I worry about this generation getting the short end of the stick. They will inherit the bill of social obligations written for their parents, have a front row seat to the greatest economic downtown since the depression, be asked to fix an unstainable environmental situation, enter a saturated workforce, and be hit by global competion – the likes of which we’ve never seen before. I hope they will leave the world better off for their children, and learn from the mistakes of the boomers. Gen Y, the world is counting on you – but you can do it!

[...] be available for contract work and targeted initiatives. In fact, this may even be a good time to stock up on promising young talent. The pro-collaboration folks suggest that collaboration can lead to new growth opportunities that [...]

Actually, it’s probably the Gen-Xers that are going to get screwed over. The 30-45 demogrpahic are all lining up for those lucrative senior management positions that will only open up once the Boomers retire.

The Net Geners will probably be okay. As you mentioned, there may be some stockpiling of young talent, so they could land entry-level jobs despite the economy. Failing that, the next generation of young workers can always weather the storm in their parents’ basements playing Xbox 360, working odd jobs to cover their student debts, and planning their business start-ups for a time when investment capital once again becomes available

[...] also gets back to a post that Dan Herman� wrote — how will the Net Gen react to an economic downturn? Will workplace attitudes change? Will [...]

[...] 22nd, 2008, 11:11am Last month I wrote about the impact of recession on youth, and in particular, the impact of a severe recession on [...]

[...] month I wrote on Wikinomics.com about the impact of recession on youth, and in particular, the impact of a severe [...]

Dan,

As a recent graduate and a Net Gener I have been feeling much of what you expressed in your post. I have been looking for entry-level business positions across North America and Europe, but with so much competition and so few positions it has been difficult, to say the least. Jobs I have interviewed for have been cancelled or filled by grossly over-qualified individuals with a family to support – something that I have no control over, but it still results in a feeling of discouragement.

Naumi’s comment on this post basically sums up what I have done to fill my six months of unemployment. I have kept my mind sharp by reading and producing articles that are relevant to my career goals, creating business plans for potential start-ups, volunteering my skills to a local organization andrelieving stress on the golf course and with my Xbox. Once every seven to ten days I will spend the entire day scouring job opportunities, preparing cover letters and hoping for interviews. I always knew that the number of applicants would be high, but when I was one of the 186 applicants exposed by Twitter (http://valleywag.gawker.com/5155309/twitter-exposes-186-job-applicants) it really sunk in.

I should also add that I have received a great education, having both BBA and BSc degrees as well as sixteen months of relevant co-op experience for the fields I am pursuing – it is difficult not to get discouraged when there was so much promise a year ago.

[...] month I wrote about the impact of recession on youth, and in particular, the impact of a severe recession on [...]