When Gen Y Just Doesn't Fit In

And then ...

A point I rarely see raised: Generation Y is different, but so is the WORK. To the extent that that is true, it is NOT the job of Gen-Y to, for instance, stop using those darn efficient computers in order to make themselves look as busy as people were before these technologies. It is, in fact, the job of the Boomer managers to realize that workers with better tools are going to work differently - and to use that to the benefit of their organizations rather than squelch it to preserve their egos.

Generation Xer of CA @ May 19, 2009 16:55:58 PM

Encourage and Reeducate

I'm just over a year out of college and currently work as a web developer. My internship experience and my hobbies are "new media" focused, so in sitting in meetings about social networking, I'm often the most informed employee despite being the youngest/least-experienced. Also, I'm often the person in the meeting that knows how to actually implement other people's ideas. I'm well aware of the Gen-Y stereotypes and try to keep that in mind when working with people that have been at my organization longer. To answer Don's question, I would say encourage her to share her ideas and interests with the team or appropriate high-level person in a way that you/her boss can funnel out bad/inappropriate/etc. ideas and then reeducate her on how to act in meetings, when corresponding for projects, etc. so that she is less likely to speak her mind at inappropriate times.

My question is on the opposite side of this scenario - how do I advance my career, get a raise, etc. if I feel that I do work beyond my position/salary without coming across as ungrateful or the typical Gen-Y employee. Is there a "right" way to do it?

Erin of MD @ May 19, 2009 16:31:50 PM