“Follow your bliss,” one young man said, wearing a vibrant blue and black striped tie and Polo shirt combo. The room filled with nods and smiles. Right on. This was another career panel Your Future Is Our Business
The two classes of high school students we spoke to — and this included a panel of me as marketing/tech guy, a midwife (who was actually the backup midwife for our second daughter’s birth), and a physical therapist and athletic trainer — were all very attentive as they asked us serious career development questions. I find it silly that those who long to label are scrambling to figure out just what to call and pointless, although one thing is clear: They’ll be the most tech-savvy generation from birth than any other previous.
And they are. They were amused how my high school had a computer lab of one computer, and how I had learned how to type on an IBM Selectric III typewriter there, and how they now have magic gadgets that even Steve Jobs hadn’t dreamed up yet.
Afterward, the young man who had said, “Follow your bliss,” came up to me and began asking me questions about getting into video game programming and telling me how he is already programming on his own now. I told him to keep learning and doing, because doing is knowing.
“So do,” I said. “And keep rocking those ties, Mister.”
And don’t stop learning either, kids. I told them all, whether it’s a 2-year, 4-year, advanced, and/or technical degree or certification, continue upgrading your skills post high school and throughout your life. According to an unsettling article by Ira S. Wolfe , nearly 123 million workers with only high school diplomas and no secondary education are competing for 50 million lower-skill, lower-pay jobs.
This is why we are all Generation Now — longing to find our bliss and to be committed to the work that moves and schools us and the world. And now couldn’t come at a better time.
Thank you for joining us for #TChat yesterday. We encountered a great deal of your wisdom, and below is a slide show displaying just a small sliver of that.
image credit: Teaching with iPad2 , by Auburn Alumni Association [View the story "#TChat INSIGHTS: The State of the Multigenerational World of Work" ]
#TChat INSIGHTS: The State of the Multigenerational World of
Storified by TalentCulture · Thu, May 31 2012
Thank-you for your valuable INSIGHTS! The #TChat Hashtag is live all week. See you in
Consider this an invitation - to the #TChat Nation!
Q1
A1 I'm a big believer that *passion* sees no boundaries and I see that across all
A1. The only limits are those we place on
A1. The definition of job will change. So you may not need one #TchatDave Ryan,
A1: #tchat'ers don't complain. They solve. #truthRob McGahen
A1 Looking
A1 - the
#TChat - A1 - Make your time online useful,
A1: If retired don't go back to work just because you are bored, volunteer find
Not complaining. It's just hard to find work.@rjgatto:
A1: Create a position for yourself! Look around, see what is lacking and pitch
A1 - Really there are plenty of jobs...over
A1: don't spend
A1:
A1:
A1 - Find a niche you are passionate about...that's the best place to start...then partner
#TChat - A1 - Expand your skills,
A1: Are there truly fewer jobs or just lower proportion
A1 We don't want a "Generation
A1 - No jobs - make a goal to start a biz with all generations represented... #tchatKC
A1: Large corporation are struggling because of high cost of overhead...this is
why small business can thrive! #TChatBarb Buckner
Question for A1: How does the sheer size
A1 - Also need to look at this - "Available Jobs" isn't the same as available
#TChat - A1: Be innovative,
A1: So many reports talk about the jobs actually being there....just
A1:
A1 Invest in yourself ~ & I don't (only) mean $$$$ #tchatCASUDI
A1: The economy is what you make of it. If it is bad, what are you doing to improve instead
A1 Its not that there are fewer jobs, there are fewer
A1: there are new jobs
A1: More "solopreneurs" - taking their
A1. This can't be the first time there
A1. Skill,
A1 There are fewer jobs, period, imo, age should never be a yes or no for a recruiter or org;
#tchat A1: I read an interesting article
A1: Honestly, why elections -- local, state, national in order -- so
A1
A1: More will turn to solopreneurism -- a challenging path, but with its
A1: This is also a great time to set up those
A1. Age shouldn't be a factor if they can get the job done! A team
A1: I
A1 - Wait tables, get a gig in Community Theater,
A1) start your own business and grow it to
A1.
A1 #Tchat There are lots of jobs but the skill set needs are changing.
A1: Great time for entrepenuers and start ups...find a passion
A1: Productivity gains have yielded 'fewer jobs', but
A1 ppl are creating new jobs - entrepreneurs springing up in fields of digital
A1: The economy
A1 - Go to the beach and read a good book - the
A1: Make it easier to for startups to start up -- the
A1
- elect the RIGHT President this time! #TChatBruce Sallan
A1. That's not really a problem;
A1: Hire the best person for the job...hopefully with skills that match job
A1 #Tchat No matter what generation you are,
A1. Being aware that age shouldn't be a determinant when deciding if someone can do a
Q2 How do the generations
@TalentCulture A2READ everything! Blogs articles magazines books #TChatCynthia
A2 We need to be up to date with technology and continue to learn new things
#TChat A2: Be open 2 taking a step back 2 step forward. This GenX'er
A2.
GuyDavis02 A2: Don't be afraid of technology, ask q's
#TChat - A2 - Be willing to learn, education never has to stop, no matter
A2 - you've got to keep an open mind listen, listen,
A2: Don't be afraid of technology, ask questions and learn to use it. Email pdfs don't
A2 Much like learning different
A2: ppl need 2 upgrade work skills regardless of age. That's
A2: great advantage IS having so many
#TChat - A2 - In down economy, people r doing multiple duties, offer 2 take on
A2 Twitter chats
A2: each generation
A2. Leadership must first seek to find common
A2 Understanding that most research shows that the issues each generation is
A2: Although
A2 Any gen
A2: What's truly needed in biz never
#TChat - A2: Stay current on what's happening. I have heard too many times from
A2 Successful
A2: Be a constant brainstorming catalyst. Never criticize and learn from listening to
A2 Walk a mile in every generation shoes and embrace change. If
A2 - Transparency is the new new mantra
to successful business...nothing is sacred - EXECUTE and collaborate... #tchatKC
A2: Stay up to date on as much as you can. You will get left behind if you
A2: Its sad when I see my employers that have been around for
A2: Do whatever it takes to learn the necessary skills to live/work your passion
A2: Adapting will need to happen on both sides of the equation >
A2 Innovate, grow in all
A2: It takes investment of time and
A2: Focus on relationships and
A2: Learn fast, teach well and
A2: To stay ahead...YOU have to want to put yourself out
A2 Learning from each
A2. Does #Tchat = Life long learning?
A2 - Adapt to what you learn from all the other
A2 Learning is a prerequisite
A2 - continuous education! Collaboration with other generations, social media,
A2: Flexibilty and open-mind
A2. Be open to tackling skills
A2:
A2: I don't think it is
A2: an ability to get comfortable with constant change can't
A2: Never stop learning. Embrace the novel and
A2. Pay attention to
A2: Educate
THIS! Yes, what it's all about. Makes
A2 - I
THIS! Huge fan of this! MRT @TerriKlass A2. become involved in reverse
A2: Keep educating
A2: Be referrable, be credible, provide
A2 Look around and adapt to getting the job done ~ no matter what implementation
A2: Research and be in tune with industry trends, this will help you stay
A2 - Align learning plan
A2. Some of the best employees can foresee market changes and evolve
A2: Explore new training, take classes,
A2 Life long learning #TchatDave Ryan, SPHR
A2.
A great way to adapt skill sets is become involved in reverse mentoring. Learn talents of each other's
generation. #tchatTerri Klass
@MRGottschalk A2: They don't adapt - they wait until they are
A2: More educational
@MRGottschalk A2: Get informed, get educated. #tchat is a
A2. Stay up to date on current trends, read,
A2: All generations need to be open to
Q3 Who are you loyal to today? The employer, the brand, the work and/or
A3: But I suppose it depends on what is
"@MRGottschalk: A3 Wonder if team loyalty is replacing company loyalty...
@MRGottschalk A3 in the current economic climate, self loyalty is replacing team
A3: In my experience, loyalty can be down to
A3 Wonder if team loyalty is replacing company loyalty... #tchatMarla Gottschalk
A3. Hmm...Some EEs I want a commitment from and others I want loyalty. #TCHATChris
A3: Whoever pays the soldiers the most. ~ Game of Thrones #GOT #TChatSean
A3 - the culture of an org. creates the loyalty - if you are part of a team and valued
A3: The large firm I used to work for are
A3 I think we're confusing recognition w/loyalty now... #TChatChina Miner
@MRGottschalk A3. My generation is selfish. Loyal to no one but themselves. Too
Definitely! @MRGottschalk: A3 So, I am hearing this is not a
A3. Leaders and
A3 It
Agreed! MRT @MichaelRecruits: #TChat
A3: It's about being loyal to your online personal brand. That breeds authenticity,
@SocialMediaSean
A3. Collaboration leads to success. Be loyal to the shared
A3 So, I am hearing this is not a generation
A3. Without loyalty there is no
#TChat
GREAT ? @ChinaGorman: A3 Are we confusing loyalty with
A3: Loyalty overrated! You provide comp service, they provide compensation...That
A3 - Loyalty is mostly for the Marine in the
A3 who measures
#boomers brought us 8-Track Roatry Dial phones & The bong as communication tools #TchatDave
A4: As a gen y kid ive always used email & social media, but i am no stranger
A4 we r combo boomers, GenX & Y; as new
MRGottschalk A4 It seems that listening is still the big winner - glad to see this. We
A4. I use a lot of
A4: Bottom line: No
A4 It seems that listening is still the big winner - glad to see this. We have a lot to learn
A4: Seeing more and more Lil Boomers
A4:
A4. GenX - #Social #Video #Text #Email #Mobile - all of it. #TChatCrystal
A4) Baby Boomer here. Email, Basecamp, Twitter, SMS, Smoke Signals...whatever it
A4: You can really see the difference in tools with white an blue
A4: I think it also depends on individual, I'm more likely
A4:
A4: On the tech side, a shared chat system
A4 I
A4: Gen X. personally, I try to use any apps I can get my hands out.
ditto only
A4: Tail end baby boomer (61) using text
A4 - According to the new reality - I am from GenY, X and Boomer...not sure about the
A4: I'm #GenX and and wedged
A4: GenX - always on, always plugged in, always connected. Pick a device, I have it
A4: At our small office, we have a variety. Tweeting now,
A4. I'm a GenY who
A4: GenY here. Start with the company environment first - We offer an open
Q5 How do
A5. Generational differences also reflect life style differences. We need to pay attention
A5 Orgs have collective workforce. Strategize on how
A5 #Tchat Need to accept them where
A5: At
some point, #teams *must* rally behind their #leaders. It's an employee's job. ITMT, leaders, inspire!
#TChatBrent Skinner
A5 #Tchat Educate...harness the differences.strategic HR,
A5. Leadership must take the time to validate the differences and then collaborate to
A5 best thing leaders can do is model inclusive,
A5 Best
A5 Going to work should be like a community... #tchatMarla Gottschalk
A5: Keep educating everyone. Use their new skills to everyone's advantage! #tchatRob
A5: Leaders, spend time w/your teams. Get 2 know them. Only then will u lead
THIS! >> @BrightJobs: A5:
A5. The word marshal in this question is ironic. #tchatJustin
I think that's called family! @FreshTransition A5: New term:
A5 It's about matching talent with
A5: Keep everyone educated and
A5: Each generation has something to offer.
A5 Teams are the
A5: Companies need to recognize who they are
A5: Understand what motivates each generation and how best to communicate with
A5. Then brainstorm ways to integrate the different
A5. Instead of
A5 - dig a pit behind the building throw all generations in and toss in some raw
A5: Not just multi-generational but MULTI-
A5 Multi-Gen collaboration = v.
A5:
A5. That's like asking how should we defend Michael Jordan ;)
A5 - Build teams based on Teamability skills and provide a perception
A5: Lead the
A5.
A5 Leaders MUST be aware top of skills required, not
A5: Successful multigenerational team = tap into each of their talents and
A5 -- creating clarity around mission, values and way
A5. Workforce planning goes deeper than headcount/hiring. Look 2 your workforce
A5: By
A5: Play to strengths, let people run free with their talents. It's easier
A5. First step is sharing an awareness of each of the generation's talents and strengths.Understanding is power. #tchatTerri Klass
A5:
A5: I am a boomer but I love tech and we
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