Comments on: The Change that Generation Y is Actually Creating http://blog.monicaobrien.com/generation-y-creates-change/ Small Biz. Big Buzz. by Monica O'Brien Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:45:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Monica O'Brien http://blog.monicaobrien.com/generation-y-creates-change/comment-page-1/#comment-655 Monica O'Brien Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:46:33 +0000 http://twentyset.com/generation-y-creates-change/#comment-655 Kid M - I haven't had everything handed to me. In fact, my entire undergrad was paid in scholarships. Merit-based ones. My point was there are plenty of kids in our generation who are spoiled - in my experience. And I grew up in southern Illinois, not Los Angeles or NYC, so I don't think my experiences are too far off from what other Gen Yer's across the country might experience. This is not to say there are no Gen Yer's who don't work, or didn't pay their way through college, but this group is probably the minority. Which is shocking, really. I admire that you cannot identify with my post, but I think a lot of people probably can see a bit of themselves in it. For those of us who can, we should be grateful to the generations before us who have given us opportunities and a leg up in the workplace. Kid M – I haven’t had everything handed to me. In fact, my entire undergrad was paid in scholarships. Merit-based ones.

My point was there are plenty of kids in our generation who are spoiled – in my experience. And I grew up in southern Illinois, not Los Angeles or NYC, so I don’t think my experiences are too far off from what other Gen Yer’s across the country might experience. This is not to say there are no Gen Yer’s who don’t work, or didn’t pay their way through college, but this group is probably the minority.

Which is shocking, really.

I admire that you cannot identify with my post, but I think a lot of people probably can see a bit of themselves in it. For those of us who can, we should be grateful to the generations before us who have given us opportunities and a leg up in the workplace.

]]> By: Kid M http://blog.monicaobrien.com/generation-y-creates-change/comment-page-1/#comment-666 Kid M Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:58:53 +0000 http://twentyset.com/generation-y-creates-change/#comment-666 Monica... Maybe YOU had everything handed to you, but I've worked to be where I am, and so have most of the middle and even upper middle class young people I know. Monica…

Maybe YOU had everything handed to you, but I’ve worked to be where I am, and so have most of the middle and even upper middle class young people I know.

]]> By: Round-up of useful confidence-related articles | The Confidence Guy http://blog.monicaobrien.com/generation-y-creates-change/comment-page-1/#comment-665 Round-up of useful confidence-related articles | The Confidence Guy Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:08:51 +0000 http://twentyset.com/generation-y-creates-change/#comment-665 [...] The Change that Generation Y is Actually Creating A really inisghtful post from Monica O’Brien that hits so many nails on the head that she could build a small out-building from this post. [...] [...] The Change that Generation Y is Actually Creating A really inisghtful post from Monica O’Brien that hits so many nails on the head that she could build a small out-building from this post. [...]

]]> By: Erin http://blog.monicaobrien.com/generation-y-creates-change/comment-page-1/#comment-664 Erin Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:00:42 +0000 http://twentyset.com/generation-y-creates-change/#comment-664 I totally agree with what you're saying...although I have worked VERY hard since I was 16 to have the things that I coveted (i.e. my pager, cell phone, car, computer, etc.) The best thing my dad could have ever done for me was to literally cut me off financially at 19 and only pay for my schooling. I was forced to get a job waiting tables during college, and I had to learn how to juggle school and work. It was hard at times, but that caused me to be the hard-working, over-achieving 26-year-old I am now! Thank you, Dad! By the way, I think the label "Generation Y" isn't the best one to give people in our age group. I think the term "Generation NOW" is more appropriate. We have to have everything we want, when we want it, no matter the cost. Yes, I am one of those people. I HAD to have a flat-screen TV for my house even though I had four other TVs to put in every room of the house. I HAD to get a new car even though the one I bought myself after graduating college three years earlier was in perfect working condition. I know that I am going to be in debt for probably the rest of my life, but I like to have nice things (and more shoes than I will ever wear, for that matter!!). But, that's just how the people in my age group are now. We'll get our acts together as we get older, but why not enjoy the nice things in life while you're still young enough to enjoy them? Besides, once you have a baby (which I don't yet), all of your time and money goes toward that baby. So my mentality is, why not spend the money on myself while I still can?! I totally agree with what you’re saying…although I have worked VERY hard since I was 16 to have the things that I coveted (i.e. my pager, cell phone, car, computer, etc.) The best thing my dad could have ever done for me was to literally cut me off financially at 19 and only pay for my schooling. I was forced to get a job waiting tables during college, and I had to learn how to juggle school and work. It was hard at times, but that caused me to be the hard-working, over-achieving 26-year-old I am now! Thank you, Dad!

By the way, I think the label “Generation Y” isn’t the best one to give people in our age group. I think the term “Generation NOW” is more appropriate. We have to have everything we want, when we want it, no matter the cost. Yes, I am one of those people. I HAD to have a flat-screen TV for my house even though I had four other TVs to put in every room of the house. I HAD to get a new car even though the one I bought myself after graduating college three years earlier was in perfect working condition. I know that I am going to be in debt for probably the rest of my life, but I like to have nice things (and more shoes than I will ever wear, for that matter!!).

But, that’s just how the people in my age group are now. We’ll get our acts together as we get older, but why not enjoy the nice things in life while you’re still young enough to enjoy them? Besides, once you have a baby (which I don’t yet), all of your time and money goes toward that baby. So my mentality is, why not spend the money on myself while I still can?!

]]> By: Lance http://blog.monicaobrien.com/generation-y-creates-change/comment-page-1/#comment-663 Lance Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:42:36 +0000 http://twentyset.com/generation-y-creates-change/#comment-663 I feel you on these sentiments, although my experience has been very different. Firstly, I'm on the tail end of Gen Y and I actually grew up without a cell phone and Internet (gasp!). My family is lower middle income and I had to work shitty jobs all through HS, college, and graduate school just to make ends meet. I also have a lot of student debt and a job that on paper should allow me to live comfortably, but it doesn't...because the money doesn't go very far. I'm one of those pro's who lives paycheck to paycheck. My opinion, and this is PURELY my opinion, is that the Gen Y thing is way overblown and is in no way special. We just a product of the Internet Age and we like to blog about it a lot. Sure, we're educated, but that doesn't mean we're smart. We're interested in being entrepreneurs and working the 4-hour work week and traveling to Bali, yet in reality we don't have the people skills, the street smarts, or the savvy to execute this. Sure, some of the Brazen Careerist folks might have their nice little startup, but how many of us are really cut out for the hustle of owning a business OR have the discipline to toil away in a mega-corp until we get VP status? Very few. Probably the same tiny percentage that previous generations had. I feel you on these sentiments, although my experience has been very different. Firstly, I’m on the tail end of Gen Y and I actually grew up without a cell phone and Internet (gasp!). My family is lower middle income and I had to work shitty jobs all through HS, college, and graduate school just to make ends meet. I also have a lot of student debt and a job that on paper should allow me to live comfortably, but it doesn’t…because the money doesn’t go very far. I’m one of those pro’s who lives paycheck to paycheck.

My opinion, and this is PURELY my opinion, is that the Gen Y thing is way overblown and is in no way special. We just a product of the Internet Age and we like to blog about it a lot. Sure, we’re educated, but that doesn’t mean we’re smart. We’re interested in being entrepreneurs and working the 4-hour work week and traveling to Bali, yet in reality we don’t have the people skills, the street smarts, or the savvy to execute this. Sure, some of the Brazen Careerist folks might have their nice little startup, but how many of us are really cut out for the hustle of owning a business OR have the discipline to toil away in a mega-corp until we get VP status? Very few. Probably the same tiny percentage that previous generations had.

]]> By: kristen fischer http://blog.monicaobrien.com/generation-y-creates-change/comment-page-1/#comment-662 kristen fischer Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:18:02 +0000 http://twentyset.com/generation-y-creates-change/#comment-662 Gosh Monica, what an amazing article. You're so right about Gen Y. Every generation paves it good for the next ones, but I don't think many GY's appreciate it enough--myself included. Sadly, some not at all. GREAT FANTASTIC POST! Gosh Monica, what an amazing article. You’re so right about Gen Y. Every generation paves it good for the next ones, but I don’t think many GY’s appreciate it enough–myself included. Sadly, some not at all.

GREAT FANTASTIC POST!

]]> By: Alaia Williams http://blog.monicaobrien.com/generation-y-creates-change/comment-page-1/#comment-654 Alaia Williams Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:37:19 +0000 http://twentyset.com/generation-y-creates-change/#comment-654 Great post, Monica. I definitely agree with your thoughts on Gen Y and the workplace - including how quick we are to take advantage of the things we never really earned. Oh, and the car (or other material thing) flashing that so many people our age do. It especially drives me nuts when I KNOW the person didn't have the money to pay for it. Thanks for the Gattaca reference too (Love that movie!) Great post, Monica. I definitely agree with your thoughts on Gen Y and the workplace – including how quick we are to take advantage of the things we never really earned. Oh, and the car (or other material thing) flashing that so many people our age do. It especially drives me nuts when I KNOW the person didn’t have the money to pay for it.

Thanks for the Gattaca reference too (Love that movie!)

]]> By: Miguel Wickert (Pineiro) http://blog.monicaobrien.com/generation-y-creates-change/comment-page-1/#comment-656 Miguel Wickert (Pineiro) Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:11:30 +0000 http://twentyset.com/generation-y-creates-change/#comment-656 Hey Monica, Congrats on the site launch! Everything seems to be coming along well. Hey Monica, Congrats on the site launch! Everything seems to be coming along well.

]]> By: Keith A, http://blog.monicaobrien.com/generation-y-creates-change/comment-page-1/#comment-658 Keith A, Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:11:24 +0000 http://twentyset.com/generation-y-creates-change/#comment-658 I think you bring up some really great points. However, every generation gets tested. I think Gen Y's test will start when the boomers begin retiring in large numbers. At that point, every Gen Yer in the workforce will have to capitalize on our generation-specific strengths do the job of multiple people. I think you bring up some really great points. However, every generation gets tested. I think Gen Y’s test will start when the boomers begin retiring in large numbers. At that point, every Gen Yer in the workforce will have to capitalize on our generation-specific strengths do the job of multiple people.

]]> By: Mike Michalowicz http://blog.monicaobrien.com/generation-y-creates-change/comment-page-1/#comment-659 Mike Michalowicz Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:59:26 +0000 http://twentyset.com/generation-y-creates-change/#comment-659 Monica, The is the most dead-on comment I have heard in a long time. And not just about Gen Y, but about everybody "As much as we say we are not willing to sell our time, do any of us work less than 45+ hour weeks? No, because we’re so desperate to stay ahead of the other rich, bright, hard-working, degree-holding overachievers in our generation." Thanks for voicing the trend we are all following. - Mike Monica,

The is the most dead-on comment I have heard in a long time. And not just about Gen Y, but about everybody

“As much as we say we are not willing to sell our time, do any of us work less than 45+ hour weeks? No, because we’re so desperate to stay ahead of the other rich, bright, hard-working, degree-holding overachievers in our generation.”

Thanks for voicing the trend we are all following.

- Mike

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