Characteristics of the Millennial Generation Currently Invading College Campuses Will They Alter How We Teach? Dave Reed Department of Horticultural Sciences Texas A&M University

Four Chronological Eye-Opening Experiences Epidemic Cheating in HORT 202 Epidemic Cheating in HORT 202 Freshman Convocation Freshman Convocation 60 Minutes Special on Millennials 60 Minutes Special on Millennials Student Leaders of Tomorrow Program Student Leaders of Tomorrow Program Each contributed to my insight into the current generation of young people

Epidemic Cheating in HORT 202 Students turned-in notebooks with duplicate answers. Students turned-in notebooks with duplicate answers. Cases on consecutive semesters Cases on consecutive semesters Nine involved in one semester Nine involved in one semester Almost all said they were aware they could not share answers on their notebooks, but many did not consider what they did as “wrong” or “serious”. Almost all said they were aware they could not share answers on their notebooks, but many did not consider what they did as “wrong” or “serious”. This was beyond my comprehension. This was beyond my comprehension. I seriously contemplated changing how lab is taught! I seriously contemplated changing how lab is taught!

Freshman Convocation 2004 Setting Expectations for Freshman “Become the Best You Can Be”

Expectations Courses and Grades Courses and Grades Experience Experience People Skills and Networking People Skills and Networking Teamsmanship and Leadership Potential Teamsmanship and Leadership Potential In my wisdom, I thought, if you do these things, you will get the most out of college and thus go on to have a successful, rich, rewarding and fruitful career and life! I was so very proud of myself to have the opportunity to share such great wisdom.

60 Minutes Special on the Current Millennial Generation A brief characterization of the Millennial Generation, including how they think, their values, what they consider right and wrong, and what they expect out of life. A light bulb went off in my head “I don’t think like they do!” “By gosh, it’s a generation gap problem!” “Duhhhhhh!”

Student Leaders of Tomorrow Spring 2005 College-bound high school juniors and seniors come to campus and live the life of a college student for a weekend, and attend workshops on valuable skills they can use when they attend college.

Student Leaders of Tomorrow Spring 2005 What are your “Expectations” of “College”? What should “College” give you that will allow you to become the “Best You Can Be”?

Student Leaders of Tomorrow List 4 of your “Expectations” of College To develop your list, think about the following: What do I hope to get out of college? What skill, characteristic or attribute do I need to start a career? What will make me employable? 1) __________________________________________ 2)___________________________________________3)___________________________________________ 4) ___________________________________________

Student Leaders of Tomorrow The “Millennial’s Expectations” of College 17% Get a degree or good education 14% Meet people, make friends or have fun 12% Develop maturity, responsibility or character 10% Gain Knowledge 9% People Skills 8%Experience 8% Develop specialized skill or degree 7%Leadership 6% Become more independent, self-confident or learn self 4% Good grades 4%Networking Surveyed 2005 SLOT Program – 80 College-Bound High School Juniors and Seniors

Student Leaders of Tomorrow The “Millennial’s Expectations” of College 17% Get a degree or good education 14% Meet people, make friends or have fun 12% Develop maturity, responsibility or character 10% Gain Knowledge 9% People Skills* 8%Experience* 8% Develop specialized skill or degree 7%Leadership* 6% Become more independent, self-confident or learn self 4% Good grades* 4%Networking* * Reed’s Freshman Convocation Expectations

Expectations I have come to realize that “My Expectations”, reflect the Expectations of “My Generation” Therefore, I am imposing the Expectations of “My Generation” on that of the current “Millennial Generation” the current “Millennial Generation”

Expectations We must ask the question: What are the Expectations of the “Millennial Generation”? And, where they “clash”: We must resolve the conflict!

Generations What is the “Millennial Generation”? They are the kids of the younger Baby Boomers and older Generation X born since 1980, and who currently are infusing colleges. Also called: “Generation Y” “Echo Boomers” “Generation Dot Com”

Generations Change

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

Millennials Let’s Characterize the “Millennials” primarily from Neil Howe & William Strauss, Millennials Rising – The Next Generation

A Little Bit About the Environment and Times in Which Millennials Grew Up most watched over generation in history most watched over generation in history most protected generation in history (“helicopter parents”) most protected generation in history (“helicopter parents”) 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 an internet and cable TV world of instantaneous communication and with no boundaries of distance have been exposed to an internet and cable TV world of instantaneous communication and with no boundaries of distance Millennials

Millennials Experiences and Characteristics? Let’s outline what they have experienced in life and the characteristics these experiences have generated

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 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)

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.

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 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)

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)

Clash of Expectations Due to different expectations, there is a Clash of Expectations between the “Baby Boomers” & “Generation X” “Baby Boomers” & “Generation X” and the “Millennials”

Clash of Expectations Examples of the “Generation Clash” Millennials Expect: expect a grade based on how hard they worked, hence expect a grade based on how hard they worked, hence expect grade inflation expect “teamwork” & “organized activities”, and do not consider “helping each other” as wrong, hence expect “teamwork” & “organized activities”, and do not consider “helping each other” as wrong, hence do not understand the “My Generation’s” definition of scholastic dishonesty

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

Millennials - Positives Positives about these “Millennials” violent crime is down violent crime is down tobacco and alcohol use are down tobacco and alcohol use are down teen pregnancy is down teen pregnancy is down aptitude test scores are up aptitude test scores are up optimism about the future is up optimism about the future is up trust of mom & dad, authority and government are up trust of mom & dad, authority and government are up they are the best well educated, technologically advanced, and technologically comfortable generation in the history of the universe (as we know it)! they are the best well educated, technologically advanced, and technologically comfortable generation in the history of the universe (as we know it)! Some feel they may become the Next Great Generation

So will “they” change how “I” teach? You bet they will! How can I “teach” if I don’t “reach” them? (“teach reach tweet rule”) How am I going to change? I don’t know, but I’m starting with dialogue. I don’t know, but I’m starting with dialogue. I explain more about how and why I have certain rules and expectations. I explain more about how and why I have certain rules and expectations. I’ve eased up on certain rules. I’ve eased up on certain rules. I let them know which of my “rules cannot be broken”. I let them know which of my “rules cannot be broken”.

My New Expectations It is my job to help them achieve their potential! “I must “learn” how to “teach” them without sacrificing “my academic standards”!

Their “Realistic” Expectations They must realize: ”My Generation” will assign their grades. “My Generation” will hire them. “My Generation” will promote them. They must learn how to live and function in “My Generation’s System” until They Become the “Established Generation” at the helm, and they start setting the “Rules”

Millennials At The Helm It’s not too far down the line! You better get ready, because you maybe working for them someday!