The millennial generation. Generation: Me. Me. Me. There are a lot of notions about the current generation. The baby boomer generation, having grown through their trials and tribulations of the 1960's, defined their generation in creating social & political change. That was their decade. Their decade to say that the status quo can no longer be held true. The notion that their prior generations, especially that of what is considered to be the "greatest generation: WW2 generation" have it all wrong. They believed something needed to be changed.
It was that generation who now believes that everything is handed to this current, millennial generation. Let's not forget, however, that the predecessor generation helped pave the way for some of the current generation's "benefits". Think of the Bill Gates's and the Steve Jobs's of the world who were pioneers in the age of technology in the 70's and the 80's. Sure, things may "seem" to be easier for us. Every fact, every story, every concept and idea is now at our fingertips. As the saying goes, however, "never judge a book by its cover".
Fast forward to the last 8 years. In the post 2008 era, having seen our generation's version of a "depression," attitudes have changed. The belief that going to school, finding a job and building your "career" in this sort of a straight line, "staying in your lane" type of path, is the key to living a stable life. This may have held true when "loyalty" held true in our professions. 2008, however, has taught us a lesson. The lesson that everything you have "built" throughout the years could be gone in a heartbeat. What is the result? Loss of job, loss of pay, loss of home, financial distress, struggling to keep things together, wondering how to pay your kids' expenses, thinking about how to send your kids to college in the future; never mind the fact that you could be a medical emergency from being broke.
It happens too often. Wages have stagnated over the last few decades, as society and the cost of goods and services continue to rise. The global economy is still recovering 8 years later. It's still painful and job prospects are slim. If there is anything our generation has learned over the years, with the help of technology of course, it is the fact that now, it's the YOU Economy. You, now as an individual cannot be dependent on ANYONE nor an organization for your well-being. You, now are the creator, the owner, the director of your success and your future. You own it. You plan it. Every where you go, you are now a walking brand. I am proud that our generation has understood this, because the world will be better off for it as working to solve a problem has become the utmost priority for us.
Always remember: "Opportunities don't happen, you create them." — Chris Grosser
