[Hidden-tech] Thanks to all those great Web designers - curious about the new generation/work expectations

[nestor at fuzzy-math.com]

Wow, I don't know where to start on this one.  I'd hate to say what  
I'm really thinking for fear of sounding like I have a "millenial"  
attitude, but perhaps you should re-examine your screening of  
candidates, your expectations, or your reasons for working with this  
group to begin with.  You say you don't want to beat up on 'us' kids,  
but you seem to be looking for others who share your experience,  
rather than those who can share their positive experiences and  
strategies for fostering such relationships.  I have a feeling that  
you didn't found this group as a forum to gripe about "today's kids".   
The fact is that there is a generation gap, one can clearly see that  
from the way that your message reads to someone like me.  The  
experiences you have shared are atrocious, no one can argue with  
that.  However, I have had quite a few experiences with your  
generation that could cause me to stereotype anyone over 50 as a  
doddering, inefficient,  technophobe.  I instead choose to see these  
interactions as they are: as isolated incidents, and learn to avoid  
them.  I suggest you do the same.

--Ryan Nestor




>
> I only mention this because I am curious if others have had issues  
> with this upcoming generation of this sort:
>
> I actually had three kids threaten to sue me for something like $20  
> withheld when they quit projects because they had better things to  
> do, or so they said, and didn't feel like working.  Another 20- 
> something threatened to sue me for $60 when I didn't personally drop  
> off her check at her house!! This same young woman cited my  
> violation of HIPPA standards, not having a clue they relate to  
> health care security. Sigh . . .
>
> In all cases, plus the more recent one mentioned with some pique by  
> me in the last email, I offered to give each a second chance if they  
> were willing to come back to work and sort out what bothered them.  
> Also, they exhibited zero understanding of small claims court  
> requirements and did not seem to understand that people who ditch  
> out on work don't usually get paid. In fact, they didn't realize  
> that interns rarely get paid, though I always pay trainees who show  
> commitment.
>
> My aim is to not beat up on kids, but learn a) if others share these  
> sorts of experiences, and b) what you have done about them. In 20  
> years in business, plus 10 years running news desks and newspapers I  
> have NEVER encountered this sort of attitude. Much has been written  
> about the so-called Milleniums and their attitude issues. Now I'm  
> seeing what these writers and business managers are describing first  
> hand.
>
> We want to encourage this generation to succeed, right?
>
>  As my new staffer, Ashely Deiana told me when she interviewed, it's  
> pretty tough out there for college grads today. She was delighted to  
> get work from me and the payment I offered for training, which was  
> above minimum wage. I can tell you that Ashley and Kate Korolov,  
> another recent staffer (now in New Zealand) are real pros; just the  
> sort of people I would recommend to anyone.
>
> So, fill me in on your experiences. I have journalists and editors  
> out there interested in what we have to say. NO NAMES PLEASE.
>
> best,
>
> Amy Zuckerman
> HT Founder
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