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

[Joseph Steig]

Millenials are generally harder worker, smarter, and funnier . . . in my
experience.

I assume I'll be working for a Millenial at some point . . . but my concern
is that I'm a member of the slacker generation (AKA Gen X).

I know how to paste an Excel table into Word. And I can do e-mail. That must
count for something, no? Hey Fuzzy-Math, you hiring!?

;)
__________________

Joseph Steig | more info at http://www.steig.com
joseph at steig.com | Direct: 617-500-7376


On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 1:27 PM, nestor at fuzzy-math.com <nestor at fuzzy-math.com
> wrote:

>   ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>   ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
>
> 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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