Don’t Fulfill BusinessWeek’s “The Lost Generation” Prophecy
“Bright, eager—and unwanted.” That’s the first sentence in this week’s BusinessWeek cover story, “The Lost Generation.” They are, of course, referring to you. And while you might certainly (and understandably) feel this way, I strongly urge you not to give in to this generalization—just like all the myths about Gen Y you’ve come to know and despise.
I don’t believe you’re lost at all. In fact, this is a unique opportunity to show the world you’re not who they’ve made you out to be. You don’t want trophies. You want to work—hard—and earn your place in society.
You’re young, yes, but your youth offers its advantages. You’re creative, and thank goodness because that’s what it will take to land an entry-level job these days. You’re savvy and willing to take risks, which leads many of you down the entrepreneurship path.
BusinessWeek cites plenty of statistics, and it’s certainly in your best interest to be aware of what you’re up against. “In the U.S., the unemployment rate for 16- to 24-year-olds has climbed to more than 18%, from 13% a year ago.” “Only 46% of people aged 16-24 had jobs in September, the lowest since the government began counting in 1948.”
But, don’t let numbers defeat you! You’re stronger than that.
In September, the Come Recommended team and I launched a campaign called We Want Jobs, Not Trophies. I encourage you to check out the Web site and get involved however you can. Tell the world you’re not lost, as “lost” signifies giving up—that there’s no hope. Do you have days when you’re down? Absolutely. Do you plan to live with your parents the rest of your life (or at least until the job market rebounds, which could take a while)? Absolutely not!
What are you doing to avoid becoming lost?
