micromanagement

Generation YIndividualityParticipation

Confident

Convergence

CollaborationOpen

Opportunity

WirelessOnline

Mentoring

Leadership

Social Movements

Blogs

iPodVideo

MobilityRSS Google

Data Driven

ProductiveDiverse

Adaptable

Instantaneous

Facilitation

Mobile

Associative

lifestyle

family

passion

problem solvers

technology

continuous partial attentiondream job

value systems

interactive

interneteasily bored

environment

seeks mentors

be respectful

conform

soccer camp

myspace “just be yourself”job environment

guitar hero

personal planner

uncertainty

expectations

karate

credibility

bureaucracy

safetyequality

determination“stand up for yourself”

impacting

college

feedback

piercings

“respect yourself”

opportunity

cell phonesfeedback

two incomesamerican idol

reality TV

“you can do anything”

global

high school

“express yourself”

americaninternational

internationalfacebook

famous

“pursue happiness”

wikipediamac vs pc

sports iTunesbasketball

adolescencesingle

relationships

dating automation

competition

simplicity

helicopter parents

team orientated

911

onlinegovernment

web 2.0

connected

instant

praised

Characteristics

Direct

democracy

iraq war

terrorism

This presentation has been developed for the benefit of those who desire to better understand common characteristics of Generation Y and who are interested in positively facilitating their transition into an intergenerational workforce. The presentation identifies common characteristics of the generation, as a starting point, in order to understand the motivations of employees and for the benefit of developing strategic and tactical approaches to disconnects between generational values and business needs. The presentation makes use of generalities and may not represent everyone.

We invite anyone with edits, updates or inputs to this presentation to post them as comments at http://www.opennasa.com. The content of this presentation will be continually updated in an attempt to be as inclusive and representative as possible.

There are over 70 million people in the US belonging to Generation Y.

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Birt

hs (

in t

hous

ands

)

Birth Year

Baby Boomers

Gen YGen X

25%Generation Y is currently ~ of the US workforce, and is projected to be ~47% of the US workforce by 2014.

Columbine

The 2000 Election Crisis

9-11

Cable

Reality TV

The Iraq War

Terrorism

InternetColumbia Accident

Technology

Gaming

Starbucks

Gen Y Formative Events

Challenger Accident

MTV

SpaceShipOneGoogle

iTunes

Napster

Franchises

Oprah

Daily Show

Southpark

Simpsons

Celebrity Scandals

Amazon.com

Online Shopping

eBay

mac vs. pc

Global Warming

CD’s

youTube

abu ghraib

Blogging

These and many other formative events shaped their view of the world.

Many describe this generation as:

a generation that is individualisticGeneration Y is more individualistic than earlier generations and seeks autonomy in their opinions and behavior.

a generation that is team-orientedMany in Generation Y enjoy working in groups where they can share their ideas and talents.

a generation that is confidentGeneration Y was raised with advice such as “anything is possible”, to “follow your dreams”, to “be what you want to be”, to “pursue happiness,” and to “just be yourselves.”

a generation that is ambitious… and ambitions grow stronger for those that attend college. Technical excellence is a starting point and is inherently assumed.

a generation that is expectingExpectations arise from absorbing the culture and environment around them. Many have high expectations for salary, job flexibility, lifestyle, technology, and the future.

a generation that is “famous”More opportunities for ordinary people to find and audience on the internet or on reality TV shows. Generation Y tends to be very comfortable with social interactions.

a generation that is openGeneration Y is more willing to share feelings and personal information. Opportunity linked to willingness to share online.

a generation that is directGeneration Y will give and expect honest feedback.

a generation that is empoweredGeneration Y was encouraged to pursue happiness, follow their dreams, and embrace individuality. They have a strong sense of responsibility.

a generation that is wired & wirelessGeneration Y enjoys the convenience of communicating electronically and wirelessly. Yet, many are equally concerned about privacy.

a generation that is globalGeneration Y grew up in and interacts with a world that is connected, accessible, interactive and open.

a generation that is mobileWork at the office, the coffee shop, the hotel lobby, or the airport. Always on the move.

a generation that is independentFor many, childhood filled with instability, unpredictability, and uncertainty. Many do not have an expectation for lifetime employment.

a generation that is information richMany get bored or frustrated if the information flow is poor or too slow. Continuous partial attention and multi-tasking may be a result.

a generation that is associativeMany are attracted to large social movements and are civic or mission minded. Many value associations and relationships in making decisions.

a generation that is instantaneousGeneration Y is used to giving and receiving information immediately. Anything is just a Google search away.

a generation that is always “on”Their networks and conversations don’t “end.” Many are comfortable blurring the lines between work and life.

a generation that is impatient Many raised in an environment and conditioned for “instant gratification.” Sometimes unrealistically so.

a generation that is adaptableGeneration Y is quick to cope with complexity and can adjust accordingly.

a generation that is diverseGeneration Y is a diverse group in many ways including race, religion, and lifestyle.

a generation that is here…and is already having a large impact on the workforce!

This generation has a lot to offer the workforce. It is…

a generation that can absorb discontinuous information and make meaning of it.

leverage their optimism for a better future.

a generation that can

use tools and create technology to change the world in new ways.

a generation that can

cope with extreme complexity.

a generation that can

provide energy and insight into process and system improvements.

a generation that can

be extremely productive and supportive, if engaged.

a generation that can

negotiate diverse or international situations well.

a generation that can

innovate and communicate in new and distinctive ways.

a generation that can

“Failure” for many in Generation Y is:

Not pursuing an opportunity; not trying

Not effectively managing school, work, and life balance

Not being true to oneself; compromising integrity

Not succeeding; not being challenged

Being “normal”

Expectations for the work environment:

Being valued and engagedAppreciate open communication and feedback

Value diversity and globalizationFlexible, informal, decentralized work environments

Like team atmospheresMeasured on results, not time spent on the job

Follow leaders based on credibilityNot necessarily afraid of losing their jobLike to learn by hands-on opportunities

Openly talk about career paths and optionsDesire the workplace to be fun

Thoughts for Generation Y:

Understand and respect other perspectivesSeek out mentors

Use technology to make the job easierSet goals. Take risks.

Ask to be involvedStrive to understand the system

Be willing to compromiseShare your success and enable others

Volunteer, Invest, NetworkSmile

If all else fails, wear a suit

Thoughts for Employers:

Understand and respect other perspectivesOffer to be a mentor

Create custom career pathsRemember how the previous generation misunderstood you

Allow for a collaborative, participatory environmentProvide an opportunity to learn by doing

Develop interactive trainingEncourage skill development

Allow for flexible, personalized work environmentsInvolve others in the “big picture”

General Content: Based on the “Generation Y Perspectives” Presentation, 2007; http://www.opennasa.com/files as well as numerous interviews, books, articles, blogs, and websites. Some content adopted from “Generation Me” by Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D, 2006.

Cover art inspired from: http://kosmar.de/archives/2005/11/11/the-huge-cloud-lens-bubble-map-web20/

Advice: Gathered through various research, discussions, and observations

Additional Reading:

• http://www.mccrindle.com.au/resources.htm

• http://www.gonzaga.edu/Campus-Resources/Offices-and-Services-A-Z/Alumni/GAMP/Managing-Generation-Y.asp

• http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/06/04/balance.burnout/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Original presentation given at the International Space Development Conference, May 29 - June 1 2008.

Last updated: 09 June 2008