5 Things 20-Year-Olds Get That Most Fear

LESSONS WE CAN LEARN...

I had the pleasure of speaking to roughly 200 undergraduates at my undergraduate alma mater, Temple University, on homecoming weekend.  My speech was to encourage and hopefully enlighten them about all the opportunities that exist based on their Computer Science (CS) or affiliated major.  

After the Q & A sessions poured out into the hallway, it was very apparent that this generation understood 5 important things that will keep them motivated, employed and creative that most people fear during their career.

1. Obtain the degree and get the job by any means necessary.  They were not concerned about pursuing passions and dreams.  They wanted the money and the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.  There was no interest in academia and getting advanced degrees because it was more important for them to show and prove to move to the next level.
2. Money and on-the-job experience are true motivators.  After getting a year or two experience in the field, there was no fear of jumping ship and going elsewhere to learn more and make more.  They understand that staying one place a long time deflates the worth to the company and more respect is given outside the company.
3. The major is minor.  During my undergraduate years the hard-core CS degree was viewed as the smart major compared to the Fox School's MIS degree.  Because there are so many students who don't want to do the hard core work in their undergraduate studies, they have flocked to a more "analyst" degree within CS - a tad bit harder than the MIS one.  They have found taking the easier way out will not hurt them since the degree is still part of the CS department.  All they need is a foot in the door and they are golden.
4. Social media was unimportant.  Less than 20 of these tech geeks had social media accounts because they felt it was a distraction.  They needed to focus on school and get out instead of what the world was saying in less than 140 characters.  This disproves Jason Nazar's theory that 20 year olds don't have focus and believe that time is a limitless commodity.
5. Incompetence is not welcome.  This is good and bad if they are in a team dynamic.  But they understood that incompetence is unacceptable.  Do what you need to do in order to get the results.  If you have to stay up all night and read books to learn it, do it.  Just don't bring that incompetence around them and expect them to make up for it.

If you are old school and believe that staying one place is the answer, don't hire these individuals.  But if you are looking for creativity, motivation, and results, they are eager to demonstrate not only what they know but what they can do.  Hiring this type of talent should be on every leader's checklist.

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Posted in: 20 year olds get,business,degree,education,Forbes,Jason Nazar,networking,Temeko Richardson,Temple University