Genertion NeXt代下.docVIP

Generation NeXt Comes to College (and hopefully on to work) Understanding Today’s Postmodern Students/ Workers Dr. Mark Taylor This handout summarizes and supplements the keynote presentation from the EACE Meeting. It is not intended to be a “stand alone” document and should not be distributed to non-attendees without permission. More information about Generation NeXt is available in articles available for download at including the 2007 article “Generation NeXt Goes to Work: Issues in Workplace Readiness and Performance”. Changing workplace Recent traditionally aged college graduates, from Generation NeXt are entering a different workplace than earlier generational cohorts. Information based. Workers are entering a service and information management based economy and organizations as opposed to earlier manufacturing (or even agricultural) economies and organizations. Technology based/ technology issues impacts all organizations and professional workers are required to demonstrate high levels of technological sophistication; the ability to understand and use technology. The workforce in general is more divers ethnically and traditional gender lines have blurred or disappeared. The generational cohorts are more mixed with members of each group expected to work closely together; older “administration” is less segregated from younger workers. Organizations tend to be less vertical. More decisions are (or need to be) made at levels with more customer or consumer contact, as opposed to in the boardrooms. Blurring of authority/ expertise. Traditionally the older workers have been the most skilled and so the most valuable. With explosions in technology, especially the web, it is often the youngest workers (the “digital natives”) who are the most skilled. “Wal-mart” mentality issues. Some workplaces may unfortunately be adopting employment models that are not especially “worker friendly” by limiting full-time employment, limiting benefits (including health c