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Traditionally speaking
a new generation hasn’t always ushered in a new attitude or approach
to the working world, at least not in terms of a monumental impact.
Millennials however, have certainly created a seismic shift in terms
of the culture regarding the workplace and business. Whilst their
parents’ generation created waves of change, millennials and the
introduction of the internet have caused a tsunami and their entire
ethic around work couldn’t be more different from that of their
grandparents.
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Broadly speaking
millennials are those born between 1980-1994, and whilst brought up
in a more analogue world, they were the babies of the digital
revolution and here is how their work ethic contrasts with the
traditional approach.
The Hustler Spirit
With
this generation there is very much the idea of
standing on your own two feet, and the internet has
very much given way to that. |
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Lacking Job-Based
Skills
With a newer and more
open minded approach to business and jobs, there has been a fear
among many that millennials often lack skills which can help them to
forge careers in more traditional, yet necessary fields. Gone are
the days of apprenticeships and a desire to perform manual labor,
and this is something which could be having a damaging impact.
Millennials are much more attracted to college degrees that their
parents and grandparents, but a growing desire to be educated
without a trade or specific job in mind has certainly left holes in
the employment market.
The Pros and Cons Of
An Open Mind
This is undoubtedly a
tech-savvy generation which has helped to bring so many traditional
job roles into a more digital world. Additionally the
open-minded approach of so many has encouraged many industries
to push forward and seek out new solutions. With this being said
however, not every industry, job role or approach requires a modern
upgrade. We only need to look at the disposal nature of products,
given their reliance on low cost materials used in manufacturing, to
see that the old ways are sometimes the best. |
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How Universities Can
Bridge The Gap
Schools and
universities have a huge role to play in bridging the gap between
what was great about a traditional work ethic and the
innovative,
open-minded nature of the newer generations.
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It is imperative that
students are learning towards careers, and not just for the sake of
a degree which serves little purpose without a
job at the end of the
road. The focus has to switch to imparting knowledge in order to
encourage experts in a range of industries, and not just those who
believe that an education and a touch of tech wizardry is enough to
keep pushing the world forward. |
There is certainly a
fine balance which can be struck here to ensure that the sky blue
thinking of millennials can be put to good use when coupled with a
traditional ethos towards
working.
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