the interns at my office are insufferable

[Anonymous]

Ahem. We gen X-ers haven't been kids for many years now. We're also not only just entering the workforce. And compared to Boomers, we've been given very little and continue to be of little interest to demographers because there are relatively few of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not mentor them, you stick in the mud? How else are they supp'd to learn? Maybe you came out of the womb knowing how to be a professional. Not everyone is as lucky.

I personally find it fulfilling working with young people starting out. That's just me, I guess. But, you might find out that you do too?! Or maybe you just want to complain.

It's a generational shift in work ethic. Working in HR we had to attend lectures on what different generations value in the work place. Generations X & Y both lack work ethic. They are given things, do not need to earn anything, they are daycare kids which is where they socialized. This trickles into the workplace and they think it is also a place to socialize. They depend on technology for everything and are not very motivated.

It is not something that "sticks in the mud" are required to pass on to these kids... it is something they are lacking from the get go. Think about how people who were born in the 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's behave at work. For the most part they have strong work ethics.

And don't you think work ethic and professionalism is something that you need to pick up in college and from your parents? I mean, if you are paid to do a job, go through lengthy orientation which OUTLINES what is acceptable and what is NOT acceptable and the interns STILL DO NOT GET IT there is a larger issue... Mentoring helps but doesnt solve anything.

pardon me? i'm sorry. but you're stupid.

I am stupid because I am quoting something straight from a seminar? I guess you are rude then for calling names like a child?

The theory is that Gen Y kids go to daycare, spend the day playing and are in a social setting. Once they enter the workforce (or college or anywhere else) there is a constant need for social interaction, on a MUCH higher level than previous generations. These kids are placed in a situation where they are constantly stimulated, thus when they enter the workforce they expect to do happy hours, talk, hang out, be entertained. It is not so far fetched. Would you like me to PDF the seminar material to you? It was presented to HR by a Corporate Psychologist. Pretty stupid stuff.

Do some research before you call people stupid. If you disagree that is your opinion but the research is there.

[Anonymous]

I haven't been universally thrilled with my Gen Y colleagues, but I have a hard time seeing a direct connection to daycare. Even for them, daycare was quite a long time ago.

But I denounced PP for making gross generalizations about Gen Xers at 10:46. Since I'm still frittering on DCUM, I might as well point out that old guard feminist Boomers were the braniacs who insisted we put our kids in daycare while we try to be all things to all people. Thanks a million.

[Anonymous]

the way I recall when entering the work force, I heard that Gen Xers were the first generation (until recently) that had a lower standard of living than their parents' generation. We were the 'lost' generation bc we had nothing more to achieve bc the parents reached the moon for goodness sake. I graduated college during a recession and feel like I never quite caught up in salary and career level.

[Anonymous]

Yes- reality has always bitten for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I disagree with the Gen X characterization. No, we don't work as hard as the baby boomers, but the reason is not lack of work ethic, rather that we wanted a more balanced life that considered family as important as cash.

My fellow Xer, I respectfully disagree. We work harder and longer hours with less safety netting than our boomer predecessors did when they were our age.

You might. I don't. I don't want the 60 hour week I saw my dad work.

[Anonymous]

I don't see this as a "cohort" issue --- Generation X, Generation Y, whatever. I see this as a leaving school behind and entering the workplace issue. I.e., sooner or later these kids have to learn that you can't make fun of people you don't like, and you can't stand around gossiping and making snide remarks about people who are different from you. You know, that could actually create liability for the employer.

[Anonymous]

I do think Gen Y is obliged to do professional internships before many are ready. College kids don't work at min. wage summer jobs anymore, but it might suit some undergrads better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I disagree with the Gen X characterization. No, we don't work as hard as the baby boomers, but the reason is not lack of work ethic, rather that we wanted a more balanced life that considered family as important as cash.

My fellow Xer, I respectfully disagree. We work harder and longer hours with less safety netting than our boomer predecessors did when they were our age.

You might. I don't. I don't want the 60 hour week I saw my dad work.

That's you. Many people in this area HAVE to work long work weeks to keep their head afloat. Look at the threads of all of the lonley SAHMs who never see their husbands or who have husbands who travel all the time. There is a thread on General Parenting right now with such a husband who is struggling basically alone http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/41685.page

Another thread right now of lawyer moms at big firms working their tails off: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/41949.page

When you get to a certain point in your career, you end up working your butt off, just check out the salaries on their board and all the outsourcing they have to do because they have no time. I also know many people who have low level low paying jobs who work their ass off AND have huge and terrible commutes because the cannot AFFORD to live close to their jobs. Did our parents spend 3hrs a day on the road in gridlock traffic? NOPE. I grew up in this area in Falls Church which at that time was considered the wayyyy out boonies. Points west were still farmland.

My mom now lives overseas and is appalled (with her hindsight 20/20 vision) at how hard me and my husband work. She lives in a country that basically closes in August and in December with much shorter work weeks and 2 hours break in the middle of the day. She thinks Americans are slaves to our economy which is true. We are literally killing ourselves to live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I disagree with the Gen X characterization. No, we don't work as hard as the baby boomers, but the reason is not lack of work ethic, rather that we wanted a more balanced life that considered family as important as cash.

My fellow Xer, I respectfully disagree. We work harder and longer hours with less safety netting than our boomer predecessors did when they were our age.

You might. I don't. I don't want the 60 hour week I saw my dad work.

That's you. Many people in this area HAVE to work long work weeks to keep their head afloat. Look at the threads of all of the lonley SAHMs who never see their husbands or who have husbands who travel all the time. There is a thread on General Parenting right now with such a husband who is struggling basically alone http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/41685.page

Another thread right now of lawyer moms at big firms working their tails off: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/41949.page

When you get to a certain point in your career, you end up working your butt off, just check out the salaries on their board and all the outsourcing they have to do because they have no time. I also know many people who have low level low paying jobs who work their ass off AND have huge and terrible commutes because the cannot AFFORD to live close to their jobs. Did our parents spend 3hrs a day on the road in gridlock traffic? NOPE. I grew up in this area in Falls Church which at that time was considered the wayyyy out boonies. Points west were still farmland.

My mom now lives overseas and is appalled (with her hindsight 20/20 vision) at how hard me and my husband work. She lives in a country that basically closes in August and in December with much shorter work weeks and 2 hours break in the middle of the day. She thinks Americans are slaves to our economy which is true. We are literally killing ourselves to live.

You are sooooo right. We live to work. And that's because of the Boomers' attitudes that "I had to do it, so EVERYONE has to do it"

I'm 30 yrs old, work very hard and am very good at what I do. I also complete projects in 25% of the time that it used to take because I am technologically capable. I can actually do my work in 8 hrs and leave at 5. YET - Boomers frown upon this because it's not what they did inthe years they were first in the workforce.

Times have changed and the people in their 50s/60s refuse to change.

The younger generations HAVE been in daycare or latchkey kids in greater numbers and now - YOU KNOW WHAT? We don't want that for our kids or our own lives! We want to have a life outside the office and don't feel it necessary to slave away because older managers refuse to accept the change.

I want to work at home because it's possible and because my output will be the same, but I'll save commuting time, costs and stress. I want to shorten my workweek to 4 days so that I can see my kids grow up or so I can do the laundry so my weekend can be filled with going to the gym or a museum. I want to do all of these things because it will make me a more productive worker. If workers are miserable they quit, get sick, lose prodcutivity....

Really, things have changed. It's not Gen X or Y - it's the Boomers who have created this stall in progress in the office place. We have so much technology, so much capability of imprioving both office life and personal life - why aren't we doing it???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work at a govt agency and most of our interns are law students, but some college and a few high school too, and they are usually good. NO, I don't want to be friends with them, and some have a hard time making eye contact, but they seem to focus on the job and give me good work (most resesarch projects I need done). They usually are unpaid.

That's because you're an old hag

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As far as mentoring. If you tell a female intern during orientation that open toe shoes & low cut t shirts are not allowed in the office and she signs the acknowledgement that she received the firm policy manual, yet she proceeds to wear flip flops and tank top with short skirts why is it a matter or mentoring? It is a matter of not taking policy seriously and not caring enough to respect it.

I remember those days. I just scraped by college, got my first job with such incredibly low salary. How was I supposed to find the money for a brand new wardrobe and where? There jus was no money?

We do not all come from 'daddy pays' households

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I disagree with the Gen X characterization. No, we don't work as hard as the baby boomers, but the reason is not lack of work ethic, rather that we wanted a more balanced life that considered family as important as cash.

My fellow Xer, I respectfully disagree. We work harder and longer hours with less safety netting than our boomer predecessors did when they were our age.

You might. I don't. I don't want the 60 hour week I saw my dad work.

That's you. Many people in this area HAVE to work long work weeks to keep their head afloat. Look at the threads of all of the lonley SAHMs who never see their husbands or who have husbands who travel all the time. There is a thread on General Parenting right now with such a husband who is struggling basically alone http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/41685.page

Another thread right now of lawyer moms at big firms working their tails off: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/41949.page

When you get to a certain point in your career, you end up working your butt off, just check out the salaries on their board and all the outsourcing they have to do because they have no time. I also know many people who have low level low paying jobs who work their ass off AND have huge and terrible commutes because the cannot AFFORD to live close to their jobs. Did our parents spend 3hrs a day on the road in gridlock traffic? NOPE. I grew up in this area in Falls Church which at that time was considered the wayyyy out boonies. Points west were still farmland.

My mom now lives overseas and is appalled (with her hindsight 20/20 vision) at how hard me and my husband work. She lives in a country that basically closes in August and in December with much shorter work weeks and 2 hours break in the middle of the day. She thinks Americans are slaves to our economy which is true. We are literally killing ourselves to live.

You are sooooo right. We live to work. And that's because of the Boomers' attitudes that "I had to do it, so EVERYONE has to do it"

I'm 30 yrs old, work very hard and am very good at what I do. I also complete projects in 25% of the time that it used to take because I am technologically capable. I can actually do my work in 8 hrs and leave at 5. YET - Boomers frown upon this because it's not what they did inthe years they were first in the workforce.

Times have changed and the people in their 50s/60s refuse to change.

The younger generations HAVE been in daycare or latchkey kids in greater numbers and now - YOU KNOW WHAT? We don't want that for our kids or our own lives! We want to have a life outside the office and don't feel it necessary to slave away because older managers refuse to accept the change.

I want to work at home because it's possible and because my output will be the same, but I'll save commuting time, costs and stress. I want to shorten my workweek to 4 days so that I can see my kids grow up or so I can do the laundry so my weekend can be filled with going to the gym or a museum. I want to do all of these things because it will make me a more productive worker. If workers are miserable they quit, get sick, lose prodcutivity....

Really, things have changed. It's not Gen X or Y - it's the Boomers who have created this stall in progress in the office place. We have so much technology, so much capability of imprioving both office life and personal life - why aren't we doing it???

Wow. Nicely said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at a govt agency and most of our interns are law students, but some college and a few high school too, and they are usually good. NO, I don't want to be friends with them, and some have a hard time making eye contact, but they seem to focus on the job and give me good work (most resesarch projects I need done). They usually are unpaid.

That's because you're an old hag

That's an apparent non sequitur that needs explaining!