Nathanial Portis's Blog
August 27, 2012
Millennials Vs. Corporate America
[image error][image error]Previous generations have shown both opposition and support for corporate and government industries. For example, Boomers and early Xers protested the Vietnam War; most notably at Kent State University. But none have so specifically and so boldly targeted the very corporate sector they will eventually have to work in and depend upon for the financial support required to raise their families and retire as the Millennial have. Just like Gen Xers and Baby Boomers owned much of the Vietnam protest and the Hippie Movement, so shall the Millennial own the Occupy Wall Street movement.
The median age of Occupy Wall Street [New York] was 28, according to a mid-October 2011 survey of 301 people at Occupy Wall Street’s former base camp in New York's Zuccotti Park conducted by Costas Panagopoulos, a Fordham University political science professor. Separately, Democratic pollster Douglas Schoen surveyed 198 people at the park in mid-October and found 49 percent were under 30.
In 2011 and 2012 young people across the nation went to the streets to protest Corporate America. Below an Occupy Wall Street blogger details his protest outside a Washington DC camp in early 2012.
On January 29, 2012 at 6 p.m. a group from the Occupy DC camp decided to head to the Capitol Hill Hilton Hotel to protest the Alfalfa club [An exclusive annual black-tie get-together of some of the capital’s movers and shakers] and its members. By then the surrounding area had been heavily blocked by the police, in all directions, and the protesters had no other choice but to wait for members from the Alfalfa club to enter the premises using one of the intersections they were blocking.At approximately 7 p.m. Senator Joe Lieberman (Independent) headed to the Hilton, by foot. As he passed the protesters, a heavy cloud of glitter descended upon him and his security; he has just been 'glitter-bombed'.As the evening turned to night the protesters decided to start a block party, with the help of a set of speakers and a laptop. ‘Bulls of Parade’ by Rage Against the Machine, ‘F#@$ the Police’ by N.W.A, ‘(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party!’ by the Beastie Boys were some of the songs played…. As the crowd started dancing 2 women took off their tops which eventually led to over 20 individuals following the same example, men and women who, with the help of a sharpie pen, wrote on their chests slogans concerning their cause. Surprisingly neither the secret service nor the MPD, both at the scene, arrested any of the individuals for indecent exposure.By 10 p.m. the protesters decided to head northeast looking for a way that would lead them closer to the hotel. As they approached 16th St NW and M St. officers started moving to reinforce the barrier. At that point the protesters gathered into a circle and decided they would run towards the barrier. Expecting for the police to be more kind with women, they all agree that women would go first-most of them half naked. As the women charge against the barrier, police tackle all of them and pushed them to the ground. The protesters attempted to cross the police barrier at least 2 more times without any luck. By this point the police had used horses, in an attempt to push away the protesters. In a maneuver done to separate the crowd, police pushed their horses against the protesters, who at this point weren't attempting to cross any barriers, and trampled them against cars who were parked on the side of the road. At this point, several protesters started yelling that they were going to be filing a complaint with the department regarding the treatment they had just received; a few protesters also complained of some of the horses stepping on their feet.
By 11 p.m. the protesters were back at their original destination: the enter/exit intersection from where some of the Alfalfa club members were making their way into the Hilton. As some of the guests started to exit protesters blocked their way or simply shouted at them. Police quickly came to the rescue of the guests, who were obviously distressed and, at times, scared of the protesters. This lead to more confrontations as police pushed protesters away from the guests' ways. According to MPD no arrests were made last night By CNN iReporter Posted January 29, 2012 | Washington, District of Columbia
There is a perception among some Millennials and most Gen Xers that they're at a generational remove from the Occupy protest movement. Many Gen Xers view the Occupy Wall Street movement as unorganized and poorly planned.
Before Joining in a Controversial Protest Supporting a organization or movement is like co-signing on a loan. In today’s heightened security environment, everyone is watching out for hacking schemes, terrorist activities, and threats to national security, so you never know who is being watched or what is secretly going on within an organization. Many businesses require background checks and security clearances before they hire. Even if you’re affiliated with an organization that you think represents a good cause, it may be viewed as a hostile organization by a corporation or government entity that a corporation must do work for. Moving up the corporate hierarchy into management, finance or government-cleared positions later in your career could call for an extensive background check. This may result in denial or rejection depending on what affiliations you had in the past, no matter how small or large your contribution was to the organization.
Making regular contributions to your registered political affiliations and or church are usually fine. However, joining or contributing money to a newly developed action group that wants to march into the federal Capitol building with loaded guns to protest gun laws might not be a good idea if you plan on getting a government clearance or pass a full background check in the future. Additionally, background checks often are related to where you have lived and worked. Long gaps in unemployment and unaccountability in past addresses can also cause you to be rejected for clearances and fail a background check or have your application delayed.
Be Vigilant of What You Support If You Want to Work in Corporate America or with the Federal GovernmentIn college I would sometimes fraternize on campus between classes with a group of students when I was a senior in college that I later found out that a few of them were members of a newly re-established Black Panther Party of 2000. I had known about the original organization, which was called the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense and was an African American, revolutionary, leftist organization active in the United States from 1966 until 1982 — the Generation X period. The organization initially set forth a doctrine that primarily called for the protection of African American neighborhoods from police brutality. Although the movement had brought about some positive changes and awareness in dealing with police brutality in some communities, there were many clashes with federal and state government. Ultimately, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director J. Edgar Hoover called the party “the greatest threat to the internal security of the country.” He supervised an extensive program (COINTELPRO) of surveillance, infiltration, perjury, police harassment, and many other tactics designed to undermine the Black Panther leadership, incriminate party members and drain the organization of resources and manpower.
The Black Panther Party and many of its members were on a national watch list, and the organization was considered a hostile organization and dangerous to the American public. Affiliation with such a group in today’s terms could cause an individual to fail a background check and be rejected from a government-issued security clearance. Although I’m not certain if the Black Panther Party of 2000 had the same affiliation as its predecessor, or if the current group does, nonetheless the group never interested me, and eventually I lost contact with the few folks I knew who were involved with it. I’m not sure if those associated with the organization at the time now work in private industry or not, but I assume that if they ever required a full background check, their affiliation with the group would be called into question by an investigator.
Read more in
College to Corporatefor the Millennial Recent College Graduate A guide for Generation Y Entering Corporate America by Nathanial Portis
The median age of Occupy Wall Street [New York] was 28, according to a mid-October 2011 survey of 301 people at Occupy Wall Street’s former base camp in New York's Zuccotti Park conducted by Costas Panagopoulos, a Fordham University political science professor. Separately, Democratic pollster Douglas Schoen surveyed 198 people at the park in mid-October and found 49 percent were under 30.
In 2011 and 2012 young people across the nation went to the streets to protest Corporate America. Below an Occupy Wall Street blogger details his protest outside a Washington DC camp in early 2012.
On January 29, 2012 at 6 p.m. a group from the Occupy DC camp decided to head to the Capitol Hill Hilton Hotel to protest the Alfalfa club [An exclusive annual black-tie get-together of some of the capital’s movers and shakers] and its members. By then the surrounding area had been heavily blocked by the police, in all directions, and the protesters had no other choice but to wait for members from the Alfalfa club to enter the premises using one of the intersections they were blocking.At approximately 7 p.m. Senator Joe Lieberman (Independent) headed to the Hilton, by foot. As he passed the protesters, a heavy cloud of glitter descended upon him and his security; he has just been 'glitter-bombed'.As the evening turned to night the protesters decided to start a block party, with the help of a set of speakers and a laptop. ‘Bulls of Parade’ by Rage Against the Machine, ‘F#@$ the Police’ by N.W.A, ‘(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party!’ by the Beastie Boys were some of the songs played…. As the crowd started dancing 2 women took off their tops which eventually led to over 20 individuals following the same example, men and women who, with the help of a sharpie pen, wrote on their chests slogans concerning their cause. Surprisingly neither the secret service nor the MPD, both at the scene, arrested any of the individuals for indecent exposure.By 10 p.m. the protesters decided to head northeast looking for a way that would lead them closer to the hotel. As they approached 16th St NW and M St. officers started moving to reinforce the barrier. At that point the protesters gathered into a circle and decided they would run towards the barrier. Expecting for the police to be more kind with women, they all agree that women would go first-most of them half naked. As the women charge against the barrier, police tackle all of them and pushed them to the ground. The protesters attempted to cross the police barrier at least 2 more times without any luck. By this point the police had used horses, in an attempt to push away the protesters. In a maneuver done to separate the crowd, police pushed their horses against the protesters, who at this point weren't attempting to cross any barriers, and trampled them against cars who were parked on the side of the road. At this point, several protesters started yelling that they were going to be filing a complaint with the department regarding the treatment they had just received; a few protesters also complained of some of the horses stepping on their feet.
By 11 p.m. the protesters were back at their original destination: the enter/exit intersection from where some of the Alfalfa club members were making their way into the Hilton. As some of the guests started to exit protesters blocked their way or simply shouted at them. Police quickly came to the rescue of the guests, who were obviously distressed and, at times, scared of the protesters. This lead to more confrontations as police pushed protesters away from the guests' ways. According to MPD no arrests were made last night By CNN iReporter Posted January 29, 2012 | Washington, District of Columbia
There is a perception among some Millennials and most Gen Xers that they're at a generational remove from the Occupy protest movement. Many Gen Xers view the Occupy Wall Street movement as unorganized and poorly planned.
Before Joining in a Controversial Protest Supporting a organization or movement is like co-signing on a loan. In today’s heightened security environment, everyone is watching out for hacking schemes, terrorist activities, and threats to national security, so you never know who is being watched or what is secretly going on within an organization. Many businesses require background checks and security clearances before they hire. Even if you’re affiliated with an organization that you think represents a good cause, it may be viewed as a hostile organization by a corporation or government entity that a corporation must do work for. Moving up the corporate hierarchy into management, finance or government-cleared positions later in your career could call for an extensive background check. This may result in denial or rejection depending on what affiliations you had in the past, no matter how small or large your contribution was to the organization.
Making regular contributions to your registered political affiliations and or church are usually fine. However, joining or contributing money to a newly developed action group that wants to march into the federal Capitol building with loaded guns to protest gun laws might not be a good idea if you plan on getting a government clearance or pass a full background check in the future. Additionally, background checks often are related to where you have lived and worked. Long gaps in unemployment and unaccountability in past addresses can also cause you to be rejected for clearances and fail a background check or have your application delayed.
Be Vigilant of What You Support If You Want to Work in Corporate America or with the Federal GovernmentIn college I would sometimes fraternize on campus between classes with a group of students when I was a senior in college that I later found out that a few of them were members of a newly re-established Black Panther Party of 2000. I had known about the original organization, which was called the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense and was an African American, revolutionary, leftist organization active in the United States from 1966 until 1982 — the Generation X period. The organization initially set forth a doctrine that primarily called for the protection of African American neighborhoods from police brutality. Although the movement had brought about some positive changes and awareness in dealing with police brutality in some communities, there were many clashes with federal and state government. Ultimately, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director J. Edgar Hoover called the party “the greatest threat to the internal security of the country.” He supervised an extensive program (COINTELPRO) of surveillance, infiltration, perjury, police harassment, and many other tactics designed to undermine the Black Panther leadership, incriminate party members and drain the organization of resources and manpower.
The Black Panther Party and many of its members were on a national watch list, and the organization was considered a hostile organization and dangerous to the American public. Affiliation with such a group in today’s terms could cause an individual to fail a background check and be rejected from a government-issued security clearance. Although I’m not certain if the Black Panther Party of 2000 had the same affiliation as its predecessor, or if the current group does, nonetheless the group never interested me, and eventually I lost contact with the few folks I knew who were involved with it. I’m not sure if those associated with the organization at the time now work in private industry or not, but I assume that if they ever required a full background check, their affiliation with the group would be called into question by an investigator.
Read more in
College to Corporatefor the Millennial Recent College Graduate A guide for Generation Y Entering Corporate America by Nathanial Portis
August 3, 2012
#Millennials integrate with #GenX in the #workplace
In Corporate America Gen Xers act as go-betweens for the Millennial and the Baby Boomer. They are also the generation currently most in demand by Corporate America and can usually be found working at senior and executive positions while also serving as mentors to the Millennials just starting out in new careers. Generation Xers have been mentored and coached by the Baby Boom and Silent Generations and are moving into the leadership roles as these preceding generations begin to retire.
As the big brothers, sisters, parents and mentors to Generation Y, Generation X has more tolerance for the Millennial than the other generations. Generation X is the generation that worked its way through college at service stations, fast-food businesses and grocery stores for minimum wage. Members of this generation saved their money to buy used cars that they treated as prized possessions (much as cell phones and electronics are treated by the Millennial today) they customized with shiny rims while showing off to the world. This generation grew up during the invention of new music genres that they listened to on custom stereo speakers carried in trunks of their cars. Generation X was an independent, self-motivated generation. They generally had no problems with moving in with roommates to save money, but this generation frowned on the idea of moving back home with parents and would only do so as a last resort.
Generation X is the generation that sacrificed so that their successors (children, nieces, nephews, etc.) could have more than they did. It was the entrepreneurial and self-reliant Gen Xer who acted as a cheering motivator to the Millennial, encouraging the Millennial to seek education so they could do and be anything they wanted. Gen Xers tend to be economically conservative because they grew up with double-digit inflation, constant threats of layoffs, and corporate scandals that rocked the nation and blew away their parents retirement. Therefore, they have grown fickle about the traditional corporate world. They've seen their parents laid off from jobs that were supposed to be secure, and they won't rely on any institution for long-term security. Gen Xers value the entrepreneurial spirit and will invest in their own development rather than the organizations. This group is adaptable, techno-literate, independent and not intimidated by authority. On the other hand, many of them are impatient, inexperienced and cynical. They prefer to manage their own problems, but seek continuous feedback that they don’t always implement. Gen Xers seek a balance between work and play.Xers are much more digitally oriented than Baby Boomers or Silents. Generally, they do not appreciate the Millennial explaining things to them or showing off the new features on their phones or digital devices. Many Xers put off having children for later in life thus Xers are often the big brothers and sisters of the Millennials and have proven to be just as tech savvy as the younger individuals. On the job, the Xer usually tolerates and often encourages the Millennial to multitask to get the job done. The Xer tends to act as the peacekeeper between the Boomer and the Millennial. They are also usually the ones telling the Millennial not to text or check e-mail during a meeting, but have no problems sending out a text message later in the day for an after-work social mixer.
Words and Messages to Motivate Generate X“Try it your way.”“I like that fact that we’ve got the newest technology.” “There aren’t a lot of rules here, as long as we get the job done.” “I work very well on my own.”“I’m always looking for a change and to further my career.”“I am very versatile when it comes to that.” Events Year Vietnam War 1955-1975 Women’s Movement for Equal Rights 1960-1970 Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 1968 AIDS Outbreak 1981 Space Shuttle Challenger Catastrophe 1986 Berlin Wall 1987 Oklahoma City Bombings 1995 Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky Scandal 1998 Enron Scandal 2001 First Music Video Channel Broadcast (MTV) 1981
http://www.amazon.com/Corporatefor-Mi...
July 25, 2012
The Culture Generations in today workplace
The exact dates marking where one generation ends and another begins differ depending on the research consulted. According to the PEW Research Center, #Generation Next (Millennial) is made up of those born between 1981 and 1988. #Generation X was born between 1966 and 1980. The Baby Boom Generation was born between 1946 and 1964. Finally, those over age 60 (born before 1946) are called the Seniors. These generational breaks are somewhat arbitrary, but are roughly comparable to those used by other scholars and researchers. For most African Americans, the Silent Generation can be traced back to the pre-Civil Rights era to a time of segregation and Jim Crow laws. This is the generation that saw the end of the Great Depression. Silent Generation members are generally the offspring of he Lost Generation(sometimes called the WWI Generation) and the parents of Boomers and Generation Xers. Many Traditionalists currently have great- and great-great grandchildren who are Millennials and Generation M. Most Silent Generation folks don’t have fond memories of the development of the U.S. infrastructure. They grew up at a time when women had few rights, and most minorities and blacks dealt with harsh Jim Crow laws, and some worked as sharecroppers in the southern United States.
Because the Silent Generation grew up during the Great Depression and World War II they tend to be stable, thorough, loyal, private and hard-working. They believe in paying their dues, in duty before pleasure and in having patience. They trust leaders and the order represented by the chain of command. They value government, respect authority, and value formal dress and traditional forms of person-to-person communication. Contrary to popular belief, members of the Silent Generation like to take training courses if the classes are handled properly, and many want to continue to work part-time after they've retired. Research shows that older workers are just as productive as young ones. This generation has a wealth of knowledge to share but usually will wait for you to make the first move rather than volunteer their input. This is why they are called the Silent generation. Additionally, the continued use of “Silent Generation” as a label is justified by the lack of influential political leaders from this generation. For example, no U.S. President has come from the Silent Generation. The few from this generation who ran for president include Walter Mondale, Ron Paul, John McCain, Michael Dukakis, Newt Gingrich, Ralph Nader, Jack Kemp and Reverend Jesse Jackson. Some other notable Silent Generation political figures include Dick Cheney and Nancy Pelosi.
Since this generation was born between 1925 and 1945, the majority of the Silent Generation in Corporate America today is usually preparing for retirement, if not already retired. In most cases, these are the individuals who are reaping the generous retirement pensions and benefits earned during their working years during the industrial age of America. Key findings from a 2005 national survey for the MetLife Mature Market Institute found that nearly all members of the Silent Generation are confident about their retirement income. This level of security is attributed, to some extent, to the fact that many in this generation benefited from a company pension plan. Also, most in this generation qualify/qualified for full Social Security benefits at age 65. This will not be the case for future generations. Nine in ten retirees say that their lifestyle in retirement is either as good as (42%) or better than expected (49%). Nine out of ten pre-retirees (91%) and 79% of retirees have or expect to have income from Social Security. In addition, most have other sources of guaranteed income during retirement. About eight in ten pre-retirees and retirees expect or have fixed streams.
The majority of Silent’s’ have settled into retirement communities across the nation. While more than 90% of the Silent Generation has retired, those still working can be counted on to be forthright, stable and helpful. Members of this group are between 67 and 87 years of age, and when found in Corporate America; they usually have tenure in their profession. They can be a wealth of knowledge for learning how to get things done. Generally, this group takes a "go easy" approach and moves away from conflict. Many are grandparents and great-grandparents. Traditionalists tend to find the Millennial somewhat cute and fascinating. They enjoy learning and sharing the new technologies of the Millennial and X generations, but they don’t actually like using the technologies on the regular basis. They prefer to observe and watch.When speaking to an individual from the Silent Generation it’s important to give them all of your attention, as they don’t like to repeat themselves. Multitasking is considered a negative when done while communicating with this generation. This group tends to be slower to reward accomplishments because they expect everyone to always do a good job. Getting paid and keeping your job is your reward. Direct eye contact and complete sentences are highly favored.
Words and messages to motivate the Silent Generation:
“I appreciate your expertise.” “It's valuable to hear what has - and hasn't - worked in the past.” “Your perseverance is valued, and we appreciate your input.”“We live in the greatest nation in the world.”“I enjoy being here and am thankful for my job.”
Some Important Events of the Silent Generation... Read more about this in College to Corporate for the Millennial Recent College Graduate by Nathanial Portis available on Amazon.com
July 22, 2012
College To Corporate Book Available for Purchase
College to corporate for the #Millennial Recent College Graduate NOW avail for purchase on Amazon.com kindle, BN.com nook, and hard copies available at your book retailer.
BOOK RELEASE Bridging the gap Author publishes first non- fiction manuscript in hopes of assisting Millennials through a rough transitional period. Washington, DC -- July 18, 2012-- Graduation Day. A milestone; The culmination of years of hard and work and dedication. But what happens next? What happens after the diploma is placed on the mantel with care and the cap and gown cows off? author Nathanial Portis had similar questions, and believed that he wasn't alone. Released today, 'College To Corporate For The Millennial Recent Graduate: A Guide For Generation Y Entering Corporate America' hopes to answer many questions, dispel myths, and lessen agonies that new gradates may have. "With such a competitive job market, I felt it necessary to assist those leaving the world of academia. I wanted to share tips and best practices I used while climbing the steep corporate ladder", says Portis. With over 13 years of experience in Engineering and working for high-profile Fortune 500 companies, Portis has found his key to personal success. "It's honestly my pleasure and duty actually to help newbies become acclimated to the workforce", says the author.One of the topics that 'College To Corporate' delves into is the disparities between the different generations. "A Baby Boomer will react to situations much differently than that of a Millennial. My theory is that once we recognize these difference in the corporate structure, it makes it much easier for different generations and personalities to coexist in a work setting", says Portis.'College To Corporate' is Portis' third book, and is his only non-fiction release. " After success with two fiction titles ( you can name them if you like), I wanted to challenge myself. I feel great about my new body of work, and believe there's helpful practices for everyone--not just Millennials", exclaims the author. 'College to Corporate For The Millennial Recent College Graduate ' is now available in all major book stores, via e-book, and from online retailers.
Book available for purchase on amazon.com kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Corporatefor-Mi...
July 9, 2012
#Baby Boomers Interaction with #Millennials in the workplace
Since many Millennials today are the children and grandchildren of Baby Boomers, Boomers have some patience for the Millennials. Boomers welcome the digital age and are often willing to work with new digital devices, but they too are not as quick to use them, as the Millennial would like. Although Baby Boomers tend to be supportive and tolerant of the Millennial, research has shown that the Boomer often grows frustrated with what is perceived as the overuse of digital devices and often views the Millennial as lazy and selfish in the workplace. Like the Silent Generation, it’s important to give the Boomer complete attention while in discussion. Since Boomers welcome much of today’s technology, they are usually tolerant of text messaging and digital devices. However, the Millennial must be careful not to overplay the digital hand when working with Boomers. The Baby Boom generation is the most heavily populated generation of our time and because of that they are very social and usually enjoy direct personal conversation rather than text messaging. Most often, the more face-time spent with Boomers, the more they may relate to a coworker.
In Corporate America, this generation is the mature, experienced group, usually taking lead roles such as senior managers, partners of large firms, chief engineers, CEOs and vice presidents. Since they have seen so much changing history they have made plenty of mistakes and are more cautious than most generations, they are very knowledgeable and one of the most opinionated generation. However, the Boomer can be unpredictable, and many have changed careers after years of service to an organization. They are the most established individuals in the current workforce. The Baby Boom generation has a wealth of knowledge that can be tapped for mentoring. When approached correctly, Boomers usually take it as a compliment when asked to be mentors.
Unlike their veteran parents, Boomers didn't have to endure much economic hardship and were able to focus more on themselves and family (Millennial, Generation X children). On the job, Boomers thrive on accomplishments and are willing to go the extra mile. They’re optimistic, team-oriented and into pleasing the boss or customer. Boomers in general put a premium on developing relationships, but many don't like facing conflict and are very sensitive about feedback. Boomers think they changed the world, and nobody could do better.
Gloria is a 57-year-old Baby Boomer working as an executive assistant. I spoke with Gloria to get her take on working with the Millennial in today’s corporate environment.
“I have two grown sons...( read more in College to Corporate for the Millennial Recent College Graduate by Nathanial Portis book coming July 18th available at all book retailers and online at Amazon.com bn.com and target books)
#Baby Boomers Interaction with #Millennials
Since many Millennials today are the children and grandchildren of Baby Boomers, Boomers have some patience for the Millennials. Boomers welcome the digital age and are often willing to work with new digital devices, but they too are not as quick to use them, as the Millennial would like. Although Baby Boomers tend to be supportive and tolerant of the Millennial, research has shown that the Boomer often grows frustrated with what is perceived as the overuse of digital devices and often views the Millennial as lazy and selfish in the workplace. Like the Silent Generation, it’s important to give the Boomer complete attention while in discussion. Since Boomers welcome much of today’s technology, they are usually tolerant of text messaging and digital devices. However, the Millennial must be careful not to overplay the digital hand when working with Boomers. The Baby Boom generation is the most heavily populated generation of our time and because of that they are very social and usually enjoy direct personal conversation rather than text messaging. Most often, the more face-time spent with Boomers, the more they may relate to a coworker.
In Corporate America, this generation is the mature, experienced group, usually taking lead roles such as senior managers, partners of large firms, chief engineers, CEOs and vice presidents. Since they have seen so much changing history they have made plenty of mistakes and are more cautious than most generations, they are very knowledgeable and one of the most opinionated generation. However, the Boomer can be unpredictable, and many have changed careers after years of service to an organization. They are the most established individuals in the current workforce. The Baby Boom generation has a wealth of knowledge that can be tapped for mentoring. When approached correctly, Boomers usually take it as a compliment when asked to be mentors.
Unlike their veteran parents, Boomers didn't have to endure much economic hardship and were able to focus more on themselves and family (Millennial, Generation X children). On the job, Boomers thrive on accomplishments and are willing to go the extra mile. They’re optimistic, team-oriented and into pleasing the boss or customer. Boomers in general put a premium on developing relationships, but many don't like facing conflict and are very sensitive about feedback. Boomers think they changed the world, and nobody could do better.
Gloria is a 57-year-old Baby Boomer working as an executive assistant. I spoke with Gloria to get her take on working with the Millennial in today’s corporate environment.
“I have two grown sons........
July 1, 2012
#Millennials not driven to drive
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - To Shoshana Gurian-Sherman, driving seemed like a huge hassle."Part of it was laziness," the 23-year-old Minneapolis resident recalled. "I didn't really want to put in the effort to learn how to drive ... I knew how to ride the buses, so it was not necessary."And the other thing was, it was just scary, the idea of being in charge of a vehicle that potentially could kill me or other people," Gurian-Sherman said.She eventually got her license at 18, two years later than she could have, after her parents threatened not to pay for college if she did not learn to drive, a skill they considered to be important.
In her reluctance to drive or own a car, Gurian-Sherman is typical of a certain segment of Generation Y, the coveted marketing demographic encompassing the 80 million U.S. residents between the ages of 16 and 34.Bigger than the post-World War Two baby-boom generation but without the middle-class expansion that drove the earlier group's consumer habits, Generation Y includes an increasing number of people for whom driving is less an American rite of passage than an unnecessary chore."That moment of realizing that you're a grown-up - for my generation, that was when you got your driver's license or car," said Tony Dudzik, a senior policy analyst of the Frontier Group, a California-based think tank that has studied this phenomenon. "For young people now, that moment comes when you get your first cellphone."U.S. residents started driving less around the turn of the 21st century, and young people have propelled this trend, according to the federal government's National Household Travel Survey.From 2001 to 2009, the average annual number of vehicle-miles traveled by people ages 16-34 dropped 23 percent, from 10,300 to 7,900, the survey found. Gen Y-ers, also known as Millennials, tend to ride bicycles, take public transit and rely on virtual media.More than a quarter of Millennials - 26 percent - lacked a driver's license in 2010, up 5 percentage points from 2000, the Federal Highway Administration reported.THE HIGH COST OF DRIVINGAt the same time, older people are driving more, researchers at the University of Michigan found. In 2008, those age 70 and older made up the largest group of drivers on the road, more than 10 percent, which was slightly higher than those in their 40s or 50s.The Michigan researchers offered a few reasons why some younger drivers hesitate to get behind the wheel: the high cost of owning, fueling and maintaining a car and the convenience of electronic communication.The Frontier Group's Dudzik suggested a related cause: computer and smartphone applications that make taking public transportation easier, with minute-by-minute tracking of buses and trains and simple online maps and travel directions.Whether Gen Y-ers will eventually drive more than they do now will affect transportation infrastructure costs, Dudzik said.Bikes and car-sharing services make it easier to avoid the expense of owning a fossil-fueled vehicle. Environmental concerns are another reason, said David Jacobs of the Tombras Group, a marketing firm based in Knoxville, Tennessee."It's not the main reason, but it is a compelling reason," Jacobs said.More central is the group's general anxiety over finances and the economy, he said."They're shouldering higher mortgage costs, rent; their insurance costs are higher than previous generation's," Jacobs said. "And all that's happening after a couple of recessions, so they've really never, as young adults, seen a very healthy, stable economy. They're worried about a lot of things."To sell cars or anything else to Generation Y, he said, "you have to talk to them at their level and make them interested and show them you are a valuable, reputable company with a quality product and you do care about the environment, the economy."That fits with Gurian-Sherman's thoughts on the environment in her decision not to own a car: "I don't know if I consider myself an environmentalist, but I care about the impact that I have." (Reporting by Deborah Zabarenko, Environment Correspondent; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
College to Corporate for the Millennial Recent College Graduate book coming July 18th Visit www.Nathanialportis.com
http://news.yahoo.com/americas-genera...
In her reluctance to drive or own a car, Gurian-Sherman is typical of a certain segment of Generation Y, the coveted marketing demographic encompassing the 80 million U.S. residents between the ages of 16 and 34.Bigger than the post-World War Two baby-boom generation but without the middle-class expansion that drove the earlier group's consumer habits, Generation Y includes an increasing number of people for whom driving is less an American rite of passage than an unnecessary chore."That moment of realizing that you're a grown-up - for my generation, that was when you got your driver's license or car," said Tony Dudzik, a senior policy analyst of the Frontier Group, a California-based think tank that has studied this phenomenon. "For young people now, that moment comes when you get your first cellphone."U.S. residents started driving less around the turn of the 21st century, and young people have propelled this trend, according to the federal government's National Household Travel Survey.From 2001 to 2009, the average annual number of vehicle-miles traveled by people ages 16-34 dropped 23 percent, from 10,300 to 7,900, the survey found. Gen Y-ers, also known as Millennials, tend to ride bicycles, take public transit and rely on virtual media.More than a quarter of Millennials - 26 percent - lacked a driver's license in 2010, up 5 percentage points from 2000, the Federal Highway Administration reported.THE HIGH COST OF DRIVINGAt the same time, older people are driving more, researchers at the University of Michigan found. In 2008, those age 70 and older made up the largest group of drivers on the road, more than 10 percent, which was slightly higher than those in their 40s or 50s.The Michigan researchers offered a few reasons why some younger drivers hesitate to get behind the wheel: the high cost of owning, fueling and maintaining a car and the convenience of electronic communication.The Frontier Group's Dudzik suggested a related cause: computer and smartphone applications that make taking public transportation easier, with minute-by-minute tracking of buses and trains and simple online maps and travel directions.Whether Gen Y-ers will eventually drive more than they do now will affect transportation infrastructure costs, Dudzik said.Bikes and car-sharing services make it easier to avoid the expense of owning a fossil-fueled vehicle. Environmental concerns are another reason, said David Jacobs of the Tombras Group, a marketing firm based in Knoxville, Tennessee."It's not the main reason, but it is a compelling reason," Jacobs said.More central is the group's general anxiety over finances and the economy, he said."They're shouldering higher mortgage costs, rent; their insurance costs are higher than previous generation's," Jacobs said. "And all that's happening after a couple of recessions, so they've really never, as young adults, seen a very healthy, stable economy. They're worried about a lot of things."To sell cars or anything else to Generation Y, he said, "you have to talk to them at their level and make them interested and show them you are a valuable, reputable company with a quality product and you do care about the environment, the economy."That fits with Gurian-Sherman's thoughts on the environment in her decision not to own a car: "I don't know if I consider myself an environmentalist, but I care about the impact that I have." (Reporting by Deborah Zabarenko, Environment Correspondent; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
College to Corporate for the Millennial Recent College Graduate book coming July 18th Visit www.Nathanialportis.com
http://news.yahoo.com/americas-genera...
June 30, 2012
Young workers Don’t want to depend on Corproate America for Health Care
Young workers Don’t want to depend on Corproate America for Health Care www.nathanialportis.com Posted on June 29, 2012 Nathanial Portis More than 3.1 M young adults gained health coverage since provisions of the health care law took effect.
During their prime years many Boomers worked under well funded government programs such as United Post Office, NASA and entered
their careers as interns and new college graduates while America was in
a serious race to land the first man on the moon. Boomers also had
plenty of opportunities to develop first-of-their-kind technologies, like
those used in the NASA space shuttles, the Hubble telescope and the
space station. They also developed the missile and defense technology
that would lead America out of the Cold War era. Baby Boomers worked
during a period of ample government funding and unlimited defense
spending programs and had parents who idolized government. They also
elected many of the officials who laid down much of the governing policy
and regulations that shaped the U.S. economy throughout the 70s, 80s
and 90s. The Baby Boom generation lots of government spending, low medical insurance and good paying jobs, today they are slowly retiring from today’s
Corporate America.
During the late seventies and early eighties, many of the nation’s young professionals (Generation Xers) began to see a shift in the type of work being offered to them. They saw a shift from a nation of industrial manufacturing such as rubber plants and steel factories to automotive manufacturing and social sciences and medical careers. Many of the Xers prepared to enter medical and professional careers designed to support the aging Silent and Baby Boomer Generations through the mid-nineties. Again in the early 2000s, Xers began to see another workplace shift from the auto industry to the Internet and the Digital Age. This shift came at a time when many Xers saw their parents’ and grandparents’ retirement savings wiped out by corporate fraud and weak government regulation that should have protected them.
The uncertain and changing dynamics of the US economy during the 90′s motivated Xers to find better ways to allow future workers to be more mobile and in control of their own retirement without having to be committed to one company for a long period of time such as their previous generation had to do.
The introduction of new policies gave average workers the power to manage their retirement plans by investing into 401K and IRA plans. These allowed employees to transfer their retirement balances if they left a company rather than having to stay committed to the same company for a number of years to collect benefits from a company’s pension plan that may not be there when they left the company. Although these new programs allowed workers to be more independent, many argue that the major introductions undercut pension plans and other benefits that had been introduced by work Unions of the Baby Boom Generation. Still, I like to think that Xers took existing policies and adapted them for the changing times and made them better.
With the well paying corporate and government jobs during the 60′s, 70′s 80′s its easy to see why “Boomers” became so dependent on the benefits and great pay of the stable job economy of that time.
Today health care is at an all time high, previous generations have all but depleted most government funding. The once prized government jobs such as the Post Office, GSA and NASA haven’t had major hiring in years and are now reducing working hours, offering early retirement plans and laying off in efforts to cut-back spending. Young graduates do not see the same stability in the job market nor are we afforded same low-cost company sponsored health plans that came with the profitable corporate and government jobs and for that reason can not and should not have to depend on a job to have health benefits.
According to CNN Money more than 3.1 M young adults gained health coverage since provisions of the health care law took effect. This is just more proof of why changing times require changing laws to govern a changing society.Read more about this at 3.1M young adults gained health coverage since law took effect
College to Corproate for the Millennial Recent College Graduate a guide for generation Y entering Corporate America. BOOK AVAILABLE JULY18th 2012
During their prime years many Boomers worked under well funded government programs such as United Post Office, NASA and entered
their careers as interns and new college graduates while America was in
a serious race to land the first man on the moon. Boomers also had
plenty of opportunities to develop first-of-their-kind technologies, like
those used in the NASA space shuttles, the Hubble telescope and the
space station. They also developed the missile and defense technology
that would lead America out of the Cold War era. Baby Boomers worked
during a period of ample government funding and unlimited defense
spending programs and had parents who idolized government. They also
elected many of the officials who laid down much of the governing policy
and regulations that shaped the U.S. economy throughout the 70s, 80s
and 90s. The Baby Boom generation lots of government spending, low medical insurance and good paying jobs, today they are slowly retiring from today’s
Corporate America.
During the late seventies and early eighties, many of the nation’s young professionals (Generation Xers) began to see a shift in the type of work being offered to them. They saw a shift from a nation of industrial manufacturing such as rubber plants and steel factories to automotive manufacturing and social sciences and medical careers. Many of the Xers prepared to enter medical and professional careers designed to support the aging Silent and Baby Boomer Generations through the mid-nineties. Again in the early 2000s, Xers began to see another workplace shift from the auto industry to the Internet and the Digital Age. This shift came at a time when many Xers saw their parents’ and grandparents’ retirement savings wiped out by corporate fraud and weak government regulation that should have protected them.
The uncertain and changing dynamics of the US economy during the 90′s motivated Xers to find better ways to allow future workers to be more mobile and in control of their own retirement without having to be committed to one company for a long period of time such as their previous generation had to do.
The introduction of new policies gave average workers the power to manage their retirement plans by investing into 401K and IRA plans. These allowed employees to transfer their retirement balances if they left a company rather than having to stay committed to the same company for a number of years to collect benefits from a company’s pension plan that may not be there when they left the company. Although these new programs allowed workers to be more independent, many argue that the major introductions undercut pension plans and other benefits that had been introduced by work Unions of the Baby Boom Generation. Still, I like to think that Xers took existing policies and adapted them for the changing times and made them better.
With the well paying corporate and government jobs during the 60′s, 70′s 80′s its easy to see why “Boomers” became so dependent on the benefits and great pay of the stable job economy of that time.
Today health care is at an all time high, previous generations have all but depleted most government funding. The once prized government jobs such as the Post Office, GSA and NASA haven’t had major hiring in years and are now reducing working hours, offering early retirement plans and laying off in efforts to cut-back spending. Young graduates do not see the same stability in the job market nor are we afforded same low-cost company sponsored health plans that came with the profitable corporate and government jobs and for that reason can not and should not have to depend on a job to have health benefits.
According to CNN Money more than 3.1 M young adults gained health coverage since provisions of the health care law took effect. This is just more proof of why changing times require changing laws to govern a changing society.Read more about this at 3.1M young adults gained health coverage since law took effect
College to Corproate for the Millennial Recent College Graduate a guide for generation Y entering Corporate America. BOOK AVAILABLE JULY18th 2012
June 27, 2012
Unemployed US #millennial #graduates go overseas
Unemployed US #millennial #graduates go overseas
The Millennials run the risk of following Japan's lost decade. Years of economic stagnation and a sluggish recovery have had what economists call a hysteretic effect on Japan's economy -- something akin to a spring stretched too far.
Changes in Japan's labor force resulted in a larger portion of the population being employed under contract with few benefits. This lost generation missed out on the opportunity to gain skills, resulting in widespread socioeconomic woe in a country known for its rigid corporate structure.
STUDENT DEBT
Many U.S. graduates face a further hardship scrambling to pay off loans they took to finance a university education. Many were counting on the higher incomes that college degrees usually promise.
They graduate with an average debt of $27,000 with no means to pay it off and almost 30 percent -- or 13.2 million in 2007 -- of them are uninsured. One concern is that the graduates will lack the skills they need once the jobs come back.
Gaps in employment can cause problems for workers of any age -- a point U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke emphasized in recent testimony.
College to Corporate for the Millenial Recent College Graduate a guide for generation Y entering Corporate America book available July 18th 2012 www.Nathanialportis.com
Lost generation? U.S. grads work for free, look abroad
By Wendell Marsh - AnalysisWASHINGTON | Tue Aug 4, 2009 1:18pm EDT (Reuters) - Americans fresh out of university are discovering their expensive degrees are not the entry ticket to a job they had hoped in the face of high unemployment.
Some young graduates are working for free to enhance their skills and bolster their resumes. Some are looking abroad for work while others are determined to push their way into the U.S. job market.
Jessicalind Ah Kit got off to a great start in her job search. One company flew her abroad and gave her a rental car. After a first day of interviews, the company told her it had a freeze on global hiring.
Ah Kit studied management information systems, economics and Japanese in college. After an 18-month search, she has taken an unpaid internship -- her third.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers says only 19.7 percent of 2009's graduates who applied for jobs had them as of May 2009. During the second quarter this year, unemployment for workers under 25 years of age was 17.3 percent, nearly double the national average.
Economists worry that unless the new graduates get on the job ladder soon, it will leave a void in a country where a wave of retiring Baby Boomers need a healthy young work force to pay for their Social Security government retirement benefits.
The generation -- known as Generation Y or the Millennial Generation typically born in the 1980s and early 1990s -- is made up of the children of Baby Boomers.
The Millennials run the risk of following Japan's lost decade. Years of economic stagnation and a sluggish recovery have had what economists call a hysteretic effect on Japan's economy -- something akin to a spring stretched too far.
Changes in Japan's labor force resulted in a larger portion of the population being employed under contract with few benefits. This lost generation missed out on the opportunity to gain skills, resulting in widespread socioeconomic woe in a country known for its rigid corporate structure.
STUDENT DEBT
Many U.S. graduates face a further hardship scrambling to pay off loans they took to finance a university education. Many were counting on the higher incomes that college degrees usually promise.
They graduate with an average debt of $27,000 with no means to pay it off and almost 30 percent -- or 13.2 million in 2007 -- of them are uninsured. One concern is that the graduates will lack the skills they need once the jobs come back.
Gaps in employment can cause problems for workers of any age -- a point U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke emphasized in recent testimony.
"People who are out of the labor force tend to lose their skills and their connection to the labor force. When the economy recovers, they may not even be employable," Bernanke said in testimony in June.
Research has shown that unemployment early in a person's career makes a lasting imprint.
A working paper by labor economist Lisa Kahn at the Yale School of Management showed that among white male college graduates, the most employed group, there are "large, negative and persistent" effects for those graduating during recessions.
Graduating into a bad economy for this group could mean 6 percent to 8 percent less in wages earned for each additional percentage point in the national unemployment rate. Even 15 years later, there is a 2.5 percent difference for each extra percentage point in the unemployment rate.
Similarly, if they fail to start developing assets, their ability to support major economic activity will be hampered.
LOST? OR NOT?
Despite all that, some recent graduates have gone to great lengths -- figuratively and literally -- to chart a new path in tough times.
Princeton graduate Jason Harper said he and his friends were looking abroad, having exhausted their job search in the United States since graduation in June.
"As much as I want to work in LA, or work in New York, or Chicago, it's just shut-door after shut-door," said the German media and aesthetics major. He said he had made some progress in Berlin.
Whether in the United States or beyond, some U.S. graduates are determined to get into the job market.
"Rather than sitting on the sidelines and waiting for the big job that they might have thought they would get, they are going to go work," said John Challenger, chief executive of job placement company Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
"You'll have more entrepreneurs who say, 'There's no jobs out there for me so I'm just going to go find something, I'm going to make something that matters,'" he said.
Much of the entrepreneurship appears to be at smaller companies, some looking to innovate in a tough market.
"Smaller companies can work just as well as the large companies," said lifestyle design consultant and new media marketer Greg Rollett.
"It's attractive because of the unemployment rate right now. The nature of the job market has really pushed a lot of Gen-Y's to rethink what they are going after."
The Millennials run the risk of following Japan's lost decade. Years of economic stagnation and a sluggish recovery have had what economists call a hysteretic effect on Japan's economy -- something akin to a spring stretched too far.
Changes in Japan's labor force resulted in a larger portion of the population being employed under contract with few benefits. This lost generation missed out on the opportunity to gain skills, resulting in widespread socioeconomic woe in a country known for its rigid corporate structure.
STUDENT DEBT
Many U.S. graduates face a further hardship scrambling to pay off loans they took to finance a university education. Many were counting on the higher incomes that college degrees usually promise.
They graduate with an average debt of $27,000 with no means to pay it off and almost 30 percent -- or 13.2 million in 2007 -- of them are uninsured. One concern is that the graduates will lack the skills they need once the jobs come back.
Gaps in employment can cause problems for workers of any age -- a point U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke emphasized in recent testimony.
College to Corporate for the Millenial Recent College Graduate a guide for generation Y entering Corporate America book available July 18th 2012 www.Nathanialportis.com
Lost generation? U.S. grads work for free, look abroad
By Wendell Marsh - AnalysisWASHINGTON | Tue Aug 4, 2009 1:18pm EDT (Reuters) - Americans fresh out of university are discovering their expensive degrees are not the entry ticket to a job they had hoped in the face of high unemployment.
Some young graduates are working for free to enhance their skills and bolster their resumes. Some are looking abroad for work while others are determined to push their way into the U.S. job market.
Jessicalind Ah Kit got off to a great start in her job search. One company flew her abroad and gave her a rental car. After a first day of interviews, the company told her it had a freeze on global hiring.
Ah Kit studied management information systems, economics and Japanese in college. After an 18-month search, she has taken an unpaid internship -- her third.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers says only 19.7 percent of 2009's graduates who applied for jobs had them as of May 2009. During the second quarter this year, unemployment for workers under 25 years of age was 17.3 percent, nearly double the national average.
Economists worry that unless the new graduates get on the job ladder soon, it will leave a void in a country where a wave of retiring Baby Boomers need a healthy young work force to pay for their Social Security government retirement benefits.
The generation -- known as Generation Y or the Millennial Generation typically born in the 1980s and early 1990s -- is made up of the children of Baby Boomers.
The Millennials run the risk of following Japan's lost decade. Years of economic stagnation and a sluggish recovery have had what economists call a hysteretic effect on Japan's economy -- something akin to a spring stretched too far.
Changes in Japan's labor force resulted in a larger portion of the population being employed under contract with few benefits. This lost generation missed out on the opportunity to gain skills, resulting in widespread socioeconomic woe in a country known for its rigid corporate structure.
STUDENT DEBT
Many U.S. graduates face a further hardship scrambling to pay off loans they took to finance a university education. Many were counting on the higher incomes that college degrees usually promise.
They graduate with an average debt of $27,000 with no means to pay it off and almost 30 percent -- or 13.2 million in 2007 -- of them are uninsured. One concern is that the graduates will lack the skills they need once the jobs come back.
Gaps in employment can cause problems for workers of any age -- a point U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke emphasized in recent testimony.
"People who are out of the labor force tend to lose their skills and their connection to the labor force. When the economy recovers, they may not even be employable," Bernanke said in testimony in June.
Research has shown that unemployment early in a person's career makes a lasting imprint.
A working paper by labor economist Lisa Kahn at the Yale School of Management showed that among white male college graduates, the most employed group, there are "large, negative and persistent" effects for those graduating during recessions.
Graduating into a bad economy for this group could mean 6 percent to 8 percent less in wages earned for each additional percentage point in the national unemployment rate. Even 15 years later, there is a 2.5 percent difference for each extra percentage point in the unemployment rate.
Similarly, if they fail to start developing assets, their ability to support major economic activity will be hampered.
LOST? OR NOT?
Despite all that, some recent graduates have gone to great lengths -- figuratively and literally -- to chart a new path in tough times.
Princeton graduate Jason Harper said he and his friends were looking abroad, having exhausted their job search in the United States since graduation in June.
"As much as I want to work in LA, or work in New York, or Chicago, it's just shut-door after shut-door," said the German media and aesthetics major. He said he had made some progress in Berlin.
Whether in the United States or beyond, some U.S. graduates are determined to get into the job market.
"Rather than sitting on the sidelines and waiting for the big job that they might have thought they would get, they are going to go work," said John Challenger, chief executive of job placement company Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
"You'll have more entrepreneurs who say, 'There's no jobs out there for me so I'm just going to go find something, I'm going to make something that matters,'" he said.
Much of the entrepreneurship appears to be at smaller companies, some looking to innovate in a tough market.
"Smaller companies can work just as well as the large companies," said lifestyle design consultant and new media marketer Greg Rollett.
"It's attractive because of the unemployment rate right now. The nature of the job market has really pushed a lot of Gen-Y's to rethink what they are going after."
June 25, 2012
College to Corproate for the Millennial
Through personal experiences gathered over 13 years of working in corporate America and interviews with Millennials, Generation ‘Xers’ and Baby Boomers Nathanial Portis (a late Generation ‘Xer’) aims to edify the generational differences in today’s workplace and provide some general understanding of how corporate America has adapted many changes into the workplace to motivate and encourage the Millennial, many of which have created challenges for the older generations in the workplace. Nathanial offers suggestions on dealing with various issues that present themselves in the changing workplace of corporate America and gives ideas and lessons from personal experiences on how to adapt to the corporate structure.In all major book stores and online retailers, also available in eBook (kindle, Kobo, Zoom) after July 18 2012 
