Tension

This week I attended a career practitioner’s workshop with my mentor. There was a lot of buzz about employment and the upcoming generation Y in the workforce. There were many questions about industry trends and moving youth into employment, etc. I am a member of generation Y and so sitting among a group where I was the minority, I have a couple of things to say.

In a relay race you pass a baton. In a career, you mentor, lead, and ultimately put yourself out of a job as the next generation comes behind you. In those few seconds during the pass of the baton, there is tension. The runners may be going different speeds or the pass may be awkward. As the baby boomers retire and generation Y grabs the baton (careers/jobs) there will be tension. I have a different work ethic and motivation then my parent’s generation. I run at a different pace, with different ideas and a whole lot more tweets along the way. That does not mean that I am less effective, it’s a different style.

I see mentorship as a way to smooth that tension. If both mentee and mentor are giving and feeding into each other, that transition is going to feel safer, and more successful then the random job search for the position which was formally occupied for the last 25 years.

If you feel caught in that tension of the generation gap I encourage you to get involved in mentorship – it is the best way I see to bridge that gap.

Kim Miller

Advertisement