INTRODUCTION
I belong to Generation Z, also
known as the "iGeneration", which categorizes those born between 1995 – 2015. It
has been mentioned time and time again that my generation is the bridge between the pre- and post-digital era. We had the opportunity to grow up in a traditional, minor tech society, but we also got to advance and develop alongside the technology. Our predecessors, Generation Y or "Gen Me", were the first generation to be given a “formal technology education”. In an article provided by ADWEEK called “How
to Bridge the Gap Between Gen X, Gen Y, and Millennials” by Michael
Ventura, whom is a Gen Y inhabitant himself, explained how the rapid insertion of
the internet into their lives gave Gen Y the unique understanding between these
two distinct world. But what do you call those born into the current world
where social media, entertainment, and advanced technologies are already
established? Not many people know about “Generation
Alpha”. This post-digital bracket will interact and integrate with these
technologies “at much younger ages than any other generation.” Although the
distinctions between generations are according to their mentality along with
the year they were born, it is amazing to discover the huge connectivity leaps
between the last 3; I like to call this the rises and falls of the millennial
age.
GENERATION Y
Most people like to associate the
millennial age with those born in the year 2000 and later, but the anomaly refers
to Gen Y.1 and Gen Y.2 as a way of encompassing their differences into one term;
Gen Y.1 being those 25-29 and Gen Y.2 being those 29-39. Why is Generation
Y split? According to KASASA, “the
contrast in [their] priorities and [their] needs is vast” meaning that each
segment would take on tasks differently and that their attention shifted when
it came to maturity, finances, and new practices even though they were still of
the same generation. Between 1980
and 1994, the world was divided “50:50” with opposing fundamental beliefs and
values. CareerPlanner.com created a few
lists that summed up most of the pivotal areas that would have affected that
generation. Here are a few:
Gen Y: “The Millennials” grew up and began their careers in a time
when:
- Almost every
home (except 3rd world countries) had an internet connection and a
computer
- 2008, the
largest economic decline since the great depression
- The explosive
growth in online companies such as Google, Facebook, SalesForce.com,
LinkedIn, EBay, PayPal
- A revolution in
the way we work, including widespread acceptance of flex-time, work from
home, freelancing
- The US is divided 50:50 with different and opposite fundamental beliefs and values
During these events, Gen Y extends
the welcome of the internet by involving their emotions and personal lives
through the creation of social media. Before-hand, life was more traditional. Almost
all jobs required a physical resume/application accompanied with a physical and
regular appearance. But, once unemployment became more common, social media
opened a new career path and more jobs for virtually anyone who could generate
a fan base. These convenient practices carried into the next generation.
GENERATION Z
The post-millennial age is
considered the largest and arguably “just as, if not more influential” than the
Millennials (noted
by analysts at Goldman Sachs). Gen Z had the luxury of watching the mistakes
of Gen X (their parents), the struggles of Gen Y, and understanding their own
progression while now entering the adult world. It is predicted that “the
average Gen Z-er received their first mobile phone at 10.3 years” old. Between
the years 1995-2015, a sense of caution was developed, and we have become “less
optimistic and maybe less naïve” than Gen Y. Here is a list of a few characteristics
provided by Careerplanner.com, that differ
and define most of the post-millennial crowd:
iGen'ers are:
- Much more
tolerant of others - different cultures, sexual orientations, races
- Less likely to
go to church
- More likely to
think for themselves and not believe authority figures in church or
government
- Delaying having
serious romantic relationships
- Less time spent
in shopping malls
- Less likely to
go out to see a movie
- More likely to
use Instagram than Facebook
iGens are known for:
- Less "in
person" and "face to face" contact with others due to more
time connecting via smart phones
- Heavy use of
gaming
- Less reading of
books, and newspapers
- Grew up more
supervised, more protected than prior generations
- Less experience
with teen jobs and earning money in high school
- May stay up
till 2 AM using smart phone and social media
GENERATION ALPHA
Although Generations Y and Z are
the current digital natives, they have the pleasure of raising and teaching the
next. There is very little research over Generation Alpha simply because they
are all currently under the age of 5. There are high data expectations for the life
patterns of those born up into at least the next 15 years. Business Insider points
out that “unlike previous generations, which have simply used technology,
Alphas will spend the bulk of their formative years completely immersed in it.”
They have already been named “the most transformative group ever”.
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