Gen Why?

I have often wondered whether I truly belong to Generation Y. Not so much because I feel more like a Gen X, but because in all honesty I think, how could I possibly be one of them?


The iPhone toting, fluro t-shirt wearing screenagers. The ones who have absorbed more information from media and digital technologies by age 8 than their grandparents did in their entire lives.

Because I often look at these guys with as much bewilderment as Gen X and the Baby Boomers do, tsk tsking to myself and wondering ‘what will they think of next?’

But as I sat down to write yet another resignation letter this week, it dawned on me. Not only am I one of them, but upon reflection, it seems I am something of a pioneer.

Here is why…


Now, I was surprised that the internet couldn’t produce a comprehensive or endorsed list of Gen Y traits, but after consulting many credible sources (uni studies, independent research, opinion pieces, perezhilton.com – ha ha kidding) the following appear to be the prevailing qualities which identify us new millenials.


1. Technology savvy
I don’t claim to write java scripts, nor can I re-wire a mother board. But I know how many gigs of RAM to ask for, the implications of my ISDN not talking to my WAN and can work as effectively from a park bench as I can my desk.
I shop, pay bills, study, book holidays, bank and self-diagnose online and can text, email and check FB on my mobile, whilst performing almost any other task.

2. Tendency to travel and will move for work

I filled my first passport at 26 and have visited every continent except Antarctica. I’ve trekked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, done a sunset game drive in the Serengeti, visited Christ the Redeemer, ridden a camel around the Pyramids, rode a Gondola in Venice, visited the temples of Angkor Wat, run with the bulls, drunk cocktails in the Big Apple and climbed the Eiffel Tower – twice. And those are just the highlights.

70% of Y Gen Australian’s have already spent considerable time overseas and 65% intend to spend time overseas in the future according to a survey conducted by STA Travel (as read on statravel.com.au)
(BTW, you can read more about my last adventure at http://www.lasmuchachas-sa.blogspot.com/).

3. Seek job fulfilment and change jobs frequently

I’ve worked in Melbourne, England, Ireland, Qatar, the West Indies and soon, Canada. I have had 23 jobs from babysitter, paper girl, music store attendant, usher and bartender, to event manager, marketing and communications officer, media and PR person and hopefully one day, writer, author and if there's time, bikram yoga teacher.

A survey commissioned by International Customer Service Professionals revealed that 67 per cent of Generation Y’s plan to change jobs within the next 12 months and 91 per cent within the next 1-2 years (as read on careerone.com.au)

4. Goal oriented / ambitious

My career is in major events, mostly contracts, working to a deadline, finishing at a finite point in time. So far I have lasted only six months in a regular job, before the predictability of my days drove me up the wall.


5. Stay at home longer
I may have left the nest at 17 for uni, but in the past five years alone I’ve moved back in on six occasions.

6. Free speaking

I assume, if you’ve read up to here, that you have worked this out already. But suffice to say, don’t discuss something in front of me if you don’t want my opinion.

Social researcher and leadership expert Avril Henry said this week that Gen Y would rather quit a job than work for an employer who didn’t value their opinion, saying “Gen Y will leave a job without another job to go to even in the current environment.” (as read on news.com.au)

7. Free spending

I have only ever been able to save before each holiday/trip and even then I’ve ridden the plastic fantastic for all it’s worth. I have lost or broken 5 phones, 3 iPods and 1 digital camera and simply replace them with new ones. If I want it, I buy it... plain and simple.

So there you have it… my life as a Gen Y.

Now that I’ve owned up to it, I actually feel a bit more justified in my life choices. So next time I walk into an employer’s office, resignation letter in hand, or my parents give me that incredulous look followed by ‘you’re going where?’ I will simply say, it’s my generation baby.

We might not be children of the revolution, but the nature of the world is to revolve, which mine does… around me!