Remember missing kid’s faces on milk cartons? Or your parents telling you not to talk to anyone you don’t know? Do you have the feeling that others should know what to do and it’s not your job to show them? You might suffer from “Stranger Danger”. All symptoms of “Generation X”ers.
I, myself, am afflicted.
Rebecca Ryan, featured speaker at the Young Professionals Summit Luncheon, brought insight into the four generations. As she described “Generation X”, my colleague Catalyst’s Public Relations Coordinator Renee Dennis was looking at me suggesting Ryan was describing me. If you were born between 1961 and 1981, you are a part of this generation.
Then she moved on to the “Millennials” – my oldest son is at the tail end of this young generation, which spans 10 year olds to 29. They have grown up with technology in their hands. These kids don’t know what life was like without computers and cell phones. They are more environmentally conscience and want to be friends.
“Baby Boomers”, born between 1943 – 1960, and “Silents”, born 1925-1942, round out the four generations. To hear her describe them made sense. She used humor to show some of the dominate distinctions between these groups.
Ryan talked about the trends in our society and that generations go through 4 eras during their lifetime. Pointing out that today we are in “winter” – the era of survival. The Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials need to work together to solve the issues of today. She pointed out that Boomers alone shouldn’t be making decisions that will impact Millennials and generations to come. Talking to a group of young professionals, she was calling them to act in their communities for their future.
Her speech was informative and entertaining. She had substance and knew how to keep the audience’s attention. Kudos to YP for bringing in a speaker that was relevant to all!
