A Generation Gap

I've been talking with some of my colleagues and friends about the challenges we've all been facing at work. One of the things that seems to keep coming up is that we feel like our supervisor don't always understand us or where we're coming.

Is it the generation gap?

We are the beginning of the millennial generation and while I, at least, have heard a lot about working with millennial students, there hasn't been as much about working with millennial professionals in Student Affairs. I remember seeing a session at a conference about just that topic - I'm not sure how many people attended it but I think it'd be a great session for a lot of senior-level professionals.

I mean, sometimes it feels like they are speaking a different language. For example, when it comes to technology. We're used to technology; going paperless isn't scary or exciting to us - it's normal and how it should be.
They also say that millennials want to make a difference; and I feel like that's especially true for those of us who've gone into Student Affairs. We aren't okay sitting back and waiting for things to happen; we want to make them happen. That goes along with millennials being goal-oriented, assertive, confident and high achieving. I can see all that in myself; I like to be involved in strategic planning; I set high goals and work hard to achieve them; I like to take risks (calculated risks of course) and try new things; I want to be heard. I'm going to push because I want to see change happen.

Ha. That just reminded me of Harry Potter and Professor Umbridge. "Progress for progress' sake must be discouraged." Hermione wasn't okay with that and neither am I. It's not about progress for progress' sake; it's about progress with the hope of making a difference, having an impact. And yes, there's no guarantee that it will all work out in the end but it's better to try than to do nothing, isn't it?