Generation Y
How Different Genres Can Represent Generation Y
Tammy Shih
03/16/14
UWP1 – Assignment 4: Research Paper
Word Count: 1549
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Generation Y, the generation born in the 1980s and 1990s, comprising primarily the
children of the baby boomers and typically perceived as increasingly familiar with digital and
electronic technology, has developed a very distinct and undesirable reputation in the recent
years amongst previous generations. Many “Baby Boomers” believe that Generation Y consists
of lazy and spoiled individuals who are unprepared to address developing issues. Although there
are certainly differences in the work ethics of each generation, it does not mean that Generation
Y is any less prepared to take on upcoming challenges. This generation, like all others, attempts
to overcome any problems thrown their way. Some critics of Generation Y conclude that our
generation’s work ethic is faulty due to lack of parental influence. However, our generation feels
that the hardworking nature of our parents’ positivity influences us. Also, numerous issues, such
as the economic recession, have severely changed the work ethics of Generation Y by limiting
entrance into the workforce. Thus, critics from the previous generations have taken a narrowminded stance on the work ethics of Generation Y without righteously acknowledging the whole
situation Generation Y has been placed into. Although these writers make several valid points,
they are too harsh and Generation Y should not be fully responsible for possessing these socalled “faults.” Generation Y, being a well nurtured group, is a high-performance and highmaintenance generation that may seem to lack a strong work ethic, but the full blame for that
should not be put on this emerging group of individuals because of the existing situation they
happen to be in.
According to many onlookers, large chunks of Generation Y possess a very
irresponsible and lazy work ethic. Eric Chester, who was interviewed by Marshall Goldsmith
from Bloomberg Businessweek, argues, "they don't want to pay their dues, play by the rules, or
give their best to any project unless they are sure it will get them a promotion, a raise, or some
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kind of recognition” (Goldsmith, 2008). As an expert studying Generation Y’s behavior, Chester
argues that Generation Y is selfish and has yet to realize the true value of hard work. He also
states that unlike previous generations, the only way to motivate Generation Y is by monetary
raises and promotions. Thus, in absence of these incentives, he argues that Generation Y will
certainly “bolt for the next job!” (Goldsmith, 2008) However, this is not true. Baby Boomers
need to recognize and understand that it is human nature to desire progress and consequently it is
only natural that members of Generation Y strive to improve themselves by finding better paying
jobs. Yet, this does not mean that Generation Y is disloyal and will always “bolt to the next job.”
Instead, Generation Y is aware that they are “the most recently employed generation and has
demands and requirements that are different from previous generations” (Sox, Kline & Crews,
2014) and due to the unstable nature of the economy, jobs are hard to come by. Though they may
be constantly looking for new jobs, they are continually aware that their income hangs on a fine
line, and will often question about how stable the jobs are before taking them. In Cindy
Goodman’s article “Recession Changed Generation Y’s Work Ethic” from LA Times, she quotes
Jaret Davis, a shareholder of a recruiting law firm, that many young recruits often ask, “How is
the firm doing financially? Will it be around? Will my job be around?” (Goodman, 2010)
Because of the current recession, this generation has developed a more cautious approach to
obtaining jobs compared to other generations. They have become more genuinely picky in
choosing, or in other words, investing in a job that will not only allow them to place an impact
on the company, but finance their future. Consequently, this has driven Generation Y to work
harder than ever to make themselves more appealing to potential recruiters. The popular sources
from Boomberg Businessweek and LA Times realistically show how Generation Y is
maneuvering their way through the job force, whereas the scholarly research only show the facts
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of where Generation Y is headed by comparing them to past generations. While scholarly articles
present information from tons of research, popular sources only present information on what they
see on the surface, which can often misinterpret the scholars’ information.
Previous generations have also voiced their concern about how parents have influenced
the development of Generation Y's “faulty” work ethic. According to Chester, Generation Y has
had the misfortune of not being able to sit down and talk to their parents about how to develop a
strong work ethic (Goldsmith, 2008). Chester has identified increasing parental workloads as a
source for Generation Y’s poor work ethic. Chester states, “Because mom and dad are working
more hours than ever before...conversations are rarely [made] about the importance of working
hard, keeping your nose to the grindstone, giving your very best to each and every job”
(Goldsmith, 2008). Here, Chester argues that because parents are too preoccupied with work,
they lack the time to teach their children about the importance of a good work ethic. However,
Chester fails to recognize how increasing parental workloads have positively influenced
Generation Y. Although parents have less time to talk to their children about a strong work ethic,
they still tend to be role models for their children. Parents set a good example for our generation
through their constant dedication to their jobs and at the same time “the older generations will
also benefit as well because they are gaining on Generation Y” (Sox, Kline & Crews, 2014).
Also, the recession has caused working parents to be less picky about their jobs and more
concerned about the stability of these jobs. Members of Generation Y have noticed this change in
their parents’ work mentalities and have thus worked towards finding a steadier job. While it is
typically the younger generation that is consistently learning from the older generation, it
reciprocates and all generations can ultimately learn from each other.
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There are basic skills and knowledge that older generations seem to believe that
Generation Y lacks to succeed in the real world because of how technologically advanced they
have become. As technologically advanced as Generation Y has become, “all generations are
changing based on new and innovative technology, investigating the generation that is most
demanding and known to be most technology savvy, Generation Y offers the most benefit for
meeting planners and industry professionals” (Sox, Kline & Crews, 2014). These students are
new to the idea of “work ethic” that the employers and older employees have been able to
develop over time. Because they were exposed to advanced technology at an early stage, they
know more shortcuts and ways to get things done more quickly and efficiently. According to the
Corporate Board, “incoming high school graduates hired are deficiently prepared for the entrylevel jobs they fill... [they] lack the basic skills in reading comprehension, writing and math...
needed for successful job performance” ("Most young people," 2006). Here, the Corporate Board
asserts that unless students develop these basic and critical skills, they will struggle to survive in
this tough economy. However, the Corporate Board’s study focuses mainly on high school
graduates, students who are still young and unfamiliar with the workforce. Furthermore, since
the Corporate Board focuses only on the work ethic of high school graduates, it ignores the
greater population of Generation Y. This population consists of students who are pursuing
higher education because of the current state of the economy. Knowing that they most likely will
not be able to find a job out of college, these students pursue a higher education to not only look
more appealing to companies, but to buy more time in looking for jobs. This generation has
come to a point where a large portion of college graduates do not even look for jobs related to
their major. They make it their goal to obtain a higher education degree but end up working in a
position that is not associated to what they studied in college. Additionally, they are still able to
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use what they studied in college as a bonus in maneuvering life; this could even be seen as
advantage to recruiters. Because a majority of Generation Y hopes to gain and refine their skills
so they can become more marketable, competition amongst students has intensified. This sort of
competition has been one of the many factors that have pushed students of our generation into
realizing the importance of working hard and possessing a strong work ethic. Given time and
opportunity, members of Generation Y will prove to be better equipped with a strong work ethic
when entering the workforce.
Overall, many people from previous generations believe that Generation Y lacks a strong
work ethic. However, these people have failed to recognize that Generation Y is growing up in a
financially struggling economy. Seeking to overcome these difficulties, members of Generation
Y are working towards developing the necessary skills that will allow them to become more
marketable in the outside “real” world. Thus, inspired by their hard working parents and
equipped with a strong educational background, Generation Y will certainly be great additions to
future employers. Granted the opportunity, Generation Y will prove to be a unique contribution
to the workforce.
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References
Goldsmith, M. (2008, February 28). Getting to know gen why. Retrieved from
http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2008-02-28/getting-to-know-gen-whybusinessweekbusiness-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice
Goodman, C. K. (2010, August 28). Recession changed generation 'ys work ethic. Retrieved
from http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/28/business/la-fi-geny-20100828
Most young people entering the u.s. workforce lack critical skills essential for success. (2006,
October 2). Retrieved from http://www.p21.org/news-events/press-releases/250-most-youngpeople-entering-the-us-workforce-lack-critical-skills-essential-for-success
Sox, C., Kline, S., & Crews, T. (2014). Identifying best practices, opportunities and barriers in
meeting planning for generation y. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 36, 244254. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2013.09.009