I Wanna Talk About Me You by by Davey Davey Reed Reed

Baby Boomers (40s-50s) Generation X (60-70s) MillennialsMillennialsMillennials Millennials (80s+) Generations Change

A Little Bit About the Environment and Times in which “Millennials” Grew Up Most watched-over and protected generation in history Millennials Hovered over by “Helicopter Parents” “Helicopter Parents”

A Little Bit About the Environment and Times In which “Millennials” Grew Up came along at a time when adults started re-valuing kids came along at a time when adults started re-valuing kids came along at a time when parents made time to spend with their kids came along at a time when parents made time to spend with their kids have been exposed to advanced technology in every aspect of their life have been exposed to advanced technology in every aspect of their life have been exposed to a world of instantaneous communication and with no boundaries of distance or time, i.e. cable TV, internet, cell phones, text messaging, etc. have been exposed to a world of instantaneous communication and with no boundaries of distance or time, i.e. cable TV, internet, cell phones, text messaging, etc. Millennials

Millennials Millennials have been much studied and written about (For example: Neil Howe & William Strauss, Millennials Rising – The Next Generation) Let’s see if you are a classical Millennial, and if so, Is what the “experts” write about you true

Millennials Experiences and Characteristics? Let’s outline what they have experienced in life and the characteristics these experiences have generated As we go through the list, fill-out the following poll.

Experiences and Characteristics YesSomewhatNo Experience or Characteristic Heavily programmed activities by parents, guardians, teachers, coaches, organizations, etc. Like working on projects and activities in teams. Like team based rewards/grades/recognition. Don’t like to keep score (no “winners”, “MVP”; reward “participation” & “experience”) Like immediate recognition (star on helmet, at-a-boy for good play versus end of season) Consider your parent or guardian your “friend”. Believe your parent or guardian “values” you and enjoys spending time with you. Like to please your parent, guardian, coach, teacher, etc. Your parents like to “play” with you. Easily bored if “nothing to do” Not worried about what your life will be like 20 years from now. Respectful of authority figures (parents, guardians, teachers, policemen, fire fighters, the President, etc.) % Response Score (Sum 1 point for each check in column)

Millennials Experiences and Characteristics? Heavily programmed activities by parents, guardians, teachers, coaches, organizations, etc. (soccer Monday, church Wednesday, dance Friday, etc.) Heavily programmed activities by parents, guardians, teachers, coaches, organizations, etc. (soccer Monday, church Wednesday, dance Friday, etc.) Like working on projects and activities in teams. Like working on projects and activities in teams. Like team based rewards/grades/recognition. Like team based rewards/grades/recognition. Don’t like to keep score. (no “winners” or “MVP”, rather the reward is in the “participation” and “experience” gained) Don’t like to keep score. (no “winners” or “MVP”, rather the reward is in the “participation” and “experience” gained)

Millennials Experiences and Characteristics? Like immediate recognition (star on helmet or at-a-boy for good play versus end of season reward) Like immediate recognition (star on helmet or at-a-boy for good play versus end of season reward) Consider their parent or guardian their “friend”. (“get ur done” together!) Consider their parent or guardian their “friend”. (“get ur done” together!) Believe their parent or guardian “values” them and enjoys spending time with them. Believe their parent or guardian “values” them and enjoys spending time with them. Like to please authority figures (parent, guardian, coach, teacher, etc.) Like to please authority figures (parent, guardian, coach, teacher, etc.)

Millennials Experiences and Characteristics? Their parents like to “play” with them, and they like to “play” with their parents. Their parents like to “play” with them, and they like to “play” with their parents. Easily bored if “nothing to do” Easily bored if “nothing to do” Not worried about what their life will be like 20 years from now. Not worried about what their life will be like 20 years from now. Respectful of authority figures (parents, guardians, teachers, policemen, etc.) Respectful of authority figures (parents, guardians, teachers, policemen, etc.)

Millennial’s Experiences and Characteristics Surveyed responses from 2005 SLOT Program – 80 College-Bound High School Juniors and Seniors YesSomewhatNo Experience or Characteristic 71%24%5% Heavily programmed activities by parents, guardians, teachers, coaches, organizations, etc. 44%49%6% Like working on projects and activities in teams. 35%49%16% Like team based rewards/grades/recognition. 12%42%46% Don’t like to keep score (no “winners”, “MVP”; reward “participation” & “experience”) 37%47%16% Like immediate recognition (star on helmet, at-a-boy for good play versus end of season) 55%36%9% Consider your parent or guardian your “friend”. 90%9%1% Believe your parent or guardian “values” you and enjoys spending time with you. 88%12%0% Like to please your parent, guardian, coach, teacher, etc. 51%41%9% Your parents like to “play” with you. 43%31%26% Easily bored if “nothing to do” 19%27%54% Not worried about what your life will be like 20 years from now. 86%14%0% Respectful of authority figures (parents, guardians, teachers, policemen, fire fighters, the President, etc.) 52%32%16% % Response Score (Sum 1 point for each check in column)

Millennials Expectations Let’s determine how these experiences have molded their expectations. As we go through the list, fill-out the following poll.

Expectations YesSomewhatNoExpectation I expect instant gratification and satisfaction. (When I do something, I and want to feel good about it right now) I expect immediate feedback. (I want to know my score, grade, reward, right now.) I expect rewards for participation, not individual accomplishment. (I want rewards based on the team’s accomplishment) I expect a reward for everything I do. (I expect a star or trophy for my contributions) I expect to rise to the top quickly. (I expect to make a good salary and be the “boss” while young) I expect to work with teams, friends, positive people, and have fun. (I want to like and be liked by my co-workers.) I expect to be respected by my teachers, boss and peers. I do not expect my “job” to control my life and other activities. I expect to be challenged and learn new skills. I expect technology to increase, and I feel comfortable with it. I have optimistic expectations about the future. I expect to volunteer and be civic minded. % Response Score (Sum 1 point for each check in column)

Millennials Millennial’s Expectations? Expect instant gratification and satisfaction. (When I do it I want to feel good about it right now.) Expect instant gratification and satisfaction. (When I do it I want to feel good about it right now.) Expect immediate feedback. (I want to know my score, grade, reward, right now.) Expect immediate feedback. (I want to know my score, grade, reward, right now.) Expect to be rewarded for participation, not individual accomplishment. (I want rewards based on the team’s accomplishment.) Expect to be rewarded for participation, not individual accomplishment. (I want rewards based on the team’s accomplishment.) Expect a reward for everything they do. (I expect a star or trophy for my contributions.) Expect a reward for everything they do. (I expect a star or trophy for my contributions.)

Millennials

Millennials Millennial’s Expectations? Expect to rise to the top quickly. (I expect to make a good salary and be the “boss” while I am still young and can enjoy it.) Expect to rise to the top quickly. (I expect to make a good salary and be the “boss” while I am still young and can enjoy it.) Expect to work with teams, friends and positive people, and have fun. (I want to like and be liked by my co-workers.) Expect to work with teams, friends and positive people, and have fun. (I want to like and be liked by my co-workers.) Expect to be respected by teachers, boss and peers. Expect to be respected by teachers, boss and peers. Do not expect job to control their life and other activities. Do not expect job to control their life and other activities.

Millennials Millennial’s Expectations? Expect to be challenged and learn new skills. Expect to be challenged and learn new skills. Expect technology to increase and are very comfortable with it. Expect technology to increase and are very comfortable with it. Optimistic expectations about the future. Optimistic expectations about the future. Expect to volunteer and be civic minded. Expect to volunteer and be civic minded.

Millennial’s Expectations Surveyed responses from 2005 SLOT Program – 80 High School Students YesSomewhatNoExpectation 30%48%22% I expect instant gratification and satisfaction. (When I do something, I and want to feel good about it right now) 61%26%13% I expect immediate feedback. (I want to know my score, grade, reward, right now.) 16%56%28% I expect rewards for participation, not individual accomplishment. (I want rewards based on the team’s accomplishment) 4%19%77% I expect a reward for everything I do. (I expect a star or trophy for my contributions) 34%34%32% I expect to rise to the top quickly. (I expect to make a good salary and be the “boss” while young) 87%12%1% I expect to work with teams, friends, positive people, and have fun. (I want to like and be liked by my co-workers.) 90%9%1% I expect to be respected by my teachers, boss and peers. 67%27%6% I do not expect my “job” to control my life and other activities. 95%5%9% I expect to be challenged and learn new skills. 78%16%6% I expect technology to increase, and I feel comfortable with it. 65%33%2% I have optimistic expectations about the future. 70%27%2% I expect to volunteer and be civic minded. 58%26%16% % Response Score (Sum 1 point for each check in column)

Generation Gap Baby Boomers and Generation Xers may have Baby Boomers and Generation Xers may have different Expectations than Millennials This is how “Generation Gaps” Arise

Generation Gap Let’s explore a couple of Let’s explore a couple of examples of how this “Generation Gap” due to “Different Expectations” may cause “Generations to Clash”

Clash of Generations Millennials: Expect a reward based on how hard they worked, and not necessarily on what they have accomplished, hence Millennials may expect grade inflation Millennials may expect grade inflation

Clash of Generations Millennials: Like working on projects and activities in teams, and Like team based rewards/grades/recognition, hence Millennials may expect to be rewarded for the team’s accomplishments, even if your work on the team is sub-par Millennials may expect to be rewarded for the team’s accomplishments, even if your work on the team is sub-par

Clash of Generations Millennials : Expect “teamwork” & “organized activities”, and do not consider “helping each other” as wrong, hence Millennials may not understand “My Generation’s” definition of scholastic dishonesty (cheating!) Millennials may not understand “My Generation’s” definition of scholastic dishonesty (cheating!) Millennials may Google and cut-and-paste and plagiarize, without proper citation. Millennials may Google and cut-and-paste and plagiarize, without proper citation. Millennials may help each other on take home exams, lab reports, etc. that are supposed to be completed alone. Millennials may help each other on take home exams, lab reports, etc. that are supposed to be completed alone.

Clash of Generations Millennials: Expect to rise to the top quickly, hence Millennials may expect a high beginning salary. Millennials may expect a high beginning salary. Millennials may expect to move up the ladder quickly, maybe without paying your dues. Millennials may expect to move up the ladder quickly, maybe without paying your dues.

Clash of Generations Millennials: Do not expect job to control their life and other activities, hence Millennials may not be willing to put in the time some jobs require, i.e. “pay your dues”. Millennials may not be willing to put in the time some jobs require, i.e. “pay your dues”.

Millennials Let’s not end on negatives about the “Millennials”

Millennials - Positives Positives about these “Millennials” violent crime, tobacco and alcohol use, and teen pregnancy are down violent crime, tobacco and alcohol use, and teen pregnancy are down aptitude test scores, optimism about the future, and trust of mom & dad, authority and government are up aptitude test scores, optimism about the future, and trust of mom & dad, authority and government are up you are the most respectful students I have ever taught you are the most respectful students I have ever taught your teamwork skills may be synergistic and allow you to accomplish more your teamwork skills may be synergistic and allow you to accomplish more you are the best well educated, technologically advanced, and technologically comfortable generation in the history of the universe (as we know it)! you are the best well educated, technologically advanced, and technologically comfortable generation in the history of the universe (as we know it)! Some feel you Millennials become the Next Great Generation

What Should Be Your “Realistic” Expectations Millennials must realize: ”My Generation” will assign their grades, hire them, promote them, and fire them. They must learn how to live and function in “My Generation’s System” Until of course Millennials Become the “Established Generation” and then they start setting the “Rules”

Millennials Rising It’s not too far down the line! The Millennial’s day is coming!