SX Gen Y

Explain how your Gen-Y employees fit into the bigger picture of the organization. How are we helping the organization grow? Let us know, because we’re intrinsically curious about how we fit.

Thanks Olga! Looking forward to seeing you at tonight’s #SXGenY Happy Hour!

Connect with Olga Garcia:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/olgalg

Meghan talks about three things that managers can do to tell us where we stand:

1. Feedback: It’s VERY important!
2. Talking to us about our goals
3. Let us know if we’re high performers

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Meghan! We’ll see you at SXSW!

Connect with Meghan Skiff:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/meghanskiff

It’s an honor to be speaking on behalf of Gen-Y employees at SXSW 2010. In the past couple years I’ve witnessed so many amazing young professionals get online and become part of the movement to give Gen-Y employees an authentic voice. Elysa, Nisha, Sydney, Ben and I are committed to giving SXSW attendees an diverse look at who Generation Y is and what they want, but we need your help.

We’re asking our fellow Gen-Y bloggers to submit 2-minute videos that answer the question:

How can managers connect with their young employees?

Leave a URL to your video in the comments section below and we will include it on this blog and as part of our presentation at SXSW.

Thanks to everyone who contributes. We’re pumped to include you in our panel!

So in 17 days, I’ll be hopping on a flight to Austin for SXSW. In 21 days, I’ll be speaking on a panel with four of my fellow Gen-Y bloggers/pros/friends/future colleagues. I’m so freaking excited I can’t even stand it.

I’m excited because, HELLO, this is an awesome opportunity. I think we’re going to have an incredible discussion about why Gen-Y wants to work “with” you, not “for” you. I anticipate a lot of our Brazen buddies and other community members will be there. I also hope to see many of my mentors, some of which I met at the conference last year. I’m excited because just a year ago, I dreamed of someday speaking at SXSW, and now that “someday” is 23 days away. Safe to say that happened a little bit faster than I had planned.

I’m excited because there are a TON of people there that I’m super-stoked to finally meet offline. I’ve been talking to Jenny Blake for over a year now and we finally get to connect face to face. That’s going to be AMAZING! There are a bunch of students from USF that are coming, and I can’t wait to see them again and catch up on their lives in Tampa and see how their coursework is coming.

I’m excited because I want you guys to tell us what you want to hear. I know a handful of you will be at the panel – and we’ll obviously have video to share afterwards. So what do you want to hear? What parts of the Gen-Y reputation/stereotype/etc would you like to have discussed? Is there any part of “with” vs. “for” that you agree with? Disagree with?

This is a huge opportunity for five of us to have a voice. If you were on the panel – what would you say?

From Sydney: Unfiltered.

We’re already getting great response to our panel just based on the submission!

• Sounds like a wonderful idea. A panel with some great Gen Y voices that will answer all the important questions Best of luck guys! – Megan Ogulnick
• This is exactly the kind of stuff I’m looking forward to when I make my maiden voyage south, and southwest, to Austin. Good luck! – Danny Cox
• Best wishes to you all, sounds like a great panel! – Ed Cabellon
• Elysa is a confident and clear speaker with excellent insight. I would go just for her. I’m sure the panel will be eye-opening. – Neil Lemons
• Looks like a good group, and of course, always one of my favorite topics! – Tiffany Monhollon
• This would be awesome! A meeting of the gen-y minds, I think some great things would come out of this. Count me in! – Brian Robertson
• Looking forward to seeing the panel. Good luck guys! – Monica O’Brien
• I recognize a few of the panelists as personalities from the Brazen Careerist site, which bodes well for them as qualified spokespeople for Gen Y.
  Being on the cusp of age between Gen X and Gen Y, I have spent a great deal of time helping each side to understand the other, and I have fought many battles myself when placed in the position of having direct reports and superiors from different generations. I have actually presented some videos of Penelope Trunk to help build an understanding of these cultural gaps in the workplace.
  If you need some perspectives of someone who has been in the trenches with Gen-Xers in the workplace, I will happily throw my hat in the ring. – Mike Diliberto
• Not usually big on talk/commentary on “Gen Y” (being one myself) but this sounds very realistic and down to earth and potentially a great discussion. – Kelly Rusk

The panel submission that started it all!

Why Gen Y Wants to Work “With” You, Not “For” You

Description:

Put aside the negative stereotypes of entitled, rebellious 20-somethings and take a minute to dig deeper and see what makes us tick. At almost 80 million strong, the Gen Y workforce is shaping the cubicle nation and the way brands are forced to engage consumers. It’s more than a desire to wear t-shirts and jeans to work; it’s a new mindset. As we digital natives migrate into a workplace full of Boomers and Gen Xers, worlds collide. Truly learn the concept of “with” vs. “for” straight from the minds of 5 diverse and successful Gen Yers!

Questions Answered:

1. What is the concept of With vs. For?
2. What is the Gen Y mindset in regard to the workplace?
3. What is the concept of With vs. For?
4. Who does Gen Y want to work with?
5. What attracts Gen Y to entrepreneurship?
6. How does Gen Y use Social Media?
7. What types of online communities are Gen Y’ers attracted to?
8. Does Gen Y really feel “entitled” ?
9. What can Gen X and Boomers learn from Gen Y other than technology?
10. What should you be aware of going forward with regard to Gen Y?