Lately I've focused a lot of my energy on understanding a generational workplace divide. My fear is that this is a one-sided endeavor and 'boomers have yet to realize that my g-g-generation isn't the same as theirs.
Here's me in a nutshell:
Raised on Number Munchers, Pizza to Go and Oregon Trail, computers have never been confusing or particularly scary to me. Certainly, I'm not a whiz but I am not afraid to figure out what's keeping me from achieving my digital goals; even when that means irreversibly screwing things up for my boss to fix.
As a card-carrying member of Generation Y, I need to multitask to stay awake. As I write this I've got no fewer than 3 work-related projects open and about as many personal items online too. I care about leading a balanced life and that means home bleeding into work and work bleeding into home. If you need me at 3 a.m. on a Friday to update a work project, I'll probably do it. If my friend needs me at 11 a.m. Tuesday to consult on a life crisis, I'll probably do that as well.
I've put a lot of time and energy into learning the skills I've got (and learning how to absorb new ones). I feel entitled to more than I should, probably because I've been positively reinforced in everything I've done since birth.
A paper-less office makes more sense than mimeographs, iPods make more sense than a radio and emails make more sense than a fax ever has.
My confidence may come off as arrogance, silence disrespect. I can assure you, however, that there is little ill-will intended. I am doing my best to learn and observe how things operate in the hope that by understanding the system I can bend it to include me.
