Empowering our Youth

How to Understand and Deal with Different Generations

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To effectively deal with the four generations of employees and customers, we first need to get to know them.

Matures – born before 1946

These people could be your parents, grandparents or even your great-grandparents. They tend to be task oriented. Matures believe in rules of conduct and respect for authority. When they were young, they did not question; they simply did as they were told. Society was characterized by a militaristic, top-down structure. After all, many matures grew up during World War II or the Korean War. Members of this generation, for the most part, want conformity and rules.

There has always been inter-generational conflict. Members of the next generation (Baby Boomers) probably approached Matures with “You know, maybe there is a better way to do things.” Matures likely responded with, “No! This is the way has always been done. And it always will be done this way!”

Baby Boomers – born between 1946 and 1964

Most members of the next generation of employees desire meaningful work, and to have a bottom-line impact on the success of the organization. But they also want praise, recognition and appreciation for their extra hours and hard work, as well as the resulting financial rewards that accompany them. Boomers live to work.

In general, this generation is probably the most materialistic of the four. The attendees of my workshops theorize as to why the generations act the way that they do. One attendee speculated that Baby Boomers are so materialistic because many of their parents, who were Matures, struggled financially while they were growing up. Therefore, Matures instructed their Baby Boomer sons and daughters, “We don’t want you to deal with the hard times that we had to endure. Go make something of yourselves!” So Boomers did.

Generation Y – born between 1965 and 1980

Many of my attendees who are Gen Y feel like they are the forgotten generation. “Everybody seems to talk about Baby Boomers and Millennials,” they say. “Nobody seems to ever mention us.”

Like the Baby Boomers, most of Generation Y wants meaningful work. But with that desire comes an important caveat: they also desire a healthy work-life balance. They want relaxed dress codes, flexible leave policies and a freedom to do their job. Finally, they want a boss who is sensitive to their need for work flexibility and family values.

Millennials – born between 1981 and 1995

The next group is currently the largest generation in the workforce. Millennials (or Generation Y), for the most part, want to participate on a variety of substantial, important projects, which will allow them to learn and use new skills, especially their technical skills.

Millennials desire work that is personally rewarding. Because, unlike Baby Boomers who live to work, Millennials only work to live. They believe in Y.O.L.O. – you only live once – so you need to experience all that life has to offer, especially outside the job.

This generation likely wants a boss who is more like a coach or mentor; they dislike bosses who are formal or hierarchical.

Some interesting facts about Millennials …

What percent of today’s adults are currently married with children compared to Baby Boomers of the same age?

  • Baby Boomers – 50%
  • Millennials – 12%

What percent of Millennials expect to stay on the job for less than three years?

  • 91% – which will translate into 15 to 20 jobs over their working lives

Where do Millennials want to live?

  • 41% say in or near the cities

The key to success in dealing with each of these four different generations is the platinum rule – do onto others the way that they would like to be done unto.

 

Marion Student Leaves Center, Makes Impact

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(Above) Sabrina Mazyck, right, gathers field data with fellow student intern with National Park Service.

Outstanding students at Ohio State Marion have unique stories. Sabrina Mazyck, born and raised in Ohio, already had a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science when she came to Ohio State Marion Campus. Now, she is pursuing a degree in Environmental Engineering and has completed as much of her coursework at the Marion campus before she transitions to the Columbus campus this summer.  We were fortunate to benefit from her skills as a dedicated student employee in the Alber Enterprise Center this past year, and pleased that Sabrina will remain a Buckeye.

“I was fortunate to be able to take courses at Ohio State Marion since the tuition is so affordable. Financial aid is not available to students working on a second bachelor’s degree – only student loans,” Sabrina said. Cost of higher education has been a challenge, but Sabrina is hard-working, creative and persistent.

This student is a real go-getter, with past experience working as an Intern for Senator Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, on issues related to environmental policy.  She wrote about environmental impacts, attended briefings and visited government agencies, and became enamored with everything related to studying and improving the environment. “I feel that I had a tiny hand in the decision-making process around environmental policies (with the Senator’s office),” she said, adding, “But environmental engineers are involved in both policy work and the science behind it all, which means I could make a bigger impact.”

Another interesting internship Sabrina completed was with the National Park Service, where she worked on the Cuyahoga River as a Bioscience Tech Intern. “The Cuyahoga River has caught fire a total of 13 times, dating back to the 1800’s,” she said. Sabrina was part of team who waded in the water looking for zebra mussels and other invasive species, along with conducting organism surveys and recording the data. The group removed invasive species and propagated native plants near the river. “I carried a 50-pound backpack of herbicide and sprayed certain kinds of plants (identified as invasive), adding: “People in environmental work are some of the most kind-hearted I’ve ever met.”

After graduation from Ohio State, Sabrina is considering a Master’s in Ecology or Environmental Engineering. While her diverse experiences and initiative could take her anywhere, she would like to return to Hawaii after graduation from Ohio State in May, 2019.  With a cousin there, Sabrina was able to visit each of the Hawaiian Islands while interning for the senator. She said that the natives’ love of the land (meaning of Hawaii) is real…they are very environmentally-conscious. “The sea turtles are sacred – it is illegal to touch them. The people are so welcoming…I just loved it there!” said Sabrina.

Suffice it to say, Sabrina Mazyck is one student whom we would love to follow along to see where life takes her next. The sky really is the limit.

Ridgemont students awarded scholarships to prepare for workforce

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Photo Credit: Kenton Times

Photo Credit: Kenton Times

Fifty Ridgemont High School students are on their way to becoming empowered leaders.  Each were awarded the “Rising Stars Initiative” scholarship.

Ridgemont High became the first school in the nation to receive this initiative.  The school district partnered with The Ohio State University’s  Alber Enterprise Center, Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance and Performance Support Systems (PSS), as a collaborative effort to introduce the Future Farmers of America (FFA) students to this program.  The program will aid students to learn people skills and their personal strengths in high school and beyond graduation.

FFA students will partake in a year-long, online personal development program, called “Strong For Life.”  “Strong for Life” for ProStar Coach is a virtual program that can be accessed 24/7 at the student’s disposal to ingrain pertinent leadership qualities for the workforce.

Various classes such as Listening, Giving Constructive Feedback, Engaging in Dialogue, Resolving Conflict, Composure, Cooperation, Self-confidence, Responsibility, and many more are accessible for students to take.

According to a 2006 joint study, “Are They Really Ready to Work,” employers complained that young adults were “woefully-ill prepared” for the demands of the workplace, had poor communication and critical thinking skills.  PSS launched this initiative to address this “growing awareness” on young adults not being adequately prepared for any challenges they may face in the workforce.

Stephanie Jolliff, Ridgemont FFA  Advisor stated “It gives our kids the opportunity to connect with the real world.”

On January 5, 2015, Ridgemont received this non-monetary scholarship.  Normally, a one year individual subscription is $325 but with PSS working with participating schools and youth programs, it’s now free and accessible for teens.

By obtaining these qualifications earlier on and before embarking on their career paths, students will be better equipped with the necessary tools to succeed in the workforce and in life.  Frank Gibson, Program Manager of Alber Enterprise Center said “This is a rare and unique opportunity for students to develop their leadership skills [through coaching focused] on you, your career, your growth, and your future.  We challenge each student to not only receive coaching but to learn how they can use coaching skills to assist others.”

Each student will have assigned “Accountability Coaches” and “Support Coaches” that will guide them throughout the coaching process.

Bailey Drumm, Ridgemont High senior, expressed “This will better prepare us for jobs in the community.  I am confident in my leadership abilities, but I am also excited to see where this leads me.  I am hoping it makes me even better.”

“This can be a life-learning program.  The effect it has on students could affect other people in their lives,” claimed John Hohn, Director of Economic Development at Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance.  “The long-term impact could be amazing.”

For more information about Strong For Life, visit:  strongforlifeteens.com or contact Frank Gibson at 740-725-6348.

(Special Note:  Article information and quotes pulled from the Kenton Times article, “Program goal to better prepare R’mont students for work force” by Dan Robinson, Staff Writer and Performance Support Systems’ Press Release)