Wednesday, 14 January 2009
The Gen Y Millenials have a point!
The Wall Street Journal ran an Article "Trophy Kids Meet the Cruel World" a week ago. A reply letter from an eloquent Millenial sheds light on their valid point of view:
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"I take offense at the patronizing profile of the Millennial generation. The so called "negative" traits he describes are the very traits that will help Millenials succeed.
I was born in 1981, and I happily acknowledge that I possess many of the traits:
The desire to "know how (I'm) doing weekly, even daily." Check.
Placing a "high premium on success, filling resumes with not only academic accolades but also sports and other extracurricular activities." Check.
The confidence to "brashly fire off emails to everyone from the CEO on down, trying to get an inside track to a job." Check.
Don't those sound like good traits in this economy?
We embody these traits not because we believe we are better than others but because of lessons learned from our times and because of the failures of the Baby Boomers and Generation X.
We understand better than any generation since the Great Depression that security isn't guaranteed.
We watched 9/11. We are now watching the economy collapse.
When we seek higher pay or promotions, , it's because we know that, as the youngest employees, we are the easiest to let go.
When we appear "disloyal" to a company it's because companies are no longer loyal to employees, which is a development that happened on the Boomer's watch.
We also understand the impact work has on family life.
When we want flexible work schedules and vacation,
it's because we are unwilling
to make the same mistakes as our Boomer parents.
Our mothers sought professional fulfillment, and we became latch-key kids. Many of our parents got divorced.
Note to Boomers: Not everything we learn from you is something you tell us.
(end of letter)
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I (Ellen) can absolutely see their point.
I delayed Thanksgiving dinner one year and numerous of my kids' birthdays over the years toiling away on something that amazingly seemed more important at the time. Ouch!
The Millenials will lead the charge for true equality without elitist boundaries and work where people are treated humanely with respect. They know that life is precious and fragile and are not willing to settle for anything less than a life lived fully.
I may even get a tatoo myself! :)
As always, let me know your thoughts.
I love hearing from you. :) Ellen
