The story seems to change all the time. Gen Y and Boomers at odds in the workplace. Gen Y and Boomers cohorts in the workplace. Then the next report reads Boomers think Gen Y is unappreciative and challenges their experience and expertise.

The story seems to change all the time. Gen Y and Boomers at odds in the workplace. Gen Y and Boomers cohorts in the workplace. Then the next report reads Boomers think Gen Y is unappreciative and challenges their experience and expertise.

While the generational work dynamic is certainly evolving, one thing can remain constant--and acknowledgement and appreciation for the work previous generations did to pave the way for Gen Y and generations to come. And, yes, this is actually happening.

Annelie Nas, a 22 year-old from Sweden living in Belgium, says the opportunities she enjoys (such as traveling the world while attending business school online) are because of previous generations, plain and simple.

“I’m thankful for everything previous generations have accomplished which has lead to a world with infinite possibilities. We can choose to work abroad, study abroad, study online or not continue educational pursuits. We can try to climb Mount Everest or go on a safari in South Africa. We can learn to surf, play guitar or speak Chinese. We can do something for someone else by volunteering or give to charity. We can change another person’s life. I cannot begin to describe how grateful I am for all the amazing opportunities that we have. I have lived in four countries, studied five languages, owned two businesses and on top of that I’m one year away from a bachelor’s degree in business. I could never have done all of this at my age without the hard work from people older than me.”

More specifically than just infinite possibilities, Gen Y’ers like Adam Pieniazek are grateful for the foundation of the digital age. The groundwork was laid by Boomers and Gen X’ers and now many Gen Y’ers are pursuing Web-based careers. Pieniazek, 25, co-founder of The 42nd Estate, a Web presence firm in Boston, knows previous generations made his career and success possible.

“As a web worker, my entire livelihood is literally built upon the backs of prior generations. The hard work they performed in laying down the foundations of the Internet, and all the great pieces of technology created since then, has enabled me to create and run a successful Web business. Without the Web and its freely distributed tools, The 42nd Estate would simply not exist. Sure, my generation has contributed great things to the digital community too, but without the rigorous and expandable structures put in place by everyone from the 1950s on, none of it would be possible. At no other time in history has such a vast repository of freely available knowledge existed. It has knocked down the rungs of the career ladder and allowed anyone and everyone to jump right in, start learning and building up for the next generation. For all the hard work multiple generations of Web workers put in to make my online existence possible, I am eternally grateful.”

The benefits of technology and expansive opportunities are no longer just enjoyed, they are depended upon. Gen Y’ers, and really people of all ages, can take a cue from Nas and Pieniazek and give thanks to those who made our digital world possible.

To learn more about Nas and Pieniazek, check out their Web sites: http://www.annelienaes.com and http://www.adampieniazek.com/.

For more on “Gen Y Gives Thanks”: Click here to read how the series got started and here to read all “Gen Y Gives Thanks” related articles. Join the #GenYGivesThanks conversation on Twitter and check out what the participants in the series are tweeting about with my GenYGivesThanks Twitter list.