Our Opinion: To graduates, with love
Times Record News
Saturday, May 19, 2012
This is a love letter to the Class of 2012, those graduating from high
school and college.
And, even if some of this is harsh, remember, it is, in the simplest of
terms, written with love. You embark on a journey that will cross our paths, in
work and play, and we must find a way to love each other.
Or at the very least not hate each other.
Experts, most three times your age, spend a lot of time defining your
generation, labeling you the millennials, or Generation Y, and stereotyping you
as far less superior than themselves.
Grown ups do that sometimes.
You know better, and we need better.
You're not chop liver. Let's face it, your generation, born between 1980 and
2000, includes spectacular accomplishments. Mark Zuckerberg is a millennial.
Don't let your future be defined by our own definition of you.
Of millennials, we're told:
You arrive at a new job thinking you're qualified to be the boss. Gotta love
the confidence.
You've been told all your life you're the best at what you do. Here's a
trophy.
Six in 10 of you have switched careers, not just jobs, at least once. Ouch.
Only one-third of millennials say their current job is their career. Great.
A significant majority, about 60 percent, say it's not likely they'll stay
with their current employer until retirement. Get the goodbye tablecloth ready.
The statistical information was obtained from author Rosetta Thurman's
findings.
There are endearing qualities of millennials, and our future can benefit
from the enthusiasm, the I-can-do-everything, I-deserve-the-trophy attitude.
You arrive on your first day knowing far more than we about today's trendy
gadgets and technology. We have a lot to learn from you.
You can benefit from our we-know-you-don't-know-everything willingness and
patience to help you succeed.
You have a lot to learn from us.
You may not stick around with us for long, but we'll make it worth your
time.© 2012 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online
