Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
It has been said that most of Generation-Y thinks they know everything about computers and technology. And although I don’t work in a technology role, I am often called upon by different colleagues to help them solve a computer problem. In most cases, I either know how to solve the problem, or I am able to trouble shoot my way to a solution.
In a way these situations make me feel pretty good. But I had to ask myself today, is my generation full of technology gurus? Or are we smart asses who think we know everything about technology because we know how to do a couple of cool things on a PC?
To answer my own questions, let’s first look at my technological background (which I would imagine is pretty similar to most college graduates my age):
- 19 years experience working with computers and software applications
- 8 years experience managing web-based applications
- 12 years experience working with Microsoft Office
- 7 years experience managing my own personal web site
- 100’s of hours experience managing my reputation online (yes, Facebook counts)
But are we as special as we think we are? My answer would be no, not really. And while others might consider parts of my job very technical (web sites and graphic design), I do not. Each generation coming after us will have at least the same technical understand of computers and software as we do. It comes with growing up and being educated in the era that we did. It is our responsibility to understand technologies and bring them to the workforce. It will help our country improve efficiency.
I had a basketball coach once say that if he were able to find a younger player who could do what I could do, as good as I could do it, that he would go with the younger player because he had a greater upside.
But is this true in business? No. You can’t possibly learn everything about business without experience beyond technology.
We should be weary of believing our upside is so strong that we should be allowed to check Facebook four times a day. We have a lot to learn and gain in experience in terms how to manage relations and how to work with a diverse team with varying size egos.
I hope that Generation-Y professionals learn to embrace their computer skills with some humility. (And yes, we are all very talented.) But we must not forget that before long we will be asking our even younger professional colleagues for help with new technologies.
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
Comments
03.25.09
Facebook does not count. Nor does Twitter. That's like saying you're an auto mechanic because you can fill your gas tank.
A bare minimum would be writing basic SQL statements and being able to code Office VBA.
That's why anytime someone goes on about how great Gen Y is in technology I laugh my ass off. I interview Gen Y every day. At least the ones I interview (not Americans) are realistic about their capabilities.
Your blog doesn't count either.
03.25.09
@Mad Skills: Unless you're purely talking IT (which I assume you are) I disagree.
Understanding technology (including Facebook, Twitter, blogging, etc.) and how how to use it to target specific audiences is an excellent skillset to have. Marketing departments need it, PR needs it, even the government needs it on staff.
If you're interviewing people to join your IT team, you're totally right ... but here's a question: Would you (as an IT professional) rather work with someone on the business end who understands what you're building, or someone who totally doesn't get it?
Maybe the debate is not whether or not Gen Y is tech savvy, but whether or not they understand how to use technology? Because being a savvy developer is a completely different story.
03.25.09
As a further note, I hope that Gen Y takes a far larger view of technology, how it fits in with businesses and the ramifications of the use of technology, including the dreaded "unintended consequences".
An example:
I was constantly emailed and talked to in the hallways by an enthusiastic young helpdesk operator, who was always extolling the virtue of Google Docs, and how it could save the company so much money.
Since we do a good deal of work for the US and foriegn governments, I pointed out Section 11 in the terms of services, where Google asserts the right to distribute your documents, and share them with other companies, "for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the Services and may be revoked for certain Services as defined in the Additional Terms of those Services." or "for the provision of syndicated services, and to use such Content in connection with the provision of those services."
I then asked him if he would like to explain to the South Korean Intelligence Service or to the Defense Intelligence Agency, why we would allow any other company access to documents under any circumstances, that we had to sign a state secrets agreement in order to do the work, which means no one without proper security clearance and need to know sees them, or shares them without prior permission. Failure to do so incurs Federal charges under the Patriot Act.
Apparently he didn't think that part through. I invited him to make his case to our DIA contracting officer, but he declined.
03.25.09
Mad Skills - I would have to disagree with you on this one.
Also being in a role interviewing and interacting with Gen Y and Millennial respondents on a daily basis, I feel the majority of Gen Y does NOT claim to be experts. In fact, I would argue the opposite view and vouch that most of us are averse to hearing people claim to be experts in something they shouldn't. To take it one step further, I would argue that many non-Gen Y'ers often make the claims of being experts ON Gen Y and social media.
Of course, you do have some people that can rightfully claim to be experts such as people like Chris Brogan or Guy Kawasaki. But, what is it that validates this so-called "expertise"? ...Experience! When it comes down to it, the majority of Gen Y, by default and the environment we grew up in, have a rich experience in the online and social media worlds. I am interested in how managing your online footprint does not count?
If I were to claim to be an expert in programming based upon a basic knowledge of html, of course, I would be wrong. However, leveraging your experience in social media platforms and online communities to help others do the same is perfectly acceptable and not necessarily claiming to be an "expert."
Just a thought..
03.25.09
I agree with Ben that most Millenials do not claim to be tech experts. And more importantly, most aren't. We are quick learners (which more have more to do with our age than anything else), but generally the technology young people know how to use is very specific. Maybe they blog, maybe they code their own website. Most are comfortable with facebook, gchat, and text messaging but few have skills beyond that level.
How many our age can really program with C/C++ or VBA or combine our own MySQL/PHP code? Most can not. Many I've seen come into the work place are not very proficient with word, powerpoint, excel or project either and for the post part these are important workplace tools. But then, most I've seen haven't claimed to be any more tech-savvy than the average person in our generation. I think our greatest advantage at this time is youth and how comfortable we are with PCs and software interfaces and from my experience this allows us to pick up new software programs a LOT faster than those 15-20 years older.
I also think experience "marketing" yourself on facebook, twitter, etc is only relevant if that is the specific kind of marketing you are going into. Most companies do not market with those tools as they are trying to sell a product and often not just to 20something year olds. However, if you were going into an internet start-up company, or something like Brazen, yes that is very useful experience. So it all depends on where you're going.
03.26.09
In my experiences lately, people in traditional PR roles are coming to me with questions about social media, the tactics available and how they are revolutionizing the world of public relations. Am I an expert? No. But do I have a healthy grasp on how to use this stuff? Absolutely.
I have put myself in a niche where I have an education in traditional PR but my focus, my specialty, is social media and how it affects the traditional practice. A lot of companies and candidates claim they "get" social media but they truly do not. Unless you have a track record to back up your claims (700 followers vs. 45, a years worth of niche-specific blogging vs. your Xanga from 2003), you aren't going to get very far claiming to be a know-it-all.
The thing is, these new platforms and communities are not for everybody, yet. Eventually this will become a topic of the past, as everyone comes to adopt it. Think about older communities like AOL chat rooms and ICQ and how we've evolved to things like Twitter. The catch is, if you get it now, you can be part of the early adopters and innovators that have taken this by the horns and pioneered the way before the rest of the world knew what hit them.
I love how this topic is so polarized in our community. Earlier today I read a post about how Twitter won't get you anywhere. Then I wrote one about how it is getting me places. It makes for a great discussion - which is what social media is all about, after all.
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
