The young people we know as Generation “Y” will soon overtake the rapidly retiring boomer generation in the workforce. when that changing of the guard comes to fruition, today’s young people are expected to keep the country running by filling every position and leading every organization that their Boomer generation predecessors left behind.

STUNNING AND CONFUSED.

In every generation there is enthusiasts; those amazingly talented, smart, resourceful people who know what they’re good at, what they want, and how to go out and get it. Yet many of the young people who graduate from high school and work their way into the workforce each year are frankly dazed and confused…they don’t know what to do and are afraid of what the future holds. Through no fault of their own, they are aimless and lost in a sea of ​​bewilderment.

YOU MADE THEM WHAT THEY ARE.

Considering the incredible amount of contradictions and misinformation that Generation “X” parents and Boomers have thrown at Generation “Y” throughout their lives, it’s no wonder so many of them are aimless. They have been praised, protected, gifted and rewarded by parents and teachers throughout their lives. They have no idea what it means to overcome obstacles and have a profound lack of understanding of the subtleties and cruelties of the business world. They have been taught to believe in themselves and have a deep-seated faith that they will succeed. However, as they near the precipice, they begin to realize that neither their parents’ independence nor their teachers prepared them for real jobs in the real world. They simply have no idea what they can excel at or where their talents can best be used.

Generation “Y” has a core belief that they should never settle for second place. They want to start at the top of the pay scale and believe they should have everything their parents have almost immediately after leaving home. Due to their liberal and generous upbringing, many young people manage to graduate from high school without even contemplating the fact that they will ultimately be singularly responsible for their own lives. Imagine the horror of leaving the nest without a pair of mature, functional wings!

THEY HAVE NO ADDRESS.

In most cases, parents and teachers have done a less than effective job of preparing our youth for the real world. They were not encouraged to enter any particular profession or career. Sure, they bought them laptops and I-phones and told them they’d be great at anything they did as long as they did their best, but they didn’t chart a clear path to adult success. Many parents and teachers told children that they should learn to use computers, get a good education, and avoid dirty jobs that involve physical labor. Of course, they wanted the best for their children when they provided all that support, but they didn’t think it through; they did not balance their encouragement and advice with research and practicality in order to provide clear direction to their progeny. Thus, many of our young people wander the streets, avenues, and malls of North America with a deep-seated sense of despair and no clear plan for their lives. This is what they might be thinking:

“Should I be a doctor, lawyer, pharmacist, writer, teacher, computer programmer, rock star, movie star, disc jockey, businessman, employee, CEO, or taxi driver? I tried but in the name of Bill Gates and Britney Spears, should I try? I don’t know what to do!

WHICH IS THE ANSWER? HOW CAN WE SOLVE IT?

It’s never too late to help your children find their true calling. The first thing you should do is sit down with them and ask them what they want to do. Don’t assume that what you want for them is right because if you try to force them to do something that your If you feel like it would be a wonderful occupation for them, you may find that it is the complete opposite of what they want. In the worst case scenario, you might also find that you just aren’t able to do well after spending thousands of dollars on education costs. Let’s face it, not everyone can be a great surgeon or a skilled airline pilot, and in both cases, professionals in those occupations need to be extremely good at what they do. Doing their best when their best isn’t good enough isn’t good enough.

Create a safe, non-threatening environment and have an open and honest discussion with your children about what they want and then agree to help them achieve it. If they are completely confused and just have no idea what they want to do, you may need to dig deeper. In that case, you can hire a professional employment counselor to work with him or her. However, that can be quite expensive, so for much less expense, you can take a skills and talents assessment that will point you both in the right direction. Most assessments can be completed online with a report generated on your computer within seconds of completing the survey. They are very accurate and extremely helpful. For maximum clarity and fairness, you should have a trained professional inform you and your son or daughter about the report. Once you’ve gone through that, you’ll have a much better idea of ​​what kind of occupation your kids fall into.

THE FIRST STEP IS TO RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR CHILDREN MAY NOT HAVE A CLEAR DIRECTION FOR THE FUTURE.

Once you’ve accepted that they don’t have any plans for the future, ask them if they know where they want to go and what they want to do. Make it clear that even if your address isn’t what you expected, it’s okay with you and you’ll support it. Don’t assume they’ll get by with your brilliance and sparkling personality. While they may seem mature to you, they are just young, impressionable people who need a push from you to take the next big step in their lives.

You created them and they are yours from birth to death. You owe them every opportunity to succeed.

My best wishes

Wayne Kehl