corporate America: December 2007 Archives
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I've been reading various Gen-Y blogs lately. One topic that has come up a few times, in various forms, is how we're "taking over" and how other people (usually the older folk) aren't happy about us. They view my generation as whining, over-privileged, tech-obsessed kids who don't want to work hard, but still want the benefits. At first (like any other self-respecting 20something), I was defensive and quick to discredit the critics as out of touch and jealous. But the longer I think about it, and watch people around me, I see that they may have a point.
Now, before I'm blasted for being an apologist for "the man", hear me out. A gal named Jackie has been writing an ongoing series for Employee Evolution talking about her experiences with joining corporate America and all that comes with it. Now, in following her reading (which I enjoy quite a bit), I can relate to a lot of what she's talking about. Granted, I started in the 'cube when I was 18, so a lot of that has long since come and gone. But some of it...well...is just complaining. And I'm not attempting to single her out, because I see the same theme all over the place.
If you were to ask anyone between the ages of 18-24 if they'd be willing to "put in the hard work" to get a career going, I'm sure almost all of them would answer a resounding YES. And they'd mean it. But, my experience has been so far that many of them think they've ALREADY put in the work. I'm sorry, but college is not a proving grounds for the real world. I never went away to school (for various reasons), and when I would visit my friends in various campuses across Florida, it was a vacation. There's nothing realistic about sleeping until 10 am on ANY day of the week, nor is using the fact that you live at home as leverage for a raise. Then we've got people regretting good grades in college. I could keep going, but I think my point is made.
Rebecca Thorman makes some excellent points regarding the rift between Gen X and Gen Y. I think she's right on the mark, but I wonder why collectively my generation doesn't take any of the blame to go along with the credit. I mean, I'm heralded for my grasp of technology at work, but that doesn't mean that the criticism I get for coming across as arrogant isn't correct. I do come across that way sometimes, because while I may be more of an adult than I ever thought I'd be, I'm still a punk kid sometimes who doesn't play nice with others. And my boss's 30+ years of experience, while technologically outdated, is still worth a lot.
Now, before I'm blasted for being an apologist for "the man", hear me out. A gal named Jackie has been writing an ongoing series for Employee Evolution talking about her experiences with joining corporate America and all that comes with it. Now, in following her reading (which I enjoy quite a bit), I can relate to a lot of what she's talking about. Granted, I started in the 'cube when I was 18, so a lot of that has long since come and gone. But some of it...well...is just complaining. And I'm not attempting to single her out, because I see the same theme all over the place.
If you were to ask anyone between the ages of 18-24 if they'd be willing to "put in the hard work" to get a career going, I'm sure almost all of them would answer a resounding YES. And they'd mean it. But, my experience has been so far that many of them think they've ALREADY put in the work. I'm sorry, but college is not a proving grounds for the real world. I never went away to school (for various reasons), and when I would visit my friends in various campuses across Florida, it was a vacation. There's nothing realistic about sleeping until 10 am on ANY day of the week, nor is using the fact that you live at home as leverage for a raise. Then we've got people regretting good grades in college. I could keep going, but I think my point is made.
Rebecca Thorman makes some excellent points regarding the rift between Gen X and Gen Y. I think she's right on the mark, but I wonder why collectively my generation doesn't take any of the blame to go along with the credit. I mean, I'm heralded for my grasp of technology at work, but that doesn't mean that the criticism I get for coming across as arrogant isn't correct. I do come across that way sometimes, because while I may be more of an adult than I ever thought I'd be, I'm still a punk kid sometimes who doesn't play nice with others. And my boss's 30+ years of experience, while technologically outdated, is still worth a lot.
