06-28-2011, 07:05 PM
So, being an early model Gen-Xer, I now find myself in the position of being middle-manager guy.
As such, I've had to interact with a number of recent graduates (for the most part in their early-mid 20s, and definitely in Gen-Y demographically) as of late.
One thing I've noticed, in general, is that for the most part, they are MUCH less self-reliant than I remember myself and my cohorts being at their age.
That is, they seem to have no qualms over asking for the answer to something that they should be trying to figure out for themselves.
Some examples:
- Office 2003 won't open Office 2007 files (did you try adding in Microsoft's 2007 compatibility pack like I told you to? No - why don't you try that, and see if it helps.)
- You're having access issues to some of the folders on the Sharepoint site? (did you try contacting the Sharepoint point-of-contact that I gave you - you know, the person you were in touch with to create your Sharepoint account to begin with.)
- You don't know where to find Harry on the phone list? (did you try reading through the list, all one page of it, until you spotted his name?)
I'd say at least half of the Gen-Y crowd seem to be this way. They are otherwise bright (technically), but seem either almost helpless or are extremely lazy when it comes to figuring out things that they know someone else has the answer to.
So - just curious - knowing the demographics of this place (mostly older folks), what has YOUR experience been with Gen-Y folks in the workplace?
As such, I've had to interact with a number of recent graduates (for the most part in their early-mid 20s, and definitely in Gen-Y demographically) as of late.
One thing I've noticed, in general, is that for the most part, they are MUCH less self-reliant than I remember myself and my cohorts being at their age.
That is, they seem to have no qualms over asking for the answer to something that they should be trying to figure out for themselves.
Some examples:
- Office 2003 won't open Office 2007 files (did you try adding in Microsoft's 2007 compatibility pack like I told you to? No - why don't you try that, and see if it helps.)
- You're having access issues to some of the folders on the Sharepoint site? (did you try contacting the Sharepoint point-of-contact that I gave you - you know, the person you were in touch with to create your Sharepoint account to begin with.)
- You don't know where to find Harry on the phone list? (did you try reading through the list, all one page of it, until you spotted his name?)
I'd say at least half of the Gen-Y crowd seem to be this way. They are otherwise bright (technically), but seem either almost helpless or are extremely lazy when it comes to figuring out things that they know someone else has the answer to.
So - just curious - knowing the demographics of this place (mostly older folks), what has YOUR experience been with Gen-Y folks in the workplace?
