“WE CANNOT

BECOME WHAT
WE WANT BY
REMAINING
WHAT WE ARE”
- MAX DEPREE
 Who Are We? Who are
They?
• The Silent Generation
• Also called Traditionalists, Seniors, The Greatest
Generation
• Lived through the Great Depression and World War
II
• Born between 1922 and 1943
• Baby Boomers
• Also called the Me Generation, the Sandwich
Generation
• Born between 1943 and 1960
• Generation X
• Sometimes called the Baby Bust
Generation
• Born between 1960 and 1980
• Millennials
• Also called the Echos, the Nexters, and
Generation Y
• Born between 1980 and 2000
General Characteristics of Gen-Xers
• Born between 1960 and 1980
• Often children of divorce and
non-traditional family units
• Latchkey kids
• Raised on electronic media
• Use of newest technology is a
given
• Function well alone
• Tend to be pessimistic and
skeptical of authority and
institutions
• Have short attention spans
• “Work to Live” - GUPPIES
 General Characteristics of Millenials
• Sometimes younger siblings of Gen-Xers
• Benefitted from parents’ later life success
• Often have at least one immigrant parent
• Are racially and ethnically diverse
• Identify with parents’
values
• Gravitate toward group
activities
• Believe it’s cool to be
smart
• New technology is a given
• Short attention spans
 To which generation do YOU
belong?
1.Millennials
2.Gen-X
3.Baby Boomers
4.Silent Generation
0% 0% 0% 0%
1 2 3 4
 General Employment Characteristics
• Workers from the Silent Generation
are characterized by
• Loyalty to the employer
• Hard work
• Dependability
• Personal touch approach
• Obedience over individualism
• No hurry/ long patience
• Boomer workers are characterized
by
•Belief in paying dues to get ahead
•Sense of duty
•Belief in sacrifice for success
•Loyalty to employer
•Salary contributes to satisfaction
•Self satisfaction in job is paramount,
but measured in different ways
• Generation X workers are characterized by
• Technology skills
• Entrepreneurial spirit
• Mobility and flexibility at work
• Focus on personal professional growth over
employer interests
• Perceived lack of loyalty
• Want balance of work and home life
• Need immediate feedback
• Will balance end result with desire for quick
resolution
• Millennial workers are characterized by
• Technology skills
• Expectation of diversity
• Expectation of rapid results
• Flexible schedules
• Want balance of work and home life
• Need for independence in decision making
• Desire for challenge and growth
• Expect immediate feedback
Whom do you think is more
comfortable talking to professors?

1.Millennials
2.Gen-Xers
0% 0%

1 2
Differences between Gen X and Millennials
Research done by Molly Epstein at Emory
University (2007) reveals interesting
differences:

Comfortable speaking with

professors:
• 60% of Millennials
• < 40% of Gen Xers
Who is more comfortable asking for
special favors?

1.Millennial
s
2.Gen-Xers
0% 0%

1 2
Who is more inclined to believe that authority
figures should set parameters for behavior and
expectations?

1.Millennials
2.Gen-Xers

0% 0%

1 2
Comfortable asking for special
treatment:
• 60% of Millennials
• 29% of Gen Xers
Believe that authority figures
should set and enforce rules:
• 70% Millennials
• 40% Gen Xers
Who feels more comfortable
challenging professors on grades?

1.Millennial
s
2.Gen-Xers
0% 0%

1 2
Who wants a clearly structured
academic path, presented to them?
1.Millennial
s
2.Gen-Xers
0% 0%

1 2
Feel comfortable challenging professors
on grades:
• 60% of Millennials
• 35% of Gen Xers

Want a clearly structured academic

path:
• 80% of Millennials
• 60% of Gen Xers