Gen Y from within: Thoughts from a graduating class on their generation

Their labels are many: GenC, Echo Boomers, Millennials, the Peter Pan generation.

And so are their critics. As Gen Y filters into the workforce they’ve been tagged as spoilt, entitled, lazy with a poor work ethic. But they’re also passionate, ambitious and education-focused, with a preference for long hours in meaningful work rather than the nine-to-five slog.

It’s a generation with challenges – notably unemployment – but they’ve also been at the forefront of the technology revolution.

So for a look at Gen Y from within, the Star followed the Seneca College graduating class in corporate communications onto the GO trains Wednesday, for a public speaking exercise where they shared insights into their generation with commuters.

Josephine LaFramboise, 23

Are we the generation that doesn’t want to grow up?

“I am Peter Pan because I would rather stay in school as long as I can, rather than stand on a street corner with a pan in hand.

I am Peter Pan because I would rather build houses in Sudan or teach English in Japan rather than put a down payment on my first piece of land.

I am Peter Pan because I am not quite ready to drive a Sedan or marry a family man.”

Isaac Dumet, 24

Ego tweet ego ergo sum. I tweet therefore I am

“Social media conditions us into a performer mentality. More views, more comments, more activity. That determines how valuable something is….With all of these technological developments we need to ask ourselves, what of insight? What happens to it if every thought is externalized? What of intimacy? Can it exist when relationships are no longer private? What of knowledge? Where can it be found when maximum search optimization replaces scholarly peer review when it come to verification?”

Bianca Mondino, 24

Does Gen Y have self esteem on steroids?

“This is my very first trophy. It was awarded in my tap dance class…it was awarded for perfect attendance...We have infinite opportunities right at our fingertips, but an abundance of options isn’t necessarily a blessing. Despite the extensive volunteerism, onslaught of part-time jobs, education and travel experiences, we must acknowledge that our generation has established a level of self-regard that may face a stark awakening.”

Rebecca Collett, 26

Romance for the Millennial

“A quarter of you have sexted a scintillating short of yourself, and one in five have posed for nude photos or taken nude photos of their partner. Internet genealogy and archive sites will be pretty steamy a century from now… Previous generations accepted diversity but we millennials celebrate it. There is no normal when it comes to relationships. We believe what works for you is cool.”

Yael Hart, 23

The Gen Y work ethic:

“[What about] a future made up of Gen Y-ers who aren’t working too hard because they want to preserve balance in their lives? Who don’t walk to school in four feet of snow uphill both ways? I don’t think craving some balance in our fast-paced world is something negative. I don’t think it makes us lazy. Things are quick. We have to keep up. And we do.”

Ryan Miller, 25

Does Google make Gen Y’s know-it-alls?

“I know what you’re thinking, you’re saying, “Ryan, everybody has access to the Internet, it’s not just you and your generation that has this ability.” You’re right, except for one important thing. I live on the Internet. I grew up on the Internet. I’m a native, a born netizen. I speak the language and know the geography. You are a visitor, you may go on the Internet to have fun or do work, but I am the Internet.”

Perry Ge, 24

Give this generation the tools to think critically about ethics

“Teaching tolerance is fine, but let’s teach students to understand WHY tolerance is valuable, because it’s not the be-all and end-all. Tolerance is valuable because it teaches us to overlook what’s superficial and to respect every individual’s dignity as a human being… As a society we have a history of fighting for what’s right. Let’s keep that up…And let’s not raise a generation of amoral sociopaths.”

Vanessa Garcia, 25

Not all those who wander are lost

“Instead of trying to fit into the cookie-cutter life that others expect of us, we create our own paths to follow. And if we fail or lose, it’s not always linked to being ‘bad.’ We just start again with a new approach. Pushing Restart, Reboot or Reset is a natural response to many unpleasant realities, both literally as in many technological devices and metaphorically as in bad experiences in life.”