Adaptation
Millennials–those kids who were raised thinking everyone’s a winner, that you get a trophy just for showing up, and whose parents and teachers taught them that they can rule the world–are, as a cohort, growing up a little bit more. We Millennials joined the workforce with smiles, confidence and optimism, and we knew that our smarts and savvy would serve us well in our budding careers. Sure, we’re a special breed of junior staff, but I’d like to think (surprise, surprise) that we’re adding something special to the mix.
Last week, SHIFT Communications made the hard decision to conduct layoffs, and those let go were mostly junior staffers. The same goes for lots of other public relations firms across the country. And this is not exclusive to PR. Small tech startups to behemoth management companies are joining the fray as well. Dark days.
So what? This is the first time the all-smiles, reach-for-the-stars generation has experienced life and work in a major downturn. Gen-Xers and Boomers know the drill–they’ve been through this sort of thing before. This recession, these hard times–it’s a first for us, and these days will inarguably force Millennials to change the way we think about the world around us. Gone are the days of expecting gold stars for doing our best. Make no mistake, we get it.
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?
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Buzzing Bees, Storytelling, millennials | Comments (12)12 Responses to “Adaptation”
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Really interesting post Amanda and something for all of us to consider. I haven’t heard anyone else asking this question and it’s an important one.
I strongly believe though that yes, a lot of us have great parents who raised us to believe that we can do anything… but the lucky ones also had parents who reinforced that whatever dream we had would require a great deal of work (our own), determination despite setbacks and that they’d be there to support us but NOT be there to hand us the opportunities themselves.
The Web has given our generation the ability to find (and publish) our own thoughts, ideas and desires. It’s given us the tools but requires that we bring our own ingenuity to the table to take full advantage of that. You’re an example of someone who’s done just that, on your own, and is going to come out of these hard times on top because of it.
Great post Amanda. While I do think the recession and it’s effects on our careers will leave us slightly more jaded than before, I don’t think it’ll make sure completely change our tune. In addition to always being told we could do anything, we were also instilled with the perseverence to “try, try again.” I think we’ll spring back from this just like any other generation will, probably even a little bit better.
Good post, Amanda. — I think the hard lesson we millenials need to learn is we can’t only *feel* good about what differentiates us or makes us special. We need to emphasize it and put it to good use.
These are very tricky times, and we need to act smart.
Thanks for writing this, chica. You know talking about Millennials is definitely something I’m passionate about.
It saddens me that we as a generation are the most diverse, tolerant, well-educated, well-traveled, and most in tune with technology, yet we’re also a generation that is inheriting $1 trillion in debt, supposed to retire later than our parents, AND supposed to die earlier too.
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.
Great post, Amanda, and an interesting perspective. I agree with those who have remarked that (hopefully) Millennials have also grown up understanding that hard work and persistence must accompany self-confidence.
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.
Thanks for the post! It is a necessary discussion that all Gen Y-ers in the midst of their early careers should be a part of. Too often this group is accused of expecting things be handed to them…our stereotype? Entitled. That’s never a good reputation. These tough times, if nothing else, will (and have already begun to) split us into the milk and the cream. Those doing what it takes to rise to the top despite the circumstances will become living/working examples that not all of us fit into that negative definition.
Nicely put, Amanda. When we were chatting about this last night, I told you how I truly feel that there is big divide in our generation. I think that is exactly what Amanda M. was touching on in her comment. Some of us were lucky enough to have parents that foster our development – keyword being “foster” and not just hand it to us. We’re the one’s with the jobs and making a name for ourselves, which is turning out to be the only way to stay afloat in this market.
Great post Amanda. I completely concur with the points that you’ve made. It’s a nice synopsis of what some of us will go through.
[...] at Social Honeycomb, Amanda asks: It will be interesting to see how the hits we take today will affect the Millennial [...]
I’d like to think that the fact you young folks haven’t been through this also gives you fresh perspective. Everything about the world you were born into and grew into is different from my own roots, and maybe – just maybe – a combination of what I’ve learned over all those years, combined with things seen from a fresher viewpoint, can find ways through hard times like this that weren’t available the last couple of times things got hard.
David
@Alexa – one trillion in debt? The real number is closer to 60 trillion.
The uncomfortable reality is that for many in all generations, the world we are leaving to our children is significantly worse than the way we received it. We leave a climate past the tipping point into calamity, an economy in tatters, bloodied by 40 years of fiat currency, more wars and conflicts than ever before…
… and yet optimism and hope still provide some level of promise for tomorrow, if only we can get our act together today.
From the perspective of someone who is about to graduate, I’d say we’re well aware of what a tough market we’re entering. The state of the economy and the tight job market (especially in industries like public relations) is something that’s discussed daily in lectures, by guest speakers, and on the news. I think the best thing for upcoming and recent grads is to find a healthy balance of being aware of the tough market we’re entering while not allowing ourselves to get discouraged.