s a publication for alumni and friends - University of Central Missouri
s a publication for alumni and friends - University of Central Missouri
s a publication for alumni and friends - University of Central Missouri
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campus today<br />
Today’s Gen. Y about Technology, Speed, Family<br />
Generation Y are thought to be<br />
the troublemakers <strong>of</strong> society <strong>and</strong><br />
out <strong>of</strong> control, but has anyone<br />
sat down <strong>and</strong> asked Generation Y<br />
what they think?<br />
A survey conducted by CMSU,<br />
through online interactive<br />
sessions with teens from <strong>Missouri</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> across the U.S., shows that<br />
Gen. Y — people born between<br />
1977 <strong>and</strong> 1994 — do not like<br />
the idea <strong>of</strong> “labeling.” They are<br />
a goal-oriented, independent,<br />
optimistic, skeptical, confident,<br />
expressive group <strong>of</strong> young adults.<br />
Technology, speed <strong>and</strong><br />
authenticity truly define<br />
Generation Y. They see the world<br />
in shades <strong>of</strong> gray instead <strong>of</strong> only<br />
black <strong>and</strong> white. They believe<br />
education is important in taking<br />
the first step toward “making it<br />
big.” Studies have shown<br />
75 percent <strong>of</strong> Generation Y<br />
have an optimistic <strong>and</strong> hopeful<br />
outlook <strong>for</strong> their future.<br />
Generation Y believe in<br />
self-expression over self-control<br />
<strong>and</strong> speed over patience. They<br />
live in a fast-paced technology<br />
driven world <strong>and</strong> they need<br />
the skills to keep up. They<br />
expect 24/7 Internet access.<br />
Cell phones are a big part <strong>of</strong><br />
Lost Boy <strong>of</strong> Sudan (continued from page 6)<br />
swift current. Others were eaten<br />
by crocodiles or shot by rebel<br />
<strong>for</strong>ces, according to Lazaro.<br />
“Those who survived<br />
the river crossing walked<br />
<strong>for</strong> more than a year from<br />
Sudan to Kenya,” he says.<br />
In 2001, the U.S. government<br />
allowed nearly 4,000 <strong>of</strong> the lost<br />
boys to come to America. Lazaro<br />
arrived in Kansas City in 2001<br />
<strong>and</strong> was placed with three other<br />
roommates while spending a<br />
year at Penn Valley Community<br />
College. Today, at approximately<br />
28 years old (there are no records<br />
<strong>of</strong> his birth), he has begun a new<br />
life as a student at CMSU. He<br />
still fends <strong>for</strong> himself, trying to<br />
overcome a language barrier, <strong>and</strong><br />
surviving on college grants <strong>and</strong><br />
student loans.<br />
His remarkable story, along<br />
with his quiet, unassuming<br />
nature, <strong>and</strong> resilience have already<br />
touched the hearts <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> his<br />
Generation Y — people born between the years <strong>of</strong> 1977 <strong>and</strong> 1994 — are known <strong>for</strong> their<br />
abilities to multitask <strong>and</strong> find their cell phone an essential element <strong>of</strong> everyday life.<br />
Generation Y’s life. Lori Smith,<br />
a CMSU sophomore, said, “I<br />
feel lost without my cell phone.”<br />
Over half <strong>of</strong> them use cell phones<br />
<strong>for</strong> text-messaging, email or<br />
Internet access, in addition to<br />
traditional calls. Smith says she<br />
uses text messaging at least 15 to<br />
20 times a day.<br />
Compared to Baby Boomers,<br />
Generation Y are more familyoriented.<br />
Although they are used<br />
to nontraditional families, 90<br />
percent said they are very close<br />
to their parents, <strong>and</strong> 44 percent<br />
faculty members. One <strong>of</strong> them is<br />
Barbara Rhodes, an educational<br />
adviser <strong>for</strong> TRIO Student Support<br />
Services, who said it’s un<strong>for</strong>tunate<br />
that most people are not aware <strong>of</strong><br />
what is going on in Sudan.<br />
She said, “We all live such a<br />
protected life. Daniel’s life story<br />
gives us all an opportunity to<br />
recognize that <strong>for</strong> most <strong>of</strong> us,<br />
our world view is somewhat<br />
naïve <strong>and</strong> extremely limited<br />
<strong>and</strong> that we are sadly ignorant<br />
<strong>of</strong> what is happening in<br />
the rest <strong>of</strong> the world.”<br />
Meanwhile, Lazaro keeps<br />
looking optimistically toward the<br />
day when he can return home.<br />
“I have never <strong>for</strong>gotten my<br />
people, nor will I ever <strong>for</strong>get<br />
about my country. Whoever is<br />
still there continues to suffer from<br />
hunger, disease, dehydrations <strong>and</strong><br />
war. We cannot let Sudan down.”<br />
— Jeff Murphy ’76 hs, ’80, ’95<br />
consider their parents to be role<br />
models. Generation Y live by,<br />
“work less, enjoy life more, <strong>and</strong><br />
put family above all else.”<br />
Generation Y work more than<br />
previous generations, about 17<br />
hours a week. And their work<br />
habits are vastly different, says<br />
Teresa Alewel, director <strong>of</strong> CMSU’s<br />
Office <strong>of</strong> Career Services. Alewel<br />
made national news this fall<br />
being quoted on the subject.<br />
Gen. Y enjoy multitasking<br />
<strong>and</strong> a casual work environment.<br />
In their rubber flip-flops, they<br />
instant message <strong>and</strong> listen to<br />
their iPods. These attitudes <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
challenge employers, Alewel said.<br />
“These students have been<br />
logged on since grade school <strong>and</strong><br />
are a different breed,” said Alewel.<br />
“It’s not a negative thing. They are<br />
more in tune with the competitors<br />
in their industry <strong>and</strong> can use their<br />
problem-solving skills to come<br />
up with new products that can<br />
actually benefit companies.”<br />
Because they blend work into<br />
their personal lives seamlessly<br />
<strong>and</strong> wirelessly, Gen. Y can balk at<br />
a rigid <strong>of</strong>fice structure. “If they are<br />
told jeans or nightclub-friendly<br />
attire isn’t acceptable at the <strong>of</strong>fice,<br />
they’ll ask why they have to dress<br />
up,” Alewel explained.<br />
Gen. Y also believe in using<br />
their debit <strong>and</strong> credit cards,<br />
preferring the fast service they<br />
provide at gas stations <strong>and</strong> fast<br />
food restaurants. The study<br />
showed about one-third <strong>of</strong><br />
high school seniors <strong>and</strong> about<br />
three-fourths <strong>of</strong> college students<br />
have at least one credit card.<br />
When asked, Generation<br />
Y said the number one thing<br />
they are saving their money<br />
<strong>for</strong> is college. About 90 percent<br />
<strong>of</strong> high school seniors said<br />
they expect to attend college<br />
<strong>and</strong> about 88 percent <strong>of</strong> teens<br />
said college is either critical or<br />
very important to success.<br />
Generation Y have been<br />
misunderstood but when<br />
studied <strong>and</strong> asked how they<br />
feel about what they are doing,<br />
its members may not be as<br />
bad as everyone believes.<br />
— Emily Hackman ’06<br />
Members <strong>of</strong> the CMSU Board <strong>of</strong> Governors are back row, from left: Jennifer Hill Nixon <strong>of</strong><br />
Warson Woods, MO; Michelle Patterson Wimes <strong>of</strong> Kansas City, MO; Delores Hudson <strong>of</strong><br />
Warrensburg; <strong>and</strong> Matthew J. L<strong>and</strong>stra <strong>of</strong> O’Fallon, MO, the student representative. Front<br />
row, from left are: Richard Phillips <strong>of</strong> Lake Tapawingo, MO: Lawrence Fick, vice president,<br />
Columbia, MO; Palmer R. Nichols II, president, Jefferson City, MO; <strong>and</strong> Deleta Parmley<br />
Williams, secretary, Warrensburg.<br />
winter 2005<br />
central today<br />
page 7