Workers under the age of 29 that have grown up in the Internet Age are skilled at multi-tasking, but may need reminders on when it is appropriate to concentrate on a single activity, particularly if it relates to public safety (medicine, airlines, nuclear, etc.).
These young workers desire to learn and take on a variety of tasks. They are not just linear thinkers, you can give them multiple projects to work on, and they will be enthralled. While this is a great skill, if you are in the cockpit, or the control room of an industrial facility, 100% attention is required, and the disconnection from the Internet can be a problem for this Generation Y (born in the 1980s and 1990s).
Today’s young workers are technologically savvy and eager to embrace the latest gadgets. Again, as we move forward to increase efficiency and communication, this can be a double-edged sword. The reliance on instant messaging versus e-mail can create communication and documentation problems. E-mail is not fast enough for this generation, they seek instant response and feedback. On the flip side, this generation will embrace spreadsheets, databases, and web-based applications.
How do you tap this – allow them to create better tools, automate processes, and request them to mentor their less technological co-workers (this makes mentoring a two way endeavor, knowledge to the younger generation, and technological savvy to the older generation). They need to have opportunities to learn and grow, to move around and learn new things. This is the “why” generation, so make sure that you explain to them how their activities fit into the big picture.
What else is important to this generation? A competitive salary is the ticket to the dance, but once on the dance floor, younger workers expect a balance between their work and personal life. They appreciate flexible work schedules and want to have time to make a contribution to society outside of work (they definitely volunteer more and want to make a contribution to the betterment of the world).
Inspired from August 14, 2008 edition of Nucleonics Week, a McGraw Hill Publication.
Tags: Generation Y, Flexible Time, Volunteer, blogplugs
3 comments:
Interesting perspective. I've read articles about how some workplaces need to adjust their thinking in order to attract these younger workers. The technology is so different that there is a different mindset and different activity level. My field of healthcare could be a real problem in the future, because they'll probably be expected to work some holidays and weekends and overtime. I think it's a challenge that we'll need to address in the very near future, as us Baby Boomers continue to leave the regular workforce.
Beth
I tend to think the younger generation definitely wants things faster...yet the impatience and lack of effort to accomplish things stands out more. Our generation seemed more willing to put in the time and effort to get things accomplished. Sometimes having things easier and faster is not always a perfect symmetry with quality. (Hugs)Indigo
All the things you mentioned about the 'why' generation makes me worry about the future. The impatience of this generation, coupled with the acute concern about shorter working hours and higher wages, makes them somewhat harder to get focused on the actual job they are doing. Technological advances are wonderful. What they need to learn is loyalty to and pride in the job at hand.
Hugs, Joyce
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