The Millennial Generation: The Current Generation in K-12 and the Next Generation in College Enrollment Wyoming Seminary – March 23, 2006 Terri Manning Bobbie Everett Cheryl Roberts A Study Funded by the Workforce Development Board It May Take a Village to Raise a Child, but it Takes a Society to Raise a Generation Economic Conditions Societal Norms Political Events Major Crises Each Generation • Consists of approximately a 20-year span (not all demographers and generation researchers agree on the exact start/stop dates) • Has a unique set of values • Reacts to the generation before them • Looks at their generation as the standard of comparison • Looks at the next generation skeptically “these kids today…” • Those born on the “cusp” may have a blended set of characteristics • They are either idealistic, reactive, civic or adaptive Two Responses to This Research 1. The Millennials are spoiled rotten brats whose parents have given them everything. 2. This generation is extremely talented and will bring technology and teamwork skills to the workforce. The Veterans (also known as the Silent Generation or the Greatest Generation) 1922–1943 (adaptive) Core Values Dedication Hard Work Conformity Law and Order Patience Delayed Reward Duty before Pleasure Adherence to Rules Honor The Veterans • Children of the Great Depression and WWII, this generation decided not to attack the institutions created by the generation before them, but instead, as global thinkers, they chose to focus on improving and refining them so that they could be good for everyone, not just a select few. • The overall goal was not to change the system, but to work within it. • While economically very successful, they were also the inventors of "the midlife crises" probably because they didn't get a chance to enjoy the freedoms of their youth. The Veteran Generation Childhood • Raised by the GI Generation (civic) • Large families (3-5 children) • Strong sense of extended family (same town or home) • Grandparents in the home • Average 10-year-old spent 4-6 hours daily with a significant adult role model • Rural society • Apprenticeship businesses and farming • Perception of the world as “safe” The Baby Boomers 1943–1964 (the largest generation, idealist) Core Values Optimism Team Orientation Personal Gratification Health and Wellness Personal Growth Youth Work Involvement The Baby Boomer Childhood • Divorce reached a low in 1960 of 9% • Families moved due to GI Bill, GI housing and industrialization • First generation to live miles from extended family • Family size smaller (2-3 children) • Few grandparents in the home • Moms stayed home • Dads carpooled • Children spent significant time with adult role models • Perception of the world as “safe” Baby-boomer Results • Very idealistic - banned together and walked through life with their fists held high • Generation gap occurred between them and their parents • Captured phrases like “why be normal” and “question authority” • They weren’t friendly toward authority figures • Did not get along with their parents and swore they would not raise their kids like they were raised • As adults - work an average of 55 hours per week The Gen Xers 1965–1982 A Lost Generation… A Nomadic Generation….. Half the Size of the Baby Boom (reactive) Core Values Dedication Hard Work Conformity Law and Order Patience Delayed reward Duty before pleasure Adherence to rules Honor Generation X • This is the conscientious, extremely pragmatic, self-sufficient generation that has a ruthless focus on the bottom-line. • Born and raised at a time when children were at the bottom of our social priorities, Gen Xers learned that they could only count on one thing themselves. As a result, they are very "me" oriented. • They are not active voters, nor are they deeply involved in politics in general. The Gen X Childhood • • • • • • • • Divorce reached an all-time high Single-parent families became the norm Latch-key kids were a major issue of the time Children not as valued – looked at as a hardship Families spread out (miles apart) Family size = 1.7 children (many only-children) Perception of the world as “unsafe” Average 10 year old spent 14 ½ minutes a day with a significant adult role model • Parents looked around and said – we need to do this better Generation Next (civic) The Echo Boom/Millennials… The Millennials are almost as large as the baby boom-some say larger - depending on how you measure them (approx. 81M). The Millennials are the children born between 1982 and 2002 (peaked in 1990), a cohort called by various names: Echo Boom Generation Y Millennials Net Generation Millennials • This generation is civic-minded, much like the previous GI Generation. • They are collectively optimistic, long-term planners, high achievers with lower rates of violent crime, teen pregnancy, smoking and alcohol use than ever before. • This generation believes that they have the potential to be great and they probably do. We are looking to them to provide us with a new definition of citizenship. The Millennial Childhood • The most monumental financial boom in history. • Steady income growth through the 1990’s. • Still great disparity between races. • Saw their parents lose all their stocks and mutual funds (college funds) during the early 2000’s. Demographic Trends The Baby Boomers chose to become older parents in the 1980s while Gen X moms reverted back to the earlier birth-age norm, which meant that two generations were having babies. In 1989, 29 percent of the 4.4 million live births were to women aged 30 and older. Millennials have older largely Baby Boomer parents: Average age of mothers at birth at an all time high of 27 in 1997. Demographic Trends, cont. Smaller families: Only children will comprise about 10% of the population. More parental education: 1 in 4 has at least one parent with a college degree. Kids born in the late ‘90s are the first in American history whose mothers are better educated than their fathers by a small margin. Demographic Trends – Changing Diversity Increase in Latino immigration Latino women tend to have a higher fertility rates than nonLatino women. Nearly 35% of Millennials are nonwhite or Latino. Twenty percent of this generation has at least one parent who is an immigrant. Millennials have become the most racially and ethnically diverse generation in US History. Safety Issues The Safest Generation • This generation was buckled up in car seats, wore bike helmets, elbow and knee pads when skating, and were the inspiration for “Baby on Board” signs. The Well-Being of U.S. Teens • Mortality Rate for US teens aged 15–19 declined from 1960 to 1997. -Teens are having fewer accidents than Boomers Major Influencing Factors 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Their parents The self-esteem movement The customer service movement Gaming and technology Casual communication Parenting Millennials • This generation is being parented by welleducated, over-involved adults who participate in “deliberate parenting.” They have outcomes in mind. • Boomers were the first generation to be thrown out in to an unsafe world as adolescents. • The 60’s and 70’s were very scary and many of us felt unprepared for it. • We were naïve and didn’t have enough tools in our tool box to deal with it. Baby Boomers as Parents • Boomers rebelled against the parenting practices of their parents. • Strict discipline was the order of the day for boomers. • They made conscious decisions not to say “because I told you so” or “because I’m the parent and you’re the child.” • Boomers became more “friendly” with their children. They wanted to have open lines of communication and a relationship with them. Baby Boomers as Parents • They explained things to their children, (actions, consequences, options, etc.) – they wanted them to learn to make informed decisions. • They allowed their children to have input into family decisions, educational options and discipline issues. • We told them “just because it is on television doesn’t mean it’s true” or “you can’t believe everything you read.” • We wanted them to question authority. The Result • Millennials have become “a master set of negotiators” who are capable of rational thought and decision-making skills at young ages. • They will negotiate with anyone including their parents, teachers and school administrators. • Some call this “arguing.” CPCC Sociology Instructor • “More and more students challenge me and the material. They either see it as opinion, and nothing else, or they see it as … propaganda.” Helicopter Parents • Helicopter Parent (n) A parent who hovers over his or her children. • Or Snowplow parent: Parents who clear the way for their children • ……these (echo) boomers are confident, achievement-oriented and used to hovering "helicopter" parents keeping tabs on their every move. (Anthony DeBarros, "New baby boom swamps colleges," USA Today, January 2, 2003) Helicopter Parent go to College • A new generation of over-involved parents are flooding campus orientations, meddling in registration and interfering with students' dealings with professors, administrators and roommates, school officials say. • Some of these hovering parents, whose numbers have been rising for several years, are unwittingly undermining their children's chances of success, campus administrators say. Now, universities and colleges are moving rapidly to build or expand programs aimed at helping parents strike a better balance. Colleges Ward Off Overinvolved Parents By Sue Shellenbarger From The Wall Street Journal Online Go to College…… • (One mother) acknowledges she is part of the problem. She chose the Texas university her daughter will attend this fall, successfully lobbied administrators for a particular roommate, helped pick her daughter's courses and bought her books. She has also been e-mailing administrators on a range of topics for months. She admits she's "much too involved." But she's too anxious about seeing her daughter leave home to let go. Colleges Ward Off Overinvolved Parents By Sue Shellenbarger From The Wall Street Journal Online Go To College…….. • The University of Vermont employs "parent bouncers," students trained to divert moms and dads who try to attend registration and explain diplomatically that they're not invited. • At the University of Georgia, students who get frustrated or confused during registration have been known to interrupt their advisers to whip out a cell phone, speed-dial their parents and hand the phone to the adviser, saying, "Here, talk to my mom.” “The cell phone has become "the world's longest umbilical cord." Colleges Ward Off Overinvolved Parents By Sue Shellenbarger From The Wall Street Journal Online Baby Boomer Parents have been their Biggest Cheerleaders • Millennials expect and need praise. • Will mistake silence for disapproval. • Millennials expect feedback. Parental Care in the Millennial Era • Today’s typical family is spending more, not less, time with kids. • Smaller families mean more time with each child. • Fathers are spending more time with children. • Less housework is being done. • There is a strong connection between the social lives of parents and kids. • They get along with their parents and share their parents’ values. Focus on Self-esteem • This generation was the center of the “selfesteem” movement. • 9,068 books were written about self-esteem and children during the 80s and 90s (there were 485 in the 70s). • The state of California spent millions studying the construct and published a document entitled “Toward a State of Self-esteem.” • Yet they can’t escape the angst of adolescence – they still feel disconnected, question their existence, purpose and the meaning of life. They want to feel valued and cared about. Focus on Customer Service • Expect access (24/7) • Expect things to work like they are supposed to • If they don’t “that is your problem” • They want what they have paid for • Everything comes with a toll-free number or web address • Want “Gateway Go Back” in classes Add the Impact of Gaming • Gaming has impacted children – The game endings changed based on the decisions children made (Role Playing Games [Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Chronotrigger]) impacting locus of control. – Involves a complex set of decisionmaking skills. – Teaches them to take multiple pieces of data and make decisions quickly. – Learning more closely resembles Nintendo, a trial and error approach to solving problems. We navigated our way through….. They navigated their way through….. Technology • This generation has been plugged in since they were babies. • They grew up with educational software and computer games. • They think technology should be free. • They want and expect services 24/7. • They do not live in an 8–5 world. • They function in an international world. Millennials Want to Learn With technology With each other Online In their time In their place Doing things that matter (most important) Source: Achievement and the 21st Century Learner. Technology In School • Students are increasingly savvy when it comes to technology. • In general, students expect faculty to incorporate technology into their teaching and be proficient at it. • At the very least, communication via e-mail, access to online resources, PowerPoint presentations, Internet activities, discussion boards and electronic classrooms are expected. • Faculty will need to balance the use of technology with their own philosophies of teaching. Technology Use • Children under 6 years – – – – 48% 27% 39% 30% • Teens have used a computer (4-6 year-olds) use a computer daily use a computer several times a week have played computer games – 100% use the internet to seek information – 94% use the internet for school research – 41% use email and IM to contact teachers and schoolmates about school work – 81% email friends and relatives – 70% use IM to keep in touch – 56% prefer the internet to the telephone By age 21….. • It is estimated that the average child will have: – – – – – Spent 10,000 hours playing video games Sent 200,000 emails Spent 20,000 hours watching TV Spent 10,000 hours on their cell phone Spent under 5,000 hours reading • But these are issues of income. Will a child who grows up in a low income household have these same experiences? The “Information Age” Mindset • Students have never known life without the computer. It is an assumed part of life. • The Internet is a source of research, interactivity, and socializing (they prefer it over TV). • Doing is more important than knowing. • There is zero tolerance for delays. • The infrastructure and the lecture tradition of colleges may not meet the expectations of students raised on the Internet and interactive games. Cell Phone Technology • They all have cell phones and expect to be in contact 24/7. • Not a phone – a lifestyle management tool • Staying “connected” is essential. • Communication is a safety issue for parents. • Communication has become casual for students (IM, email and cell phones. What About 1st Generation Students? • Not all students will be proficient; first-generation and students from working class families may have less experience. • Their experience with technology has been in arcades and minimally in school (poorer districts.) • They have not had the exposure to educational uses of technology. • We need another placement test – remedial keyboarding and technology. • Huge digital divide between the “haves” and the “have nots” based on income levels (class). • This group may not do as well in school. In School • They need to understand why they are doing what they are doing – objectives of classroom activities and projects. • They want to have input into their educational processes. • They want to be involved in meaningful activities, not mundane work. • They think it is cool to be smart. • They will respond well to programs like “learning communities and service learning.” Millennials have “High Expectations” • They are likely to appreciate clear expectations, explicit syllabi, and well structured assignments. • They expect detailed instructions and guidelines for completing assignments. • They want to know what will be covered on tests and what exactly must be done to earn an “A”. • Because of their high expectations of themselves, students may become demoralized by earning a B or C in college. Attitudes …….. TV Generation “Boomers” PC Generation “gen X” Net Generation “millennials” Web What is it? Web is a tool Web is oxygen Community Personal Extended Personal Virtual Perspective Local Multi-national Global Career One career Multiple careers Multiple reinventions Loyalty Corporation Self Soul Authority Hierarchy Unimpressed Self as expert Issues for Schools, Colleges and Universities in an Information Age • • • • Plagiarism (consumer/creator blurring) Cheating (must define it) Cell Phone Policies Typing vs. Handwriting From: The Information Age Mindset: Changes in Students and Implications for Higher Education. By Jason L. Frand. Educause. Sep/Oct 2000. How are Millennials doing in school? • Teachers report that students are doing better academically. • The largest gains have been in math and science for ages 9 and 13. • Verbal skills show less clear trends. • Millennials have corrected a late 80s decline in writing proficiency. • Reading scores show modest gains through the 90s. SAT Scores – a Twenty Year Reversal 520 519 Verbal Math 515 510 509 500 497 512 511 509 507 504 505 503 500 514 501 500 516 514 511 508 505 504 502 501 503 504 501 501 500 500 499 500 500 506 507 506 504 505 505 505 505 505 504 499 495 494 490 Millennials Taking SAT 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 98 98 98 98 98 98 98 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 00 00 00 00 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 Highest SAT Scores in 35 Years Verbal - Changes by Race from 1993 to 2003 540 520 500 480 460 440 420 520 497 489 477 460 451 443 429 529 508 501 480 457 456 448 431 Native American Asian/Pac. Islander African American Mexican American Puerto Rican Other Hispanic White Other 400 1993 2003 Math – Changes by Race from 1993 to2003 600 580 560 540 520 500 480 460 440 420 575 553 517 501 476 463 459 440 421 Native American Asian/Pac. Islander 534 African American 513 Mexican American 482 Puerto Rican 464 457 453 426 Other Hispanic White Other 400 1993 2003 College Full-time Enrollments in Millions freshmen girls Sophomore girls junior girls senior girls freshmen boys sophomore boys junior boys senior boys 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 20 00 20 02 20 04 20 06 20 08 20 10 20 12 20 14 20 16 20 18 20 20 First Millennial College Graduates Spring 2004 --- Peak Enrollment 2010. Of the 5.8 million in college in 2010, 56% will be women. Ambitions Most • • • popular college majors: Medicine Education/teaching Business and marketing • • • Engineering Law and politics Computer science Most sought after qualities in careers: • • • Responsibility Independence Creativity Most • • Source: Industry Week, March, 1998. • Idealistic and committed co-workers common job trends : Multi-taskers Change Careers • • Seek security & benefits Stay with company that offers a challenge Difference in Values • They have witnessed their baby boomer parents coming home from stressed jobs, exhausted, falling asleep at the dinner table; and don’t want that for themselves. • They are a generation who is interested in a life with value and meaning – they do not aspire to what the “boomers” aspire to – they want something different. True Multi-taskers • Millennials have lived programmed lives and are already quite capable of learning several jobs simultaneously and performing them admirably. • Millennials will change careers many times. • Retooling and recycling their skills and talents will become common. • To retain them, smart employers will encourage Millennials to try out different careers within the same company. Need for Services • It is estimated that 3 million Millennials have been diagnosed with ADHD and have been medication (80% are boys). • Within student populations, the number with disabilities has jumped from 3% to 9%. – – – – Many have had individual education plans. Many need testing services (quiet, separate). Need to self-advocate to teachers. Major transition from high school to college. 2004 Research Study • Central Piedmont Community College’s Center for Applied Research was contracted to do this study by the Workforce Development Board. – Focus Groups were conducted. – An Online Survey was administered. – Data collected January–March 2004 from the University of NC at Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College and Johnson C. Smith University. Characteristics They Look for in Teachers • At least 50% said: – – – – – – Enthusiastic about the course/teaching Are fun to be around Provide intellectual challenges Have flexible class policies Are sensitive to your needs/feelings Emphasize preparing for future career This Validates the Research • The research says they want: – – – – – – – To be trusted and respected Teachers to act as helpers Opportunities to be responsible Freedom, not license A place where people care Teachers who help them succeed To have choices Working in Teams • How do you feel about working in teams? – I like it – Have no feelings about it – I don’t like it 44.7% 25.9% 29.4% Working in Teams • In the classroom, do you do the following? 1 = never 2 = rarely 3 = sometimes 4 = often Mean (sd) Are given “team grades” on working with others Write papers/do projects with others Study/do research in teams 2.62 (.89) 2.41 (.79) 2.35 (.80) What Will You Do After Graduating? • • • • • Immediately get a job Continue my education Take some time off Marry/start a family Not sure 43% 34% 5% 6% 13% Career Field How likely do you think it is that your first job out of college will be in your career field? – Somewhat Likely – Not Likely/Not Sure – Very Likely 37.4% 20.5% 39.4% Comparing Yourself to People Your Parents Age….. • When your generation is your parents’ age, will you take more, about the same or less interest in: – New Technology – Voting and Government – Reading and the Arts - more interest about the same about the same Careers They Plan to Pursue (most selected of 27 listed) 50 Medicine 52 Engineering Computer/Technology 56 Psychology 57 59 Accounting/Finance 85 Law 127 Teaching 138 Business/Marketing 147 Nursing 0 50 100 150 200 Salary Expectations • Realistically, what do you expect your starting salary will be when you begin working? – – – – – – $15-20K $21-30K $31-40K $41-50K $50K+ Not sure Millennials 7.7% 29.3% 27.0% 15.9% 7.0% 12.5% Approximately 65% felt they would learn $40K or less Importance of Career Components • Elements thought to be very important Respected on the Job Opportunity for Professional Development Ability to Have an Impact on the World Importance of Career Components • Items thought to be somewhat important: Access to Information and Expression of Personal Opinion Having High Job Prestige Working with Inspiring Colleagues Geographic Location of Job Receive Guidance and Direction from Supervisor Importance of Career Components • Items thought to be somewhat important: Participating in Company Decisions Independence/Professional Autonomy Using Creativity on the Job Lots of Responsibility Flexible Work Hours Dress Code Appropriate to Work Environment Importance of Job Benefits • Benefits thought to be very important Health Insurance Salary Growth Plans like 401K Life Insurance Bonuses Employer-paid Retirement • Benefits thought to be unimportant Stock Options Profit Sharing Jobs in Lifetime • How many jobs do you think you will hold in your lifetime? – 1-3 35.7% – 4-6 41.5% – 7-10 16.5% – Over 10 6.2% 64% expect to have 4 or more jobs Worry • Things they worry about frequently: Future Plans • Things they worry about occasionally: Transitioning to Life After College Finding a Job to Fulfill your Goals and Aspirations Money to Travel/for Hobbies Life After College Financial Debt Worry • Things they worry about occasionally: Home Ownership Paying Monthly Bills Finding a Job in Your Field Relationships After College • Things they don’t worry about at all: Being Penalized for No Job Experience Future Odds • The following % felt it was very likely that they would someday: Work for themselves/own business Have lifestyle they grew up with 21% 63% • 79% felt a two income household would be somewhat to very important in reaching their lifestyle goals? Quality of Life? Rank order of items that contribute to a good quality of life (% ranking item in top 3 on a scale of 1-8) – – – – – – – Having a secure future for my family Time to enjoy family/children Having family/children Having a great job Having good friends Having plenty of money Having plenty of free time 71.5% 68.7% 63.2% 60.4% 55.2% 45.5% 40.2% What Kind of Community do You Intend to Live? Predominantly Urban, Mixed Housing Style Suburban Community, Single Family Homes Rural Area with Large Lots/Open Space Other 22.7% 40.1% 30.1% 7.1% Your Generation in the Future • Someday, your generation will be raising kids, running corporations and occupying high political office. When that day comes, which areas of American life will be better, the same or worse than today because of your generation? – 3 = better – 2 = same – 1 = worse Areas they felt they would do better: Technology Race Relations Areas they felt they would do about the same: Economy Schools Arts/Culture Foreign Affairs Areas they felt they couldn’t improve on: Government Family Life Religion Crime/Public Order Some are already in the workforce. What are they saying? • “The technology is too slow.” • “Just because I’m young doesn’t mean I should be given low pay and a poor work schedule.” • “I expect to be treated fairly.” • “We are inheriting a mess in the workforce – who got us there?” • “My dad worked 60 hours a week and then lost his pension – no way I’m doing that.” • “I can get my work done in 40 hours – sorry if you can’t.” Charlotte Observer, Sunday, March 5, 2006. How They Will Push Us… • • • • • More independence in the workforce Consumer-based fairness Better technology Enhanced professional development Get rid of “that’s the way we’ve always done it” • Have more life balance • Re-establish priorities Final Thoughts • • • • Relax – we’ll survive – they’ll survive Life will be better because of them Life may again have balance They are bright, motivated and should be very successful once they figure out how they fit into the big picture • They are nervous and scared – it’s a big world out there For a copy: http://www.cpcc.edu/planning Click on “studies and reports” Title: Wyoming Seminary Presentation Contact us: terri.manning@cpcc.edu