Generation Y or Millenials, Essay Example

Introduction

The term “Millennials” is often used to describe the generation that was born between 1980 and 2000 (Larabee & Robinson, 2001) . It is a term that does not only refer to the age of the people in this group, but their customs, attitudes, and social characteristics as well. Some authors, however, call this new group “Generation Y”. According to Hobbart (2010), Generation Y was born between the end of the 1970-s and the 1990-s. Both descriptions of the groups indicate that the individuals that belong to that given generation grew up to use technological and communication technology, and they are connected with the globalised world more than any other age groups in the world. The below essay will examine the specific characteristics of Generation Y or the Millennials, based on their attitude towards work, commitment, relationships, international affairs, and globalization.

How Millennials are Different

Veterans (born between 1922 and 1945) know what war is and have experienced the Great Depression. They are likely to save up for rainy days, and they love traditions. They had first hand experience of World War II, and they believe “duty before pleasure” (Hobart, 2010). Baby Boomers (born after the war, before 1964) are currently getting close to retirement. They grew up in a prosperous world, and are often considered to be “workaholics”. They believe in stories about the “self made man” and are result-oriented. As Hobbart (2010, p. 3) confirms: “This generation believes strongly in the idea of personal development and growing into a more

“whole” person”. The next generation before Generation Y or the Millennials is Generation X. These people, born between 1965 and the end of the 1970-s witnessed how the Cold War ended. They remember the Soviet Union and the time when there were two separate worlds and ideologies. They believe in the superiority of the West over the East. They grew up independent, as during the years of rebuilding countries after the war, most parents (Baby Boomers) were in full time employment. They have familiarized themselves with information technology, and learned computer skills. However, they did not “born into” the globalised world and the age of Internet, and will never be as competent as Generation Y, or the Millennials. People belonging to the group of Millennials were the last to gain professional qualifications and enter the world of employment. According to Hobbart (2010, p. 4), this group is often defined as competent and frequent users of Internet and interactive communications. They also have a strong sense of individuality, and a high self-esteem. This generation’s overall education level is higher than any other group’s. It is evident that all generation’s parents wanted their children to achieve more than they could. Baby Boomers saved up for their children’s education, and Generation X was also making sure that the talent of their children is nourished. Generation Y’s members are not looking for job security any more, and are less loyal than any other group. They appreciate challenge at workplace, and tend to look at the big picture instead of “just doing the job”.

Myths About Generation Y-s

As there are now more Generation Y-s than Baby Boomers in America (Larrabee & Robinson, 2001), it is important that the society understands them. The top myths described by Hobart (2010) need to be analysed in order to create work, education, and community programs for this generation. The author (Hobart, 2010) addresses the first misconception of the society about Generation Y-s as being lazy as follows: “Though Generation Y-s are hardworking, they do require that their work be meaningful and interesting”. This means that in order to make the most out of themselves, Millennials need meaningful goals and challenges. Another important myth addressed by the author is that Generation Y-s need instant gratification: something that is often heard in various mediums. In reality, they are seeking results fast, and might not wait for feedback at the workplace until the next evaluation. Regarding the myth that they are disloyal, the author states that they are not, simply looking to remain open to opportunities for self- and career- development. This leads to another misconception: that Generation Y-s are selfish. They are indeed not workaholics like Baby Boomers, or as family oriented as Generation X-ers. They are finding both aspects of life equally important. The final myth that Hobart mentions is that this generation is spoiled. In reality, they have a supportive family background.

Conclusion

As a conclusion, there is nothing to be afraid of, when the 80 million Millennials or Generation Y-ers replace Baby Boomers in the world of work and society. Indeed, they bring in a new attitude towards work, opportunities, self-development, and information consumption that can be beneficial for all organizations. They are constantly looking for a challenge, are competent in using collaborative tools, and can take advantage of globalization. They represent a future that is built on respect, life-work balance, and collaboration on a global scale. They grew up to use the Internet and accept people from different cultures. They are more tolerant and more flexible than other generations.

References

Hobart, B. (2010) Understanding Generation Y. What you need to know about the Millennials. Princeton One. Retrieved from http://www.princetonone.com/news/PrincetonOne%20White%20Paper2.pdf

Larrabee, A. & Robinson, E. (2001) Ready or not, here they come: Motivating and retaining the Millennial generation. Belloaks Executive Research. Retrieved from http://www.belloaks.com/