plugged in – THE GENERATION Y GUIDE TO THRIVING AT WORK (a J!-ENT Book Review)

November 24, 2008 by J!-ENT 

“If you were born after 1980, a teenager in the early 2000′s and now are preparing for the workforce, Tamara Erickson’s ‘plugged in’ is a well-researched book and also a very good resource showing the differences of today’s generation and how Generation X and Boomers had in life and the difference in preparing for adult life with a different perspective towards work and life in general and the people they may work with.  Well-written and a pretty good insight to the Gen Y mindset.”

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TITLE: plugged in – THE GENERATION Y GUIDE TO THRIVING AT WORK

AUTHOR: Tamara Erickson

PUBLISHED BY Harvard Business Press

PAGE COUNT: 282 Pages

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

As we welcome Generation Y to the workforce (People born after 1980), the rules change on how life and business is perceived.  With “plugged in – THE GENERATION Y GUIDE TO THRIVING AT WORK”, Tamara Erickson really does a great job in looking towards the life of the GEN Y, looking at the differences that has faced this generation compared to previous generation’s and features data, research and does a great job in illustrating and providing the reader the differences that today’s generation faces in the workplace.

As a person who grew up as part of Generation X but several years not too far off from Generation Y, there are some key points that Erickson writes that I have to agree with.

First off, Generation Y has grown up under a time where there have been major global events such as terrorism at an unprecedented level.  Sure, we grew up during a time of the fear of nuclear war but today’s generation has lived through terrorism in our homeland and abroad.

Another key point is that they grew up with technology.  The Internet, broadband, iPhone’s, text messaging and MP3 players, as well as downloads, social media sites and so forth.   Erickson even touches on the Metaverse and how MMORPG’s such as “World of Warcraft” features a collaborative effort of problem solving, leadership, etc.

But more surprising is how her research has shown that for many people, many want to become successful but not defined by money.  Not wanting to become the boss because they don’t want to be stuck living in stress but wanting to balance their life with doing well but also enough time to have time for their social lives and families.

So, with “Plugged In”, the first quarter of the book, Erickson focuses on showcasing the differences between this new Generation and previous generations.  The next quarter of the book focuses on the Generation Y and features different scenarios and where they stand in their thoughts of career and where they want to be at.  Choosing a workplace that makes you happy than chasing a workplace that you just do, for the money and to provide for the family.

The third quarter of the book then focuses on getting the job but first selecting it.  But also, for Gen Y’ers to understand the people that they work with and understanding their point of views…may they be the traditionalist, Boomers and Generation X.

With the final quarter of the book dedicated to understand the multiple generations one would be working with:

The Traditionalist (Born between 1928 and 1945)

The Boomers (Born between 1946 and 1964)

Generation X (Born between 1965 and 1979)

This goes into situations much thorough than the first quarter by actually comparing Gen Y’ers to each of the following other three generations.

Again, being a Gen X’er, I agree with Erickson’s perspective of the differences between Gen X and Gen Y but personally, I think that there are some overlap between the two generations especially when it comes to technology and exposure and use of the Internet and technology in their daily lives.  Also, depending on what kind of work environment that they are in.  I have friends and associates and even my wife who definitely fit the mold of what Erickson would look at as the typical Gen X’er but then there is another side of Gen X’ers that were working for tech-based companies, involved in startups, their lives changes because of the recent events in the last decade, may it be due to terrorism, bad economy especially now and just changed our whole perspective on life, business and the way we do things.

Erickson’s chapter on “Business Finesse” is a chapter that I do agree with.  For many people who have graduated Magna Cum Laude, involved in various clubs and organizations, volunteering and doing internships…at one point, it may have been important but in these times, I know more and more people who fel that it’s no longer good enough.  As one of those people who worked hard all my life for the good grades, the honor societies, volunteering in clubs and organizations, yes…it’s not enough.  It’s about how you market yourself, how much confidence you have and how much knowledge you have and making sure the work gets done.  Erickson points out how there are employers who are hiring people out of high school.  Heck, there are college students who tell me that there are high schools and junior high schools that have better classes and better computers and updated software than at their own university.

But the “Conclusion” using the film “The Devil Wears Prada” as an example to see how each generation would see that film of the main character choosing her final decision of whether she would stay or won’t stay with the company that she’s worked for, despite being succesful at her job.  For those who saw the film, where did you stand?

So, this book really puts things into perspective!

I enjoy reading “Generation” books but really enjoyed Erickson’s “plugged in” because this upcoming Generation has a lot being offered to them that previous Generation’s did not have. These teenagers and young adults are graduating high school with already proficient knowledge thanks to technology on various software (it seems like a lot of the Gen-Y knows how to operation Adobe Photoshop and use CSS it seems), many are tied into not just people locally but around the world thanks to social media sites such as MySpace and Facebook.

In 1998, I was in college sporting the latest in PDA technology taking my notes and watching Mpeg’s and thought I was quite efficient in handling data without having to resort to a Daily Planner that my Boomer mentors had carried.  Fast forward a decade later and it’s all about the new iPhones, Google Map on a G-Phone and Internet on the spot.

But with ease of technology comes other challenges such as higher costs for college tuition, depression (possibly due to debt because of the college loans) and other things.  But the book is about making wise decisions.  Knowing the people you work with especially if you have a traditionalist, Boomer or Gen X boss.

Granted, like any other “generation” book, some may not agree with Erickson’s perspective and granted, depending on one’s upbringing and cultural backgrounds, life situations will be different for everyone.  But I do like how Erickson does add data on how Gen Y’ers in America and even in other countries such as India have made their workplace decisions and what is important to them.

It’s not a manual for how a Gen-Y should live their life, it’s just a resource of helping you make those hard decisions and giving you various ideas to help ease things in their lives.

All in all, an enjoyable book, well-written, well-researched book!

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