We want security

Generation Y has been molded by many events over the past years. A recent article I read suggested that we also are concerned with saving money for retirement and benefits. I can agree with this since I am on the edge of graduation. For the past year, I have been thinking about these things and others. As terrifying as it may seem, I feel there is a lack of information and advice from Gen Y's parents.

One idea that has been brought up in the effect of 9/11. Personally, I think this is an interesting theory, but I am just straight out terrified about not having enough money for important things like retirement.

“Generation Y has started saving very early,” he said. “They are already thinking about how to save money for retirement. This is a generation that's old enough to remember 9/11. I think 9/11 changed a lot. They have this idea of safety — personal, financial and career.”

As far as 9/11 goes, I don't see the link. Maybe it's just me! As I said before, I have been thinking about these "adult" things for a few years now. Since I began college, I started thinking about financial decisions. Up until this past semester, I was worried enough, but then I was hit with the news I would need to take out a loan. This loan has put enough strain on me! It really gets you thinking about financial responsiblity and how you are starting out in the red: EEK!

The article further mentions this:

“The Gen Y professionals we surveyed were focused on practical concerns, such as saving enough money for retirement and being able to balance work and family obligations,” Reesa Staten, Robert Half's workplace research director, said in a statement.

True enough, I have always imagined a perfect world where I can be totally satisfied in my job and balance a family on the side. Although I am almost 21, the thoughts of balancing work and family worries me. I feel that Gen Y probably wants it all (at least I do). We are hoping we can find a nice balance, but I know I want to succeed in work as well.

We will have to see how this plays out. We'll find out ten years from now.

They've nailed it!

After reading "Generation Y: They've arrived at work with a new attitude,"I have come to the conclusion that someone has figured us out. Almost everything in the article is true for me with the exception of the bullet point: "Change, change, change"

They don't like to stay too long on any one assignment. This is a generation of multitaskers, and they can juggle e-mail on their BlackBerrys while talking on cellphones while trolling online. And they believe in their own self worth and value enough that they're not shy about trying to change the companies they work for.

Although this is true, (most of us could multi-task such as this), I personally want to find a job that I can stay long-term at. I would have to agree that we do believe in our self worth. I feel like my experiences here at Sam Houston State University, ie. working at The Houstonian, has been an insight into the print world. I feel almost ready enough to go out there are get that job that will suit me best.

This is another point that the article brought up:

After witnessing the financial insecurity that beset earlier generations stung by layoffs and the dot-com bust, today's newest entrants into the workforce are generally savvy when it comes to money and savings. They care about such benefits as 401(k) retirement plans.

These are the issues that I think about all the time. I hope that I will be able to find a job that offers benefits and 401(k) retirement plans. I feel like my parents have been preaching that these are the most important aspects of job planning.

"An environment where creativity and independent thinking are looked upon as a positive is appealing to people my age. We're very independent and tech savvy."
- Katie Patterson, an assistant account executive at Edelman Public Relations in Atlanta.

Patterson is true in this aspect. We do feel independent! I am excited to see how this generation slowly seeps into the workforce.

Topic: Found

Finally, after agonizing over a topic for more than a week, I have finally settled on one that is suitable: Generation Y. I always feel like I am explaining (unsuccessfully) how to open a pictures folder to my mom over the phone. Not all, but most of our parents can be clueless when it comes to technology.

This leaves a huge gap between the Baby Boomers and Generation Y. I hope my blog offers a look at this gap and how everyone else feels about us! My generation was born into Nintendo and most of us probably grew up around computers.

Anyway, hope everyone enjoys!