The Millennials are Here. Now What? Nicole K. Roberts, PhD Southern Illinois University School of Medicine The Academy for Scholarship in Education.

The Millennials are Here. Now What?

Nicole K. Roberts, PhDSouthern Illinois University School of MedicineThe Academy for Scholarship in Education

Who’s involved in medical education?

Generations, Defined: Strauss and Howe

Cohort generation Born within same general time period,

approximately 20-22 yrs Experience similar society Have similarities in personality (cohort

wide, not necessarily down to the individual)

Generations, Defined: Strauss and Howe

Based on observations of American culture since 1600s

Some evidence of cross-cultural similarities, though somewhat later than in USA

Observations were predictive of characteristics of Millennials Decline in youth problems Increase in “positive” behaviors

Generation Types

Adaptive/Artistic Idealistic/Prophetic Reactive/Nomad Civic/Hero

Adaptive/Artistic (Silent)

Idealistic/Prophetic (Boomers)

Reactive/Nomadic (X)

Civic/Hero (Millennials)

Characteristics of the Millennials:

Special Sheltered Confident Team-Oriented Conventional Pressured Achieving

Special

Included Consulted Raised by GenX

Sheltered

Confident

Opinions have always counted Obstacles removed Actions rewarded

Team Oriented

Work well together Consult with one another

Conventional

Consensus sought Return to manners of the past Return to rituals of the past May be cliquish

Pressured

School standards College not optional for many Structured time

Achieving

Higher grades Higher expectations (?)

What Does this Mean for Us

Prematurely Gray Hair

The Clash of the Generations?

What Does this Mean for Us?

Our job? Transmit values

Their job? Question those values

The Good News

Millennials tend to like their parents Milennials tend to respect authority

So even as they are questioning, they are rational

What Else Does this Mean for Us?

Don’t expect Millennials to behave the same as Gen-X

Don’t treat them the same as Gen-X

What Else Does this Mean for Us?

Be authoritative Be in charge Be flexible Be friendly Be willing to change—with

extensive rational persuasion

Questions?

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