GenY: Education Isn’t Enough Anymore

May 4th, 2009 • Uncategorized

On the weekend, the Toronto Star ran a piece called “Generation why me?” If you haven’t read it, do so here, and then come back.

So, not to be a cynic or anything, but were the choices of people with nutrition degrees and their struggles to find work really the best indicator of our generational job struggles? I’m not downplaying the learning they received in university (after all, I’m armed with a political science degree, which is almost as useless from a tangible job skills standpoint), but that’s not exactly a career-oriented education path – at least, not for finding entry level jobs. Same with the MSW student – there just aren’t a lot of jobs within that field.

In my mind, Generation Y does face a pretty unique problem than the previous generations: we’re placed into an educational system that no longer guarantees success merely by our attendance. The old “1 in 4″ argument (1 in 4 of every HS student goes to uni, 1 in 4 goes to college/apprenticeship programs, 1 in 4 finds work out of school, 1 in 4 don’t graduate HS) no longer stands: we’ve now weighted it so significantly in favour of university attendance that the degree has been completely devalued. Our parents, and their parents, didn’t have that issue; a university degree helped separate them from others trying to pursue the same work. This has been aided by an incredible overexpansion of the university system. Consider Laurier, where I went to school. In 1997, total undergraduate enrollment was just shy of 6000 students, where it had been for at least the 10 years prior to that. Last year, enrollment was close to 12,500. For a school to double in size after years of stagnant growth is indicative of a major cultural shift towards requiring degrees for many careers, which I think is pretty apparently obvious.

So, what does this mean? Not only do you have to invest time and money into acquiring that piece of paper necessary to get things started, but in order to be successful, you have to be willing to work your tail off. It’s no longer okay to just want to start out working 9-5 if you’re looking to be competitive in this job market. It’s also not acceptable to just get your degree without having elements to compliment it: work experience, volunteer time, or something to help distinguish yourself from the thousands of others you’re graduating with. There are lots of jobs out there; you just need to take the right steps in order to get them. That may mean relocation, or education in tangible work skills, or pursuing a different field where the work is. You may have tough decisions ahead, but the successful ones will be those who can make those decisions.

And, I’m sorry, but if you’re looking for success without having to work hard, you’re going to end up the subject of one of these articles – and going to continue the stereotypes that the media loves to cover with Gen Y. You’re also likely going to whine about how unsuccessful you are, and how things aren’t fair. Please, for the rest of our sakes, just shut up.

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  • I take pleasure in hearing when people see Twitter/Blogging as a waste of time. Or when their "plan" is to finish undergrad, get the MBA, then work at "some" job in "some" profession.

    And just as much as this is a generation of disruption, a generation that's changing the nature of work, thinking, interacting, and of socializing, it hasn't reach the entire generation.

    Not that it can either. Yes as a society we still need people to take up trades, but are these people going to be the ones now representing the Gen Y way of life? Like the ones in small towns already working at the auto factories (I'm assuming). They seem to follow the Gen X pattern more, but without them we'd be really screwed in 15-20 years.

    Plus in Ontario, given we have 4 years of high school, there is always discussion of students not knowing what they have any interest/passion for even after high school or into university. Being Gen Y almost mandates knowing where your interests lie to be able to put in that extra effort.
  • I never thought going to University would make me equipped for a job. University helped me manage my time (and in my case mis-manage my time & learn from that). University on a whole is a life experience & life in general is the best education you can get. Trying things, failing, succeeding, learning, achieving, falling down & picking yourself back up again. I agree with you - if you want something you'll do whatever it takes to get it (hopefully within reason). I also agree with Holly, when your passionate about something then you will do what it takes because the journey to achievement is one you find joy in taking.
    Many companies want experienced employees and it takes years to get that, you need to be willing to put in your time.
  • To look at this argument from the other side, when does it get to the point where we are asking to much from university students? For many (myself included) University was a time where we actually started to find ourselves, where we wanted to go and what we wanted to focus on. Getting good grades ( especially to ensure potential grad school entrance) and figuring out what you want to do in life are big enough tasks in themselves, is it becoming the case where students are now supposed to have their whole life planned out before they graduate? In my opinion life doesn't work out that way. I think there is a lot of great talent out there in university's (unfortunately among some people who slacked through as well) and while they may not be the perfect candidate with all of the experience and extra curriculars I think if taken the chance on they can add some great value to organizations.
  • Totally agree. I'm so sick of seeing headlines like "Generation Why Me" - totally paints our generation as lazy, incompetent, expectant, and all-around unambitious. Well guess what - everyone I know who is Gen Y and actually cares about their career/future is hardworking, ambitious, determined, and busy as hell. They work their tails off, attend events in the evening to network and learn, and spend their weekends volunteering and enjoying time with friends. I think you're absolutely right - our generation is the first who has had to walk out with personal contacts, volunteer experience, and valuable extracurriculars in order to differentiate ourselves from the thousands of other grads. There is a distinct divide in Gen Y between the go-getters who are willing to move cities, change industries, volunteer for experience; and the ones who expect that putting in 8 hours a day will be enough to guarantee career success. I'd like to see an article that profiles some of the amazingly smart Gen Y-ers in Toronto who are truly changing the city and the world around them - they're the ones who deserve to be profiled.
    Kudos on a great post.
  • Hollis
    While I agree with your overall analysis of the article being another case of slackers whining about their lack of success because they don't work hard, I vehemently disagree with your perspective that the students had enrolled in degrees that don't offer them direct opportunities and question your judgment in thinking those graduates mentioned are not working hard enough.
    I would argue it is the lack of passion in their field of expertise that is causing this overall disconnect with their expectation in jobs prospects. I find that while it is important for graduates to work their tail off to find what they are looking for, it is also important that they are actually enthused and passionate about the things they want to do in that field.
    I sincerely don't think employers will hire people that are looking to settle down for a 9-5 jobs anymore simply because of the societal demands us to demonstrate the fallacious claim to be ever improving, and lofty success goals. But this unrealistic expectation is perpetuating the fallacious hr process, as I am sure not everyone promising the moon in an interview was sincere.
    So in closing, I would suggest that the graduates exemplified in that article simply needs a slight nudge to get them back to reality. In order to succeed without being disingenuous, simple find what you are interested in professionally, and look for those niche opportunities that can demonstrate your talent in that field of profession. A degree means nothing to anyone if you don't know how to use it.
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