Final Year: My Last year at UWI

By Tyler Hayes

via: Brazen Careerist

Generation Y (and possibly Generation Z) might be in big trouble. We’re stepping into the world as if what our parents told us still holds true. One problem: much of what we were told about how to live our lives has completely changed. Parenting, education, even beliefs, have all been challenged. Both by technology’s increasing rate of advancement and especially the Internet.

Our parents led lives based on what their parents told them. We don’t get that luxury. Much of what our parents told us will not hold true as we get older. “Find a job that pays money, even if you’re miserable, and stick to it.” “Go to college, and you’re guaranteed a good job.” ”

A few examples, though there are plenty more:

• Job security - Most people think of Gen Y as job-hoppers; but, as it turns out, it’s not our fault. It’s because the Top 10 jobs in 2010 didn’t exist in 2004. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that today’s learner will have 10-14 jobs by the age of 38. (I’ve already had 7 and I’m 23.)
• Job competition - Gen Y is already the largest workforce. Three billion people lived on this planet when the Baby Boomers (our parents) were born. Now, there are seven billion people. Fortunately, the global population growth rate has slowed a bit. Still, that’s a lot more competition.
• Education system - Our education system isn’t broken, it’s obsolete, argues Alex Krupp. I agree. Sadly, the Internet has made us worse at concentration. We have trouble memorizing large amounts of facts; though, I would contend that saliency is more important than the broad, sweeping strokes of rote memorization our education system has used for the past 100 years. On the bright side, the Internet has also made Millenials much better at speed (we learn more quickly) & creativity.
• Methods of learning - For students starting a 4-year mechanical degree, 50% of what they learn in their first year will be outdated by their third year. Gen Y does just as much research & rating for jobs, products, people, and travel as older generations. This, multiplied with their incessant communication with each other and other unfamiliars, leads to unprecedented amounts of information intake. In fall 2001, 99 percent of public schools in the United States had access to the Internet. When I was in college, 100% of my classes used the Internet (not just e-mail, either) in some fashion, most used all fashions: teaching, delivering assignments, grading assignments, class communication.
• Growing up - Generation Y leads Internet usage numbers-wise according to Pew/Internet, though they define Gen Y as born between 1977-1990, whereas the standard is typically 1981-1990. This could potentially lead to over-attribution of Gen Xers to Gen Y, lowering the overall Gen Y percentages (vice versa for Gen X). Millenials use the Internet mostly (and more than any other generation) for entertainment & social interaction. They are writing, reading, watching, and listening to things that previous generations didn’t have access to until they were much older. As such, they are growing up faster and learning more about the world around them even faster.
• Cost of learning - Having just spent (through grants, loans, scholarships, and wonderful parents) $40,000/year at St. Olaf, I can’t imagine what my children might have to pay. My grandpa talks about how, since he paid his way through college, I should have been able to do the same. I’ll do that the next time he can find me a $60,000/year job straight out of high school.
• Human interaction - Our parents had face-to-face contact, and eventually even telephones. It was pretty easy to decide how you could appropriately get a hold of someone, right? We have cell phones, email, text, IMing, chat rooms, VoIP, video chat, Internet forums, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more. Where to start…

However, there is some good news. Gen Y can at least look forward to retaining/losing the following parenting skills (depending on your perspective):

• Getting fed up - “Because I said so!” Can’t beat that.
• Motherisms - ”Reading in the dark hurts your eyes. Go to bed.” It’s not the point, it’s the tone…
• Fatherisms - “When I was your age…” Just try and contest me!