Where to for millenials?

I’ve long argued that while it is all good stuff having a fresh generation come into the profession, their idealism would quickly be knocked out of them. As one of the Flower Power generation, I know only too well what that means and have been surprised that so little has been said on that score. Instead, I’ve seen a constant stream of ‘we’re going to change the world’ posts with little critique to counter some of the more outrageous claims. But as we move deeper into recession, it is interesting to see the reqactions of those millenials caught in the crossfire.

Over at Social Honeycomb, Amanda asks:

It will be interesting to see how the hits we take today will affect the Millennial generation’s outlook and experiences in the future. I wonder too, if perceptions of our generation will change as we work hard to adapt and navigate these hard times. Will the kids who were told they could do anything change their tune after going through a major recession?

If they haven’t then they should. There’s nothing like an economic reality check to temper the enthusiasmn of idealistic youth. Not that idealism is an issue per se. Rather it takes years to get into a position where you can make the kinds of choice you’d like to believe will lead to radical change. And by that time? As far as I can tell, by the time you’ve climbed the greasy pole to a poistion of relative comfort and safety you’ll likely not question the ‘rules’ that got you there in the first place. I believe that explains why so many professionals eschew the new technologies I personally find exciting.

Comments to Amanda’s post reflect a spectrum of reactions but for me the most interesting came from Alexa who said:

We as millennials are poised to change the world, but my biggest fear is that the world is going to change us in the process (and not for the better). We definitely need some direction in life, don’t get me wrong, but we have to find a happy balance between conformity and idealism.

and Angela Seits:

It’s possible that the recession will not make Gen Y jaded but will spur them on to become more determined. Hopefully, that determination will be used to become more innovative and CREATE jobs that fit one’s personality, desires, and a need in the market rather than simply compromise and adapt to what’s already out there.

I’ve got to admire Angela’s fiestiness but is it more an expression of hope than likely outcome? I really don’t know. My 18 year old son was made redundant the other week from his part time job. He sounded glum at the prospect of finding work. Even so, he retains an upbeat approach to life though how long that will last remains to be seen.

My parents were brought up in the Great Depression. It shaped their view of the world, the values they taught my brother and I. It never dimmed my enthusiasm for what I saw as a time of change in the late 1960’s but it was tempered by the reality of working in organizations where influence is not something to which anyone has a right and a sense of prudence that meant I didn’t go nuts in the consumer boom. Unlike other realtives who are mortgaged from here to eternity. I am grateful for that.

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Tagged as: Flower Power, Generation Y, Great Depression