Lindsey

I think the workplace is going through a major generational transition right now that is exacerbated by the troubles in the economy. Unfortunately, people aren’t as willing to mentor and train (or even listen) because they are scared about their jobs and company results.

I’d encourage you to reach out to mentors outside of your company for advice, leadership, coaching, etc. There are many experienced professionals who are eager to connect with young people — it just may take you a while to find them.

Good luck!
Lindsey

Excellent point. That was the first question this article flagged for me as well.

Count me in as another Gen-Y with a top 15 college degree, dean’s list GPA and national academic awards, all produced while working part time during the school year alongside extracurriculars and full time (sometimes two or three jobs) in the summer.

“The actual problem comes when Gen Ys stop asking for feedback from their managers because then they have disengaged and are only going through the motions.”

I’m very careful to conduct myself properly in the workplace and don’t mess around with Facebook, texting or IM at work. The problem I’ve actually had with management runs the other way. When I’ve offered new ideas or asked for suggestions to get off the ground on a project or for feedback on my work I’m more often than not shooed away and given a look saying “Who asked for your opinion?”. I’ve been told to come with a solution first, and then ask the question (which I do), or been greeted with total disinterest, as if to say, I don’t care what you’re doing, just keep yourself busy and surprise me.

I’m ready to learn, but who is willing to teach?

Lindsey

With regards to our loyalty and expectations at work, study after study confirms that young professionals do not have any less loyalty or productivity than their older counterparts:

Article from the Globe:http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080414.wlmillennial14/BNStory/lifeWork/home

Study by Price Waterhouse Coopers:
http://www.management-issues.com/display_page.asp?section=research&id=5342

I completely agree though with the theme of the post that every article seems to say Millennials are ‘trophy kids’ who are spoiled and entitled. There are many problems though with these articles. First, many of these articles only ask ‘experts’ who are 10-20 years older than this generation to analyze us, and second many of the articles never seem to survey or directly ask any Millennials their opinions on what they want at work. It would seem to me that this would be the first stop for a journalist looking to examine Gen Ys. Finally, I would like to point out an odd trend that I noticed regarding stories about Millennials. When you look at articles about Gen Ys aged 12-21 you hear about how amazing they are balancing school with community service, sports, clubs, and other activities, and then all of the sudden when you look at articles about young professionals (aged 21-30 or so) all you hear is how disloyal, disengaged, and lazy the generation is. How do young people who are so intimately involved in their communities suddenly and in just a single year all of the sudden become lazy and disengaged??? The simple answer is they cannot.

I think it is important to note though that Gen Ys must listen and work with their older counterparts. These older workers have an incredible amount of leadership and wisdom to pass to our generation, and we would be foolish to not work with those who are willing to work with us.