The strawberry generation or those that were born between 1980 and 2000, also known as the generation Y have always been the centre of attraction. And not for a good reason at that. Although this doesn’t apply to the whole generation as a whole, it is more convenient for experts to lump an entire generation together based on the time they were born in and the certain traits and behaviours that they have since developed. Perhaps this article will open your eyes up to the way the previous generation may look at us and boost your opportunity of getting a job in the fast-growing workforce.
For one, there seems to be a problem with rising work expectations and graduates taking a far longer time finding a job. Not to mention, those that do in fact have a job seem to keep it for a far less shorter period, due to rising expectations and lack of career fulfilment. And yes, this does seem to be a problem, especially since work-life balance is such an important aspect for these millennials. What this could potentially lead to is an ever-declining work ethic that values fun above hard work and leads to declining productivity at work.
Not to mention, the generation itself lacks a respect for authority. Not that it is a bad thing, but the blatant show of disrespect, because they were taught to always question things, could spell trouble with their bosses. Besides that, the generation is often entitled, self-centred and individualistic, with a mind that they are unique and that people should respect them for it. Nothing could be more wrong than this, especially in Singapore where most teens share the same ideology.
All of these adds up and this results in an over inflated and unrealistic expectation of the world. They expect to rise at an extremely fast pace at work, and see others as beneath them, especially those that have been highly educated. Unfortunately for them, they fail to take into consideration that about a few million other graduates are too equally as capable as them, and have the same mindset as them. All these spells is trouble for them especially with social skills that are comparable to that of an adolescent child.
But all is not lost apparently. One of the four main reasons as to why the strawberry generation has turned out like this is because of a combination of factors that can be improved upon simply. Through, better parenting, lesser social media and an increased patience, the strawberry generation could, in fact, be one of the best generations yet. With all the negative attributes that they may have, comes a whole lot of other positive ones that the previous generation didn’t. Through positive changes in both the workplace and in the people themselves, perhaps the current strawberry generation will eventually find in themselves fulfilment in their lives and path the way for a future generation of better people.