturday afternoons.