I must admit I've gotten away a bit from my efforts to learn more about the millennial generation; who they are, what they think and what motivates them. Yesterday I came across a great resource to help better understand the perspective of people born between 1980 and 1991, a perspective developed by Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin.
According to the college website, "Each August since 1998, Beloit College has released the Beloit College Mindset List. It provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college. It is the creation of Beloit’s Keefer Professor of the Humanities Tom McBride and Emeritus Public Affairs Director Ron Nief. It is used around the world as the school year begins, as a reminder of the rapidly changing frame of reference for this new generation. It is widely reprinted and the Mindset List website at http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/ receives more than 300,000 hits annually."
What a wonderful resource. 11 years of profiles, each year different. And, looking over the profiles, what an awakening for those of us in the "older generations," and especially those of us whose hair is turning quite gray. Here's just two examples from the 2013 list (people born in 1991 who are entering college now as the graduating class of 2013):
"19.They have never understood the meaning of R.S.V.P.
23.The European Union has always existed."
Or how about the ones who graduated in 2002:
"15.They have likely never played Pac Man, and have never heard of 'Pong.'
39.The Titanic was found? I thought we always knew where it was."
What a wonderful resource for those of us trying to understand, supervise, manage and motivate millennials. Thank you Beloit College.
p.s., Carrie -- if you are out there my millennial friend -- what do you think?
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