I love/hate going to work every day. I love/hate telling people what I do. I love/hate my coworkers. I love/hate my job.
Such is life as a young, Gen Y professional.
Sure, there are things that everyone loves or hates about work, jobs and careers. And there are those that live by the mantra, “If it were fun, it wouldn’t be called work.” And on the flip-side, “Do what you love.” But why this dichotomy? Why this love/hate relationship?
Let’s first talk about what Gen Yers hate about work:
- Set hours (i.e. nine-to-five) and long hours
- Being told what to do
- Being told how to do it
- Dealing with deadlines and firedrills and the stress that comes with those
- Getting paid too little
- Being at the bottom of the totem pole
- Paying your dues and not being rewarded for it
But we love:
- Being a professional and having real responsibility
- The opportunity to learn and grow
- Working with people who are smarter and better than us
- Being competitive with those who are smarter and better than us
- Getting paid
- Getting promoted
- BUSINESS CARDS!
There are those that don’t fit the mold above, but for the most part, when we’re out of college and going into the real world, it’s exciting to be a young professional, get real and think we’ve matured and made something of ourselves.
And at the same time, we’re college grads in denial. Me, personally? I’m binge drinking like I was in college. I enjoy playing some Beirut (or what many mistakenly call Beer Pong – and I will not budge in that distinction). I miss having a campus. I miss not having bills to worry about. And I can go on forever.
But let’s talk about that happy medium. On our end, we need to balance our college tendencies with professionalism and this newfound sense of “responsibility.”
For our employers and 26+colleagues, however, it’ll take some understanding and require throwing stereotypes out the window (or accepting some of them).
Let me leave you with a few pointers:
- We’re entitled! Get over it. We just need a lot of reinforcement, like “good call,” “nice job” and “great email!” Because we still work hard and love being creative! Just ask this old Boomer.
- Mentor and nurture us. Don’t throw something on our plate and call it a “challenge” or a “learning experience.” F that. Teaching your kid how to swim by throwing them in the deep end scars her or him. Take the time to walk us through something and teach us a thing or two.
- At the same time expect a lot out of us. We’re smart. Give us those challenges that we’ll need to go out of our way to learn and do. We want responsibility – it makes us feel good, it gives us bragging rights and it feeds our egos. And when we mess up, please be easy on us. Check our work, and give us constructive criticism.
- Titles only mean so much. Don’t discard what we say or what we think because we’re an Assistant or Associate something-or-other. If you’re some VP dinosaur and think that we don’t know any better, start opening your ears and mind; you’ll learn, grow and make SVP a lot quicker.
That’s all I’ve got. And I’ll end with a couple of questions:
Millennials, what am I missing?
Older folks, what can we do to make you love your job?
Photo Credit: booleansplit
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by dylanOKNEMYLK, Christine Peterson, Janet Aronica, NextGreatGeneration, Angela Stefano and others. Angela Stefano said: RT @NextGreatGen: NEW POST: Jobs. Can’t live with ‘em; Can’t live without ‘em. http://bit.ly/d8hZty #tngg [...]
I love deadlines! They give me a great adrenaline rush.
I couldn't agree more with the last point you make. Just because I am young and haven't worked for the company for 20 years doesn't mean that my ideas are not worth listening to! If I am not sure about something or I don't know enough to make a comment then I won't say anything. But if I am suggesting something that means I've thought about it and I am confident it actually make sense and might be the solution.
I don't entirely agree with the reinforcement point. Yes, we need reinforcement but only when we deserve it, only when we accomplish something new and challenging. I hate when people I work with say “This is great!”, “Thank you for doing this!”, “Good job!” for simple things that I do every day. I feel that they say it only because someone told them Gen Y needs reinforcement.
Business Cards! Yes!!! It's great to be tied to an organization/company that people associate specific terms with (whether that be good or bad). For example “Oh you work for Wal*Mart? Oh.” hahah
When I was an underclassmen, I was always frustrated with the fact that most of my generation would be stuck with lower rung jobs. But now, I think in terms of companies, they are putting as much (if not more) in hiring you as an individual. So proving yourself is all the more important during your first years/months at a company.
But then again, our generation is known for wanting everything as soon as they hear about it. What do you think?
Great article Eugene!
Hey Eugene – Interesting perspective on Gen Y in the workforce. I think it probably fits most Gen Y, but I think there's a growing trend in companies (slow to be sure, but growing), to take that list of what “Gen Y hates about work” that you wrote about, and flip it on its head.
What Gen Y needs to do is to take a long hard look about what they hate about working, and find employers where those things don't apply. For a lot of professionals, 9 to 5 is an antiquated convention.
There's a few of your other “hates” and “loves” that I don't necessarily agree with, but hey, I'm the one who's always saying Gen Y isn't uniform, so it stands to reason that I wouldn't.
And the last thing that I have to say on this topic, because I've experienced it too much lately, is that Gen Y needs to stop talking and start working. I hear too many Gen Y's (probably all vying for my job) TALK about how great they are and what they can do, but don't see enough DOING. Sometimes, I'm as guilty of that as anyone, but at the end of the day, I roll up my sleeves and dig in.
@Andreana Yes!! Deadlines are amazing!
I work for myself, and set my own hours. I work on a deadline system–not an hours system. I show up when I want to, I work when and where I want to, and as long as my delivery is as solid as I've promised it will be, my clients don't care. My job requires intense bursts of creativity and extreme focus, so frankly if I had to try to do it 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, I'd lose my passion very quickly. I feel like it's a more honest way to work; if I do go into an office, I'm not playing Facebook Scrabble on the company's time. I'm there to work.
I'm a “gen X”, although I hate that term… I think the best thing you can do to gain respect is give it. What I find fairly consistent about younger generations (I say this as an educator) is a self-centered focus. There are positive and negative aspects to this, so I don't mean to seem judgmental. But this article is no exception. If you want to bridge the gap, look at everyone — those older, those younger, and your peers — with an open and empathetic mind and a healthy dose of respect. You'd be amazed what happens.
Chris,
Couldn't agree more. And I'm glad you're answering the question I pose. Yes, many of us are self-centered (the author included). And I think there's got to be flexibility from everyone.
What's worked best for me is knowing that I'll need to pay my dues, taking those administrative requests and making copies and printouts. But when I walk into a meeting or a brainstorm, you can still count on me to speak up and kill it from time to time.
We're a bright generation – quick learners, insightful, passionate and tech-savvy for sure, but we DEFINITELY need to learn some respect and still have TONS to learn from our non-Millennial colleagues.
Cheers, and thanks for contributing!
Good points all around. Definitely take my post with a grain of salt. I can't speak for all Millennials, obviously.
I hear ya on finding a workplace culture that fits your personality, lifestyle and working style.
And yes, start DOING. But, let's face it. We can talk all we want, But the DOers are going to the be the ones who REALLY make it big.
Like everyone else has said, I definitely agree with the idea that just because I haven't been here forever, it doesn't mean I don't have good ideas.I also agree with the “mentor and nurture” point. I enjoy having a connection with the people I work with, knowing them well, and knowing that they care enough to make sure I understand and do well.
Or, at the very least, EXPLAIN to me why I am doing what I am doing. I won't necessarily find them all fascinating, but at least I'll understand why I'm doing the tasks I'm doing.
I get the feeling when someone constantly thanks me for doing something REALLY EASY that they thought I wouldn't be able to do it. And when I hear it all the time, I start to think that they don't expect much out of me. So yes we want positive reinforcement, but for things that actually took guts to do or when it was a new task, or when I did a REALLY awesome job at something.
Lauren, I want your job
Just a tad bit of jealousy there. Anyways, you pretty much embody what this GenYer wants for her work environment/style. I have no problem with the office that I work in at all, but coming into an office just to sit around and be seen drives me absolutely crazy from an efficiency standpoint. I'm definitely under-worked in my current position, so I'm definitely one of those people who comes into the office finding myself doing non-job-related things for much of the day.
Good for you for taking charge of your time!
The business cards comment is totally hilarious and true. The dislike of working a 9am-5pm job really resonates with me. I like flexibility and find I'm more productive when I'm given that option to work from home or late hours. I think my parents struggle to understand this at times. To them a “real job” or success equals checking in every day to an office, paying your dues and dealing with being at the bottom of the totem pole for a few years.
I LOVE the fact that you actually care about what us older folks think! I have seen WAY too many younger employees go on and on about how the older guys “just don't get it”. We're not hopeless, you know.
Back when I was a Big Boss, back before my brain injury, the thing I wanted to see most in young art directors and writers was a willingness to try really goddamn hard. The thing I hated above all else was those moments when I knew someone hadn't tried. Do that a few times and I saw to it that you got fired — and without any special considerations. Punt. With relish.
And really, that's it. TRY FUCKING HARD TO DO SOMETHING KILLER.
As for fixed hours, well, that's a reality thing. 9 to 5 is effective because everyone has agreed that within those hours, the expectation is that you're at work and ready to have face-to-face meetings. If you want to work your own hours, fine, but work for yourself and find a career that is non-real-time.
Damn, I sound pissed! Not sure why…
Jeff
the reason we're not as excited as you are with your “new and great” idea is because we've probably heard it before and know that it doesn't work-or, we dislike how you present it as if you're inventing the wheel. Or maybe you're presenting an idea that sounds good in theory, but would cost too much to implement. Give US some credit for our experience and we'll give you some credit for your “fresh” ideas.
And also, I think a lot of the resentment and bitterness that older folks have towards the younger workers is that they see themselves way back when and know they've not gone as far as they thought they would
Cammie,
Not sure you're commenting on my comment, but if you are, let me clarify something: if I sounded a little pissed in my post, it's only because the mere thought of people not trying their hardest drives me nuts. That's it.
And for what it's worth, older people aren't the only ones who can be deluded about their true genius, younger people are every bit as susceptible.
Last, setting aside the whole old vs. young thing (to my mind, it doesn't matter that much anyway, as I do not believe age and experience always correlate) you are someone prospective employers should avoid like the plague. And if you have a job, I feel sorry for your manager. I really do. I've had people like you work for me and god it sucked.
Jeff
Let me chime in here.
Cammie sounds like an “older” person, tho I hate saying it that way (and, yes, I know I use it in the post!).
Jeff, totally agree with you on your point about trying hard. We're smart, and I've seen that in some cases, you can get by with less… but it's definitely obvious. Adam Di Stefano says it really well. A lot of our generation says a lot, but we need to be DOers.
And many hate 9-to-5, but it's absolutely a reality. It's all give-and-take.
Cammie, if I'm reading your comment correctly and making a correct assumption that your not in my generation, then yes, we have fresh ideas, but we're not discounting yours. I totally trust that my managers are pulling from their incredible, extensive experience, and when I'm told that something has been done, isn't feasible or is outright wrong, I'll respect that – albeit with a grain of salt.
But, what I was speaking to are those situations where we won't even be listened to. Literally, not audibly listening to us!
I'm going to toot my own horn here for the sake of argument, but not too long ago, I was in a brainstorm where I would start speaking, and a VP would outright interrupt in the middle of my statement and take the conversation in a different direction. Afterward I approached a Managing Partner who was in the meeting and told him my idea. He acknowledged me, praised me for being a good thinker and we ended up taking the project in a completely different direction per my insight. He then told me to never be intimidated and always speak up, even if there are certain personalities in the room that are always trying to command the stage.
It's that kind of collaborative spirit and unbound (pardon my Mullen plug there) approach that makes an organization great and helps the youngins learn.
And do you really think that older generations look back nostalgically in that way? I think you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. It's just all about opening your mind and your ears, and always thinking creatively to stay relevant!
Cheers,
E
Eugene: Have you seen the recent debate going on over at What's Next, Gen Y? about expectations leaving job expectations post-college (http://www.whatsnextgeny.com/the-tug-of-truth/), which was followed up be a great “reality check” post from Sarah Morgan (http://www.whatsnextgeny.com/a-reality-check-fo…). I'd love to hear your thoughts on that debate.
“We're entitled. Get over it.” Bah ha ha ha ha. More like, get fired. According to US Census Bureau you're “Great Generation” is the one with the highest unemployment rate. Employers are sick of your self-entitlement. They'd rather give the few jobs that exist to people who WORK, not whine. This recent study published by Paul Harvey only confirms it http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/jobs/the_…
If you “love to be competitive with those who are smarter and better than you,” then WISE up. Show us what you got. Otherwise the only thing Millennials will do is destroy the Millennium. Just in time for 2012
You have highlighted many important points about Gen Y. I got reminded of this video post which you might be interested to see. “Jack in the box” http://www.vineetnayar.com/jack-in-the-box/
Clearly a Gen-Xer, yes?
I like to point to 2 things – 1) you're citing an article from a G.I. Generation broadcaster; and b) you're citing an article on the NY Post? Really?
Not to mention, you're trusting the census bureau – a department that can't even appropriately normalize data.
Agreed that a sense of OVER-entitlement can put Gen-Yers in a bad place, but I firmly believe that my generation has much to back our sense of entitlement. We're products of our progressive environments, and have the ambition and motivation to prove our worth in society.
I'm not old, nor am I published on a conservative rag like the New York Post (I'm only published in the Journal of Applied Physiology… NBD). But I think, on everyone's part, it requires an open mind and a little benefit-of-the-doubt to move forward and build a progressive world that merits intelligence, hard work or, at the very least, strong effort.
Look forward to hearing more of your thoughts.
Cheers,
E
You keep throwing the word OLD around and those from whom you could learn will never mentor or nurture you. And they will continue to call you “entitled.”
There’s a whole lot of suggestions on the market about interviewing and habits, however the bottom line is hiring managers will not just want to interview a timid push-over, or possibly a high and mighty bragger. They prefer to interview a personable, trustworthy, and assured qualified. Consider, the particular person has interviewed many individuals ahead of you and has seen every type of person. They are able to inform after you are extraordinarily nervous or putting on an act. They just desire to speak to a true particular person who can demonstrate on their own as being a good quality fit for that place and provider.