Generation Y: Living for the Moment
They might be arrogant, but they are work smart. They like to challenge but also welcome change. Meet Generation Y – young people who were born in the 1980s and early 1990s who will soon become the major economic force in the world.
Hallie Yeung, 24, works in an international bank, and it’s her third job in the two years since she graduated. “I first worked for an airline, but the work was so boring I quit after two months. Then I got an offer in an American bank. The pay was good, but the working hours were long. I always worked late and went home at midnight. I stayed at the job for more than a year.”
She says she grew up in a working-class family, and she’s grateful her parents spent their lives working hard to make ends meet, but it’s not the kind of life she wants to lead. It’s a sentiment shared by many others in her generation.
Unlike their parents who worked hard and saved money for the future. Generation Y embrace a “work hard, play hard” attitude. The business sector long ago realized, as a generation, these young people are hungry consumers always looking for instant gratification, willing to splash money on luxury products, fine restaurants or overseas travel as they flit from job to job.
But they are a challenge for employers – young, energetic and full of potential, they don’t stick at anything. A local survey found that on average H. K. workers under 30 change their jobs once a year. Young professionals will have held as many as eight jobs by the time they are 32.
Salary used to be the carrot all workers chased, but Generation Y care less about money than job satisfaction, work environment and learning opportunities. They dislike tedious and old-fashioned practices, and will confront authority when necessary. If they are not happy with their work, they won’t hesitate to type a resignation letter and look for a new job.
Their confidence comes from security, which they have enjoyed since they were born. Experiencing neither war, long-term poverty nor massive unemployment, Generation Y usually have solid family support and have received a good education. They are aware they have more choices and resources, and are not shy to speak out about what they want.
I) Answer the following questions.
1. Write out the adjectives in the article that describe Generation Y.
2. What do Generation Y want from a job?
3. Why does Hallie hop from job to job?
4. How do Generation Y differ from their parents?
5. Why are Generation Y a challenge for employers?
6. Why do Generation Y not treasure their job?
II) Fill in the blanks with the bolded words in the article.
Generation Y 1.________(jump) from job to job. They hate 2.________(boring) practices and are not afraid of 3.________(stand up and fight with) authority. If they are not happy about the job, they will just 4.__________(leave). They will not 5.____________(stop and think again). They do not stick at their jobs because they have no experience of 6.____________(being poor).
They 7.___________(hold) a work hard, play hard attitude. They look for 8.__________ ___________ (immediate satisfaction) and do not mind 9.____________(spending) money on expensive products. They 10. are _________ of (know) the choices and resource they have, so they have a strong sense of 11._______ (safety). Some may find them 12.___________(too proud) but they just speak out what they want.
