I read an interesting article today: “7 Lessons That Older Workers Should Learn From Generation Y“, written by the Intern Queen, Lauren Berger.

“Generation Y is constantly criticized for having a poor work ethic, displaying a sense of entitlement, and having weak social skills., and having weak social skills. They are known to sit at the dinner table with their heads in their phones; they undervalue face-to-face communication. However, as someone who works with this generation and is a member of it (I’m 28), I’ve noticed Generation Y workers also possess traits and work habits that are incredibly useful — and could help older workers’ careers. “

Below are the 7 lessons and my take on them.
1. They focus on work satisfaction, not the paycheck.

Working in the copy center of Staples throughout undergrad and grad school, I can personally attest to this. I was happier at unpaid internships, then I was making money making copies and binding books for customers. I enjoyed talking to people, loved the majority of my coworkers and customer’s loved me, but it wasn’t what I wanted to be doing. After you fall in love with public relations there is no turning back.

2. They are adept at multi-tasking.
I’ll admit it. I’m the girl you see when you’re stopped at a red light, one car over eating a burger while seemingly talking to herself. I’m probably talking to my mom, on my way to class. As soon as I park, I’m checking my new e-mails and Facebook and Twitter notifications. At work, while I’m eating lunch at my desk, I’m checking in on the boy who’s four hours away at Emory for his grad program, reading articles relating to all things Carolina Gamecocks, tracking my UPS package, and yes actually doing work. Multi-tasking Queen.

3. They know how to be productive anywhere.
Agreed.  This week as I had to go on a run for a project I was working for the office, I created a mobile office.  I was managing an RSVP line for an event and took the phone and a few supplies on the road with me. As I browsed the aisles of Hobby Lobby, somewhere between canvases and scrapbook paper ( I was making pink chalk for a Breast Cancer Awareness event, in case you were wondering), I was answering the phones and taking RSVPs for the event. If that’s not a great example of being productive from  anywhere, I don’t know what is.
4. They are comfortable reaching out to top executives.
This is true to a certain extent. Social media makes it easy to extend an olive branch to executives that may ordinarily be out of reach. I still respect the organizational tree of a company. The company I work for fosters an environment where you feel comfortable to reach out to anyone. Perhaps, in a different setting I wouldn’t be as quick to do so.

5. They embrace connectivity.
Being able to automatically connect — over Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter is such an amazing asset to networking. I had an assignment to interview an account planner my first semester in the IMC program at FSU. I didn’t know any local account planners. So what did I do? Log on to twitter and tweet a few account planners. I had several respond and days later I was calling them over the phone conducting informational interviews. Thanks Twitter.

6. They’re in love with their smartphones.
This is so very true. I don’t leave anywhere without my Droid Bionic. My personal, work and school e-mails are synced in a neat app. I can create & edit Word documents. Take a brain break and play Angry Birds, snap a picture on Instagram, and then read a case study for class. I get sad if I’m out and that red battery light starts to blink, warning me of my phone’s imminent death…which is why I usually have a charger in my purse, workbag, and car at all times.

7. They are job hoppers.
To be decided. I obviously want to be at a company that I love, but I know that the first entry-level gig isn’t the end all be all.