G enerations Characteristics and Their Role in the Workplace Presented by Frank Hufnagel.

Generations

Characteristics and Their Role in the

WorkplacePresented by Frank Hufnagel

IntroductionCurrently the workforce in the United States encompasses four generations.

Due to world events and the proliferation of technology there never before has there been such a diverse grouping of workers

This presentation will display the character differences, events that helped shape each group, how they learned, and how we as work experience coordinators can deal with them.

The Working Age Population

Source: http://www.segalco.com/publications/segalspecialreports/feb01aquarius.pdf accessed 4/3/05

Identifying the

GenerationsVeteransVeterans

Born: 1922 - 1943

Baby BoomersBaby BoomersBorn: 1943 - 1960

Generation “X”Generation “X”Born: 1961 - 1980

MillennialsMillennialsBorn: 1980 - 2000

Veterans were born into…..World Affairs

Great Depression and World War II

EconomyConverting from laissez-faire to a federally regulated system

Science1939 World Fair, Creation of Nuclear Weapons

EducationSchools fought to stay open amidst unpaid taxes

Characteristics of the

VETERANSExhibit Civic Pride

Loyal

Respect for authority

Careful/Risk Adverse

Work-based Learning Program for Veterans

Strong Desire for Structure

+ Willingness to follow

Cooperative

Apprenticeship

Program

Dealing with aVeteran Employer

Be polite

Let them lead the way

Be conservative

Appreciate the experience and learn from it!

The Baby Boom Generation was born into…..World Affairs

Korean War; Cold War

EconomyCorporate expansion; Job growth

SciencePolio vaccine is developed; 1st orbiting satellite

EducationBrown v. the Board of Education, Integration

Focus on Self

Reject Authority

Workaholics

Greedy

Characteristics of the

BABY BOOMERS

Work-based Learning Program for Baby Boomers

Desire to Succeed

+ Focus on Accomplishments

Career Exploration

Internship Program

Dealing with aBaby Boomer Employer

Give immediate attention

Be equal and fair

Promote heart & humanity in the company

Generation X was born into…World Affairs

Vietnam War, Iran Hostage CrisisEconomy

Inflationary Period; Energy CrisisScience

Man on the Moon; Personal ComputersEducation

Students rights are fought for in court

Individualistic

Informal

Risk-Embracing

Pragmatic

Characteristics of theGENERATION “X”

Work-based Learning Program for Generation X

Individualism

+ Need to Have Fun

Cooperative Occupation Work Experience

Program (Co-OP)

Dealing with aGeneration X Employer

Use hands-on explanations

Offer “elbow-room”

Be prepared to answer many questions and prove your knowledge

Millennials were born into…World Affairs

Persian Gulf War, 9-11Economy

Increased Budget DeficitsScience

Proliferation of ComputersEducation

A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform

Confident

Trusting

Collaborative

Optimistic

Characteristics of theMILLENNIALS

Work-based Learning Program for Millennials

Self Confidence

+ High Priority on making $

Entrepreneurship

Dealing with aMillennial Employer

Give supervision & structure

Offer more attention

Relate the student’s involvement in the company to economic improvement.

What does the future hold?The U.S. Population Is Aging and the Proportion of

U.S. Working Age Population Is Shrinking

In 2002, there were 4.4 people in the working age population (25-64) for every retired person (65+); by 2025, it is predicted to drop to 2.7.

Source: http://www.aeanet.org/Common/Functions/PrintThisDoc.asp?F_id=27188 accessed 4/8/05

Summary

Regardless of which generation we are from, it is important to understand and respect what shapes today’s employers

and workers.

It is important to think less about changing the other person and more

about learning from the other person.