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An understanding of today’s undergraduate college students is vital to the effectiveness of our nation’s colleges and universities and to the quality and skills of our future workforce. A new book based on surveys from 2006-2011 of undergraduates and student affairs officials on 270 U.S. college campuses, “Generation on a Tightrope: A Portrait of Today’s College Student,” fills in some new details and reinforces the presence of attributes we have recognized for a while regarding Gen Y/Millennials. Given the years cited, the data focuses on the younger half of this generation.

The book was written by Arthur Levine, former president of Columbia Teachers’ College and now president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, with Diane R. Deane. Dr. Levine related key findings of the surveys in an interview in the New York Times Book Review (November 4, 2012).

He mentioned the 4 most key events in this cohort’s lives in order of significance, some of which were surprising to him:

1. The advent of digital culture
2. The economy
3. 9/11
4. The election of President Obama

About the pervasive integration of digital culture, one student said, “It is only technology if it happened after you were born.”  But I think it’s important to note that it’s not a matter of tremendous tech savvy. Generation Y has been raised with technology and its members are referred to as “digital natives” or “tech dependant,” which is different from “tech-savvy”.  Gen Y is not necessarily tech-savvy, as they tend to want their technology to be as simple and straightforward as possible. They want to integrate technology into all aspects of their lives, including work.

Here are the Gen Y/Millennial attributes Dr. Levine cites from the surveys.

• Pragmatic – They view the primary purpose of education as “to get a good job and make money” rather than following their passion or Milton Eisenhower’s (former president of Johns Hopkins) advice that an undergraduate major teaches you how to learn, and that’s most important.
• Diversity mindset – They strongly favor diversity.
• Similar “likes” - they tend to favor the same celebrities and public figures as a group.
• Optimistic about themselves, but pessimistic about the future of the U.S. They were always told they were great and expect grade inflation and praise.
• A great fear of failure. They haven’t been taught to expect to fail, and resilience is lacking. They feel the pressure of expectations that they will succeed.
• In constant touch with their parents, and they call on parents to help with any difficulties and questions. Parents are heroes to many of them – and that would seem to put pressure on parents to overdo attention.
• Don’t know how to have intimate relationships or crucial personal conversations. Social life tends to be either in groups or a series of hook-ups.

Dr. Levine gives Gen Yers’ strengths as: digital skills; interest in global issues; and dealing better with diversity than generations before them.

He expected 9/11 to be the #1 key event for Gen Y/Millennials. The ranking found in the surveys indicates this generation has gotten used to living with the possibility of terrorism, and they are focused on their everyday lives and opportunities for their careers and making meaningful change in the world. He was also somewhat surprised at the impact of the 2008 Obama election, which I interpreted as embrace of diversity and younger thinking leadership.

Much of the findings reiterate previous surveys and observations. The pragmatism that the generation has been credited with previously is reinforced in these findings, particularly their attitude toward education. As Generation on a Tightrope clearly reveals, today’s students need a very different education than the undergraduates who came before them.

This raises questions for educators and where to place priorities: on the “vocational” focus: or rather to maintain that learning how to think and learn and seek broader horizons is most important.

Please share your thoughts about this with me and with the Cross-Generational Conversation group on Linkedin. The group is in full swing. Join us!

Phyllis

© Phyllis Weiss Haserot, 2012. All rights reserved.

* The generational chronology for easy reference: Generations are defined by the similar formative influences – social, cultural, political, economic – that existed as the individuals of particular birth cohorts were growing up. Given that premise, the age breakdowns for each of the four generations currently in the workplace are approximately:

Traditionalists:                                 born 1925-1942   

Baby Boomers                                  born 1943-1962

Generation X                                    born 1963-1978

Generation Y/Millennials                  born 1979-1998   

Learn about our *Generational Wisdom for Mentors and Mentees* programs as well as multi-generational team facilitation. Call 212-593-1549 or e-mail pwhaserot@pdcounsel.com.

For coaching, training and special programs on inter-generational relations and maximizing the potential of young professionals, call or email Phyllis for an exploratory talk or complimentary coaching session at 212-593-1549 or pwhaserot@pdcounsel.com.