The Millennials are Here. Now What? Nicole K. Roberts, PhD Southern Illinois University School of Medicine The Academy for Scholarship in Education
Who’s involved in medical education?
Generations, Defined: Strauss and Howe Cohort generation Born within same general time period, approximately yrs Experience similar society Have similarities in personality (cohort wide, not necessarily down to the individual)
Generations, Defined: Strauss and Howe Based on observations of American culture since 1600s Some evidence of cross-cultural similarities, though somewhat later than in USA Observations were predictive of characteristics of Millennials Decline in youth problems Increase in “positive” behaviors
Generation Types Adaptive/Artistic Idealistic/Prophetic Reactive/Nomad Civic/Hero
Adaptive/Artistic (Silent)
Idealistic/Prophetic (Boomers)
Reactive/Nomadic (X)
Civic/Hero (Millennials)
Characteristics of the Millennials: Special Sheltered Confident Team-Oriented Conventional Pressured Achieving
Special Included Consulted Raised by GenX
Sheltered
Confident Opinions have always counted Obstacles removed Actions rewarded
Team Oriented Work well together Consult with one another
Conventional Consensus sought Return to manners of the past Return to rituals of the past May be cliquish
Pressured School standards College not optional for many Structured time
Achieving Higher grades Higher expectations (?)
What Does this Mean for Us Prematurely Gray Hair
The Clash of the Generations?
What Does this Mean for Us? Our job? Transmit values Their job? Question those values
The Good News Millennials tend to like their parents Milennials tend to respect authority So even as they are questioning, they are rational
What Else Does this Mean for Us? Don’t expect Millennials to behave the same as Gen-X Don’t treat them the same as Gen-X
What Else Does this Mean for Us? Be authoritative Be in charge Be flexible Be friendly Be willing to change—with extensive rational persuasion
Questions?