The Next Great Generation - Latest Comments

Re: I got my degree. Now what?

Kaitlin Maud — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:07:32 -0000

Hear, hear!

Re: I got my degree. Now what?

Kaitlin Maud — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:05:09 -0000

Your response is all too familiar, Marissa! While you (and I!) and a few of your friends are fully supporting ourselves financially, haven't you noticed that we are in the minority? I hate to be the one that throws around a cliche but "stereotypes are often stereotypes because there is truth to them." It is frustrating to be put in the spoiled 20-something category if you're not, but I'm starting to realize that spoiled 20-somethings are the norm! I am on an entry level salary, but there is certainly a part of me that is bitter, because why should I have to suffer on the same entry level salary as my co-workers when they don't have the same amount of bills and debt? If their parents are still paying for their rent, shouldn't they get paid less? Gosh, if only the world were "fair!" but... alas... it's not. And while I hate it, I still think the stereotype of spoiled Gen Y'ers is true, but only to the fault of their own parents for enabling it.

Re: I got my degree. Now what?

Christine — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:27:23 -0000

Great post, Kaitlin!

As the Community Manager for this lovely group of young people on TNGG and an employee of Mullen, many recent grads have come to me asking for advice and "a way in" to the advertising world...

Here's the number one mistake made by recent graduates in this field: They expect that because they know the theory and have "an interest in learning," that's enough to get them hired. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but these days that is nowhere near enough. You must have experience and you must seem to be extraordinary.

Think it's a catch 22 to be looking for your first job and they already demand that you have experience? Too bad. Start doing it for free. There are tons of nonprofits and startups who would be glad to be the guinea pig to your first advertising/PR/social media efforts.

Re: I got my degree. Now what?

Marissagreen — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:52:14 -0000

I just graduated Emerson College- and this post hit me hard.

When I graduated I envisioned having a job, having medical benefits a consistent salary. It doesn't work that way. I have been scheduling a ton of informational interviews which keeps me motivated and excited about the marketing field I am looking to dive into. However, it doesn't make up for not having a job. Nonetheless, it's a process and I am growing to understand that. When I do get that very sweet job- it will be worth it. I believe it will be.

I completely agree that we shouldn't be taught there is "one path" at an early age. You don't go to college, get a job, get married etc etc. That's not the way it is, and we need to realize that.

However, I often get frustrated when people generalize Gen-Y as the "takers." All my debt is my debt, my loans are just co-signed by my parents but all those payments are being made by me. I pay for my rent, my bills and as an unemployed individual- that's not too easy. I know many individuals of my generation who are doing the same and that's why the stereotype of a spoiled Gen-Y'er is wrong. It is merely a stereotype.

Nonetheless, we are a generation who is less aware of finances, investing, "real things." Now, that we are growing up in a recession I think those ideas are becoming more and more tangible and realistic to us.

Re: I got my degree. Now what?

Clay Boggess — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:41:13 -0000

Part of the problem here is that we are just going through the motions without being taught to ask 'why?' or 'why not?'. We cannot simply accept things at face value, but rather we must go deeper. We need to stop assuming that things will automatically happen and start asking 'what if?' more often. This must be conditioned into us at an early age and then continue to be nurtured. Don't just settle for the status quo.

Re: Slacking Off? Not if Gen Y Wants to Keep Up with Each Other

Kim Angelovich — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:40:34 -0000

Thanks Kinsley! Good luck with everything and I am sure you will find something along the way.

Re: Slacking Off? Not if Gen Y Wants to Keep Up with Each Other

Kim Angelovich — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:38:50 -0000

Thanks Jessica. Hopefully it will all work out for you.My advice: Make sure that you keep in contact with all the people you meet along the way.

Re: I got my degree. Now what?

Vincent Roman — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:01:19 -0000

Your father is right. Though my father prefers to tell me ... there is a fine line between being self-employed nad unemployed :) The blog post is entitled "Life so far ... and a Degree in Politics" http://www.vincentroman.com/bl... Hope you find it of interest :)

Re: Slacking Off? Not if Gen Y Wants to Keep Up with Each Other

Kinsey — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:59:05 -0000

Kim,
Great points! I think internships are very important and they are often overlooked by Gen-Yers like myself. I think that we all should be looking for internships and learning about the careers that we would eventually like to get in to. Lazy summer days have become something of my past and everyday I wish that I could go outside and hang out but I am working most of the time. You made me realize that it is going to be worth it.

Thanks,
Kinsey Durham
Intern Beyond Credentials
durhamka.beyondcredentials.com

Re: ‘Life During Wartime’ and war in our lifetimes

Erin McHugh — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:58:14 -0000

Thanks, Jessica- I'm glad you liked it.

Yes, Trish's husband was the pedophile in 'Happiness.' Joy's husband doesn't turn out to be one of those, but it becomes apparent that he has other sex-related issues.

Enjoy the movie!

Re: I got my degree. Now what?

Kaitlin Maud — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:26:49 -0000

Thanks for the feedback, Tom! I think that while the "school of hard knocks" isn't necessarily the best method for parenting, I also think that spoiling our kids is equally detrimental. I'd like to see Gen Y parent our children with a healthy balance of both.

Re: ‘Life During Wartime’ and war in our lifetimes

Jessica Weil — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:26:00 -0000

Sounds awesome. I love Tod Solontz and especially enjoyed Happiness. I'm not surprised to see that he succeeded in using new actors to play the same characters after seeing his peculiar casting choices in Palindromes (different actresses playing the same character).

Weird that Joy's husband turned out to be a pedophile, too. Wasn't Trish's husband the pedophile in Happiness?

Can't wait to see this. Thanks for the great review.

Re: I got my degree. Now what?

Kaitlin Maud — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:09:56 -0000

My father always tells me "I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up!" and I think I adopted some of that mentality from him. Would you mind linking me to your blog post about your post-degree experience? I'd love to read some like-minded thinking!

Re: I got my degree. Now what?

Kaitlin Maud — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:06:14 -0000

Thank you for the feedback, Matt! And thanks also for the Tweet. I have considered breaking into the education field to help in the fight for Gen Y success. Do you enjoy being a lecturer?

Re: Slacking Off? Not if Gen Y Wants to Keep Up with Each Other

Jessica Smith — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:49:16 -0000

I completely agree with this article...on the opposite end of things. Having a great internship this summer means that I have to miss out on all the fun things that my friends get to do with having an average, part-time summer job. I keep telling myself that I am getting "ahead of the game" with interning so much and not slacking off. Articles like these make me confident that I am making the right decision! Thanks!

Jess

Twitter:
Jeeka2

Re: I got my degree. Now what?

Tom Miesen — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:35:30 -0000

This is a great post. I do feel like a lot of people our age just go to college because it's what they're "supposed to do," and then realize that it isn't the right place for them. I definitely came out of college (just recently, in May) thinking that my diploma should have a job attached to it, which was horrendously unrealistic thinking. I'm lucky enough to know the type of position I'm looking for, which is nice. I have a lot of friends who have graduated and still don't know what they want to do.

I think our boomer parents grew up in the age of tough love, and thus hate to instill that on their kids. They realize that maybe the "School of Hard Knocks" isn't the best education, and are spoiling us because of it. While I enjoy the stability (financially and emotionally) of being offered a place at their house, I definitely feel like I need to find a life of a my own.

As for finding a job, it's time for us to stop complaining and feeling sorry for ourselves and actually get out there and DO something about it. There are simply too many channels of communication to use to our advantage; moping about being unemployed is just a waste of valuable time. I wrote a post today about how we can use social media to help find a job. It's here, if anyone wants to check it out: http://bit.ly/byN1qq

Great Post!

Tom Miesen
@tmiesen

Re: I got my degree. Now what?

Vincent Roman — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:03:18 -0000

Nice piece. Recognizing that a degree only puts you in the middle of the pack, and that experience and ingenuity counts for a whole lot more, puts you in slightly better stead. I recently wrote a long blog post about my experiences post-degree and I think it pretty much echos the though that you have to make your own luck in the end. Just make sure you don't leave yourself looking like you have no direction, no self-motivation and nothing of use to offer potential employers. And what is a 'dream job' anyhow?

Re: I got my degree. Now what?

Matthew Draycott — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:44:38 -0000

Great Article - as a twenty something (on the late side) and a lecturer I echo your thoughts, student motivation seems to be falling all the time and it's a fight to get some of them thinking like this.

Thanks

Matt

Re: If Google Me is a Facebook killer, sign me up

jessica731 — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:23:01 -0000

Thanks for your comment, Evan.

When I say a philosophy of transparency, I mean that the company should be transparent about its intentions and what its users can expect. Did you have something else in mind?

I have seen Diaspora! I'm definitely excited to see what it has to offer. I'm wondering if Google has an advantage though, in that it's a company that people already know and (in most cases) trust. It would be cool if the independent, underground nature of Diaspora is a big factor in its success though. We'll see!

Re: If Google Me is a Facebook killer, sign me up

Evan Edmond Roberts — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:47:07 -0000

What would it take for me to switch to another social network? A way to export and archive everything I've ever put on Facebook, particularly the pictures. I actually deleted my wall twice back in the old FB days, after copy+pasting everything into two Word documents.

Another thought is, would it be hypocritical to ask Google to commit to a "philosophy of transparency" when the space we want them to build allows us to keep from that exact same philosophy?

Also, if you're looking forward to Google Me, you should check out Diaspora as well. This is probably REALLY going to be the FB killer. http://joindiaspora.com

Re: Libertarianism (isn’t) For Dummies

Evan Edmond Roberts — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:32:19 -0000

Word, that vid is legit. It's great to see success spawning for ideas that make sense. Thanks for sharing!

Re: Hey, Dad, Let’s Rock!

Evan Edmond Roberts — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:18:47 -0000

OMG I'm going to a jazz and rib fest next weekend with my folks! This post is my life. I have so many fond memories of hanging with my pops listening to Chick Corea, or Hootie and the Blowfish or the Rippingtons and just chillin. (p.s. I know these aren't rock groups but the sentiment is the same lol)

We might be the oddest generation, kicking it with our 'rents like this.

Re: 3 Ways to Dress Like a Millennial Man

Evan Edmond Roberts — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:08:49 -0000

Hey! As a former Macy's employee I take offense to that sir! lol Nah but they do seem distracted sometimes, that's why I buy online. People suck.

Re: Hey, Dad, Let’s Rock!

alexpearlman — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 11:08:21 -0000

Same here... I was about 16 when I got into it..

Re: Libertarianism (isn’t) For Dummies

Michael Matalucci — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 06:57:32 -0000

Thank you for posting the Libertarian Party's official platform page. There is also an official Libertarian Party Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/home.p...

The Libertarian Party has been an official political party since 1971.