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Re-Generation Partnering with Academic Institutions to Benefit Your Recruitment Efforts and Your Own Career Development

Our Half-Hour Challenge 2 parts 2 parts –Generations in and entering the workforce –Partnering with Academic Institutions Informal conversation and information sharing Informal conversation and information sharing Please do not hesitate to me at if you have questions Please do not hesitate to me at if you have questions

The Generations (approximate periods) Mature/The Silent Generation Mature/The Silent Generation Baby Boomers Baby Boomers Generation X Generation X Generation Y/Millenials Generation Y/Millenials Generation Z/Rx/Homelanders Generation Z/Rx/Homelanders NOTE: US American, middle class perspective. Additionally, there is disagreement as to the uniformity within generations, especially Y. Sweeping statements to be examined critically, which are nonetheless useful.

Traditional/Mature/Silent Generation born pre-1945 They or their parents lived through the depression, New Deal They or their parents lived through the depression, New Deal Lived through WWII Lived through WWII “Traditional” U.S. American work ethic that says work hard, do what you are told and be grateful to have a job. “Traditional” U.S. American work ethic that says work hard, do what you are told and be grateful to have a job. Not the parents of the Baby Boomers Not the parents of the Baby Boomers Many became the “core” of justice movements Many became the “core” of justice movements

Baby Boomers Grew up in a very prosperous post-WWII period Grew up in a very prosperous post-WWII period Their parents (the GI generation) were determined to raise children who would question—not look to a Hitler or Big Brother Their parents (the GI generation) were determined to raise children who would question—not look to a Hitler or Big Brother Sexual Revolution, Consciousness Revolution, Protest of Vietnam Sexual Revolution, Consciousness Revolution, Protest of Vietnam Progressive parenting styles Progressive parenting styles

Generation X MTV Generation, latchkey kids, independent MTV Generation, latchkey kids, independent Saw parents downsized, have been downsized Saw parents downsized, have been downsized Distrust of corporate culture, dislike of politics and bureaucracy Distrust of corporate culture, dislike of politics and bureaucracy Flexibility, work/life balance are paramount. Many would take less money for more flexibility Flexibility, work/life balance are paramount. Many would take less money for more flexibility Xers require learning and professional development opportunities as well as a variety of career options. They know that lifelong learning is the key to lifelong employment. Xers require learning and professional development opportunities as well as a variety of career options. They know that lifelong learning is the key to lifelong employment. Pragmatic, appreciate direct communication Pragmatic, appreciate direct communication

Generation Y/Millenials/Baby Boomlet Seen as entitled, requiring praise and handholding. They have NOT been trained for the work world. Seen as entitled, requiring praise and handholding. They have NOT been trained for the work world. Parents brought them up to have high self-esteem—and they do Parents brought them up to have high self-esteem—and they do Believe they can afford to be picky, no problem job- hopping if not given meaningful work Believe they can afford to be picky, no problem job- hopping if not given meaningful work “Helicopter Parents” hover AND offer fallback position of moving back home “Helicopter Parents” hover AND offer fallback position of moving back home Very confident and want their input to be taken seriously Very confident and want their input to be taken seriously Require subtle communication, sometimes minutely step-by-step instructions and ample feedback/praise Require subtle communication, sometimes minutely step-by-step instructions and ample feedback/praise Explain how “small” tasks contribute to the whole Explain how “small” tasks contribute to the whole

Generation Z/Rx/Homelanders Sometimes called Generation Rx because medication has been pervasive in this generation from a very young age. Sometimes called Generation Rx because medication has been pervasive in this generation from a very young age. Projected that they will be “smothered” by Gen X parents who want to “be there” for them in ways their parents and country were not Projected that they will be “smothered” by Gen X parents who want to “be there” for them in ways their parents and country were not

Considerations Cross-Cultural Communication Cross-Cultural Communication –Familiarize ourselves with the general picture and realize that cultural or, in this case, generational factors may underlie difficulties in communication or expectations Y’s “Entitleds” are reminiscent of X’s “Slackers” Y’s “Entitleds” are reminiscent of X’s “Slackers” –Disagreement about the validity of the assertions being made about Y’s Consider ways to pool strengths rather than setting generations against each other Consider ways to pool strengths rather than setting generations against each other

Why Partner with Institutions? Long-term investment, long-term payoffs Long-term investment, long-term payoffs Recruitment efforts Recruitment efforts –Institutions have their fingers on the pulse of current knowledge in multiple fields AND the character and quality of students/entering workers –Deeper relationships quality vs. quantity –You can influence academic content

Your Own Career Development People are people! There are relationships and win-win deals to be made! People are people! There are relationships and win-win deals to be made! –Advisory Committees –Potential free classes for you or your staff –Very good networking opportunities among students, professors and professionals in various fields

How? Identify programs of special interest to your organization Identify programs of special interest to your organization Make some phone calls Make some phone calls Send information Send information Offer to do an info session or serve as a panelist Offer to do an info session or serve as a panelist Offer to meet with career staff, professors, even admissions staff about what you are looking for Offer to meet with career staff, professors, even admissions staff about what you are looking for See if there are advisory committees in place and, if not, suggest one See if there are advisory committees in place and, if not, suggest one No time? Start small. Go to coffee. Simple conversations one year can yield wonderful results the next No time? Start small. Go to coffee. Simple conversations one year can yield wonderful results the next

Idea Share: What works? What to try?

Thank you!