Thanks to my dad for sending me my latest article I want to talk about regarding Gen Y and the work place. Finally an article that doesn't seem to bash Gen Y but tries to shine light on the reasoning behind the "flightiness" in our resumes.
The article talks about one major reason a Gen Y employee would leave a job is because they're not learning anything. And here the other articles are saying the reason we're upset is because we didn't get promoted for showing up on time for six weeks. (HA! Take THAT other articles!!) While I will admit Gen Y does have a very inflated sense of self, that doesn't mean we need to only see the negative aspects of a high self worth.
I will be the first to admit it that I have ADD and if I don't care about something or feel as though someone doesn't care about me, then see ya! Probably a good riddance anyways. My ADD causes me to work really fast on something and be very productive and then SQUIRREL! and I'm off to something else just like that. I don't think anything or anyone is to blame for Gen Y being like this (yes even technology is in the clear for the most part).
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Burn out and Gen Y women
I was reading an article recently (this one) and it was frankly, really depressing. It talks about how Gen Y women are typically burning out of work by 30 and opting for stay at home mom or jobs well below their potential. Why is that? The article explains that women have been working so hard for so long to be on top and the best (think high school extracurriculars and AP scores for college applications and think college internships and grades for grad school and workforce) that by the time they hit the workforce they're exhausted and they essentially start on the bottom again and have to work their way up. With women's desire to have a family and a career, it all catches up to them and this article is saying that women essentially give up and become dependent on their man or okay with a lesser demanding job knowing society won't think less of them in the end.
Hmmmmm.... being a 25 year old, go-getter Gen Y female, this troubles me. Am I on the path to burn out in five short years? How do I avoid this burn out? Wait, am I identifying with the "symptoms" they're describing? SHOOT!
I shared this article with a really good friend of mine, Erin, who is also a career minded, Gen Y female and she completely agreed with the article. Here was her response, "We are an interesting era... we want it all and all take balance. We want the husband the house the stability the good job the time for friends and fun and so if work isn't killing us, trying to make sure we keep everything else 'in order' will. We want everything, cake and ice cream and no frosting with a spoon and a fork but no knife and maybe a cookie on the side." I think she's exactly right on that. We want it all and we want it all now, but there are these new obstacles in our way. Ones we weren't prepared for in school or any other training of our past.
Hmmmmm.... being a 25 year old, go-getter Gen Y female, this troubles me. Am I on the path to burn out in five short years? How do I avoid this burn out? Wait, am I identifying with the "symptoms" they're describing? SHOOT!
I shared this article with a really good friend of mine, Erin, who is also a career minded, Gen Y female and she completely agreed with the article. Here was her response, "We are an interesting era... we want it all and all take balance. We want the husband the house the stability the good job the time for friends and fun and so if work isn't killing us, trying to make sure we keep everything else 'in order' will. We want everything, cake and ice cream and no frosting with a spoon and a fork but no knife and maybe a cookie on the side." I think she's exactly right on that. We want it all and we want it all now, but there are these new obstacles in our way. Ones we weren't prepared for in school or any other training of our past.Monday, September 17, 2012
How is it a "we"...?
First of all I want to say before I write anything that yes, I do love sports and get pretty into it while watching games and yes, I do follow the NFL. However, no I don't do fantasy (seems like a waste of time and emotions) and no I don't sit around and talk about it like I'm the best color commentator there ever was come Monday morning. With that said, please explain the reasoning behind the use of the word "we" while explaining games.
My office is like most offices (I'm assuming here) which means a good portion of Monday morning is devoted to phrases like "dude did you see that awesome down by <insert name of player here>" and "What an UPSET!" and random musing about the standings of various fantasy teams. Which in football season doesn't bother me at all (basketball season I want to invest in ear plugs). What I don't understand and wonder if/when I ever will is when people say "oh yeah we clobbered them" or "dude we had such a sick win over <inset team name here>". I'm sorry, what? We? As in YOU and the rest of the team? When was the last time you put on gear and was slammed to the ground by a defensive line man?
While I get wanting to have something to identify with and getting into the game and being a part of it, cool fine whatever, but that doesn't mean YOU did anything about that awesome play. And why is it that it is always "them" when they did something bad, but "we" when the team is riding high? Explain that one to me Lucy.
In my opinion the only people who can say "we" when referencing a team are the players themselves and college students.
My office is like most offices (I'm assuming here) which means a good portion of Monday morning is devoted to phrases like "dude did you see that awesome down by <insert name of player here>" and "What an UPSET!" and random musing about the standings of various fantasy teams. Which in football season doesn't bother me at all (basketball season I want to invest in ear plugs). What I don't understand and wonder if/when I ever will is when people say "oh yeah we clobbered them" or "dude we had such a sick win over <inset team name here>". I'm sorry, what? We? As in YOU and the rest of the team? When was the last time you put on gear and was slammed to the ground by a defensive line man?
While I get wanting to have something to identify with and getting into the game and being a part of it, cool fine whatever, but that doesn't mean YOU did anything about that awesome play. And why is it that it is always "them" when they did something bad, but "we" when the team is riding high? Explain that one to me Lucy.In my opinion the only people who can say "we" when referencing a team are the players themselves and college students.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Gen Y: The Teacup Generation
The owner's wife of the company I work for studies trends in the workplace and is brought in by businesses to help them with trend analysis. A big focus of her company is figuring out Gen Y and what that means for companies with this new, innovative and highly independent workforce moving up the ranks. There's a piece coming out soon for Time Magazine that they co-bylined all about it and as I was editing it, it struck me, I don't agree with some of their claims. Now it might be because I am very much a part of Gen Y but really I feel like we're being interpreted incorrectly.
The claim that got me to cringe the most was the idea that Gen Y is the "teacup generation". In a previous blog I talk about this but essentially it is the idea that Gen Y is easily breakable and can shatter in an instant. On first thought "hmm not entirely sure that's true but my friends and I do have a high sense of self and yeah I guess we sometimes crumble when critiqued..." But the more and more I thought about it I think we're being judged by a generation who is so different than us that they just don't get it.
I was listening to a story on NPR the other day about "post 9/11 artists" and how, although they weren't creating art directly related or depicting 9/11 that deep down they have been impacted by the events in 2001 and it came through in their art. This caused some reflection on my life and why I think the "teacup generation" label isn't the correct way to look at Gen Y.
My friends and I have essentially grown up in the post 9/11 world. We learned in a matter of seconds life can end and you need to live life to your fullest. You see students the nation (and the world) over fighting for causes that make them feel good, we believe we can elect presidents and change massive corporations by tweeting and signing a Change.org petition. We are self-reliant and have the attitude of "get shit done" and we do. And yet, we are called the "teacup generation"?
I asked my direct boss about this when I first heard about it and just chuckled with her response. "Well when you guys don't like something you leave or don't do it again. You're easily breakable." Now why is that such a bad thing? It's like the cliche "only touch a hot stove once", right?
The claim that got me to cringe the most was the idea that Gen Y is the "teacup generation". In a previous blog I talk about this but essentially it is the idea that Gen Y is easily breakable and can shatter in an instant. On first thought "hmm not entirely sure that's true but my friends and I do have a high sense of self and yeah I guess we sometimes crumble when critiqued..." But the more and more I thought about it I think we're being judged by a generation who is so different than us that they just don't get it.
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My friends and I have essentially grown up in the post 9/11 world. We learned in a matter of seconds life can end and you need to live life to your fullest. You see students the nation (and the world) over fighting for causes that make them feel good, we believe we can elect presidents and change massive corporations by tweeting and signing a Change.org petition. We are self-reliant and have the attitude of "get shit done" and we do. And yet, we are called the "teacup generation"?
I asked my direct boss about this when I first heard about it and just chuckled with her response. "Well when you guys don't like something you leave or don't do it again. You're easily breakable." Now why is that such a bad thing? It's like the cliche "only touch a hot stove once", right?
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
PROOF Eat24 is the best...
I'll be back soon Eat24
Moving to LA has taught me many things. However, I'd have to say one of my favorite learning experiences was that you can order food to be delivered and you can do it online! Oh and it isn't only pizza! It's EVERYTHING! I was perusing Facebook/Twitter one day and say a post for Eat24 and so I decided to check it out. It was like a whole new world for me. I could not only read reviews from others who ordered from there (think Yelp) but I could actually order the food right there from their site!
Let's keep in mind that I didn't think they had this in San Diego (where I just moved from) and even still I knew all the places I wanted to eat at down there and parking/traffic wasn't a nightmare like it is in LA.
Thus started my new love affair with delivery Thai food at all times of the night and the adorable Chinese food guy who recognizes me at the door (anyone else think of Miranda from SATC?).
However, I am happy to announce that I haven't had delivery since FRIDAY and I made a goal with myself to not order anything until this Friday and I'm going to see how long I can make it. This doesn't mean not ordering dinner, no it means packing a lunch in the morning and bring snacks to work so I don't even order delivery lunch OR go out to eat. Not only is it to see if this way of life (sans delivery/eating out) is cheaper than making food yourself, I'm really trying to test my will power. I truly love this one little Thai food place and they have a yellow curry chicken combo that is less than ten bucks and it's AMAZING! I digress....
You might be thinking, "Noelle, is it really that big of a deal to not eat out or get delivery?" My short answer, "YES!!" It's a HUGE deal!
Why? Imagine with me (I'd say close your eyes but then you couldn't read my blog) so blow the dust off that imagination of yours that you haven't used since the 2nd grade and imagine this with me...
A single girl picks up her life and moves from everything she knows and loves to a city she's sworn she'd never live in within a matter of three weeks. She doesn't know a soul up in her new 'hood and can't parallel park to save her life. She's weirded out about Target being IN a mall and can't imagine what it'd be like to find a new fave Thai food or taco place. She comes home most nights stressed, exhausted, drained and alone and so the last thing she wants to do is cook and then do the dishes. She stumbles upon this new concept of ordering food beyond pizza online and gives it a shot. It's love at first sight and the rest is history.
With me now? Good.
Needless to say I know this won't last forever and don't worry Eat24... I will be back, but for now I am enjoying cooking (and by cooking I mean reheating since when I do cook I make TONS so I have leftovers and just have to push buttons on the microwave to eat each night) and not getting Mint.com alerts that I'm spending "too much" on food each week.
If you haven't tried this awesome site, YOU MUST! They have excellence customer service, great selection of places and did I mention the customer service? Phenomenal! And San Diegians, they have places for you too!! Try it!
Until next time...
Let's keep in mind that I didn't think they had this in San Diego (where I just moved from) and even still I knew all the places I wanted to eat at down there and parking/traffic wasn't a nightmare like it is in LA.
Thus started my new love affair with delivery Thai food at all times of the night and the adorable Chinese food guy who recognizes me at the door (anyone else think of Miranda from SATC?).
However, I am happy to announce that I haven't had delivery since FRIDAY and I made a goal with myself to not order anything until this Friday and I'm going to see how long I can make it. This doesn't mean not ordering dinner, no it means packing a lunch in the morning and bring snacks to work so I don't even order delivery lunch OR go out to eat. Not only is it to see if this way of life (sans delivery/eating out) is cheaper than making food yourself, I'm really trying to test my will power. I truly love this one little Thai food place and they have a yellow curry chicken combo that is less than ten bucks and it's AMAZING! I digress....You might be thinking, "Noelle, is it really that big of a deal to not eat out or get delivery?" My short answer, "YES!!" It's a HUGE deal!
Why? Imagine with me (I'd say close your eyes but then you couldn't read my blog) so blow the dust off that imagination of yours that you haven't used since the 2nd grade and imagine this with me...
A single girl picks up her life and moves from everything she knows and loves to a city she's sworn she'd never live in within a matter of three weeks. She doesn't know a soul up in her new 'hood and can't parallel park to save her life. She's weirded out about Target being IN a mall and can't imagine what it'd be like to find a new fave Thai food or taco place. She comes home most nights stressed, exhausted, drained and alone and so the last thing she wants to do is cook and then do the dishes. She stumbles upon this new concept of ordering food beyond pizza online and gives it a shot. It's love at first sight and the rest is history.
With me now? Good.
Needless to say I know this won't last forever and don't worry Eat24... I will be back, but for now I am enjoying cooking (and by cooking I mean reheating since when I do cook I make TONS so I have leftovers and just have to push buttons on the microwave to eat each night) and not getting Mint.com alerts that I'm spending "too much" on food each week.
If you haven't tried this awesome site, YOU MUST! They have excellence customer service, great selection of places and did I mention the customer service? Phenomenal! And San Diegians, they have places for you too!! Try it!
Until next time...
Winner of the REALLY!?! award today
So it might be because I'm sick or I just don't like stupid questions but this lady's email just cracked me up today.
Until next time...
Hello Noelle,I’m very confused as to what timezone to choose from to ensure I make this on time. I am in Vancouver Canada. Can you help. There is a lot of timezones listed and none of them resemble anything of the Pacific Standard Time (PST) nature??? Thanks.
Hey xxxx – all the time zones are listed so folks know the local time for the webinar. It will be held at 11am PST which is our local time. Let me know if you have any other questions!
I figured…thanks.And yet you still felt the need to email me? smh
Until next time...
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