Such was the case today. This morning, as I was listening to The Eye-Opener, they held an interview with a lady who discussed the importance of a strong work ethic in young professionals today.
[Ed. note: I apologize, as I forgot the interviewee's name, and my search of the web for related content proved fruitless.]The interviewees' comments and arguments heavily centered around today's young adults, with respect to recent University graduates, and contrasted them with the attitudes of the older professionals (in the same field) who are due to retire. She sensed a fundamental difference in the attitudes of both generations. She argued that today's youth (including those in their twenties) have no work ethic; that they are spoiled rotten, have had everything handed to them on a silver platter, and never had to work for anything in the life. She further expounded on youth's reluctance to work beyond forty hours per week, citing that people of her age were accustomed to investing more than sixty hours per week in their professional endeavors. Since it has been almost sixteen hours since I have heard her arguments, I am a little bit fuzzy about the details.
I remember being a little perturbed about her arguments. I both agree and disagree with her arguments. This likely has a lot to do with the fact that I am a member of Generation-X, and she is discussing the differences between the Baby-Boomers and the "Me" Generation. Sadly, like everything else in my life, I have managed to "fall between the cracks".
Recent University graduates are entering the workforce with the notion that upon graduation, they expect a top-notch position with unrealistic benefits. Climbing the corporate ladder is cutthroat; competitors will eat you alive. Top executives have had to fight their entire lives to achieve the positions they currently hold, or at the very least, hope to achieve. I severely doubt that these workaholics who are nearing retirement will gladly give thier high-paying jobs to any inexperienced University graduate who wears ball caps and T-shirts to work.
Conversely, those who are due to retire have spent their entire lives acquiring their personal wealth. They have been married to their jobs for thirty or more years. If you have any job that pays you a substantial amount of money, you will know that you are expected to invest far more than forty hours per week at your job. As a professional executive in almost any company, it is assured that you will not see your significant other, nor your children for days on end. Your job is your life. Forget ball practice; forget your anniversary; forget vacations, and forget your children. You will end up spending most of your adult life inside a cubicle. If you are lucky, you will get an office to yourself.
Today's young professionals seem to understand the importance of the quality of life that exists outside of the office tower. They want to spend time with their family, while their children are still young. They want a social life; they want recreation. The difference is that they want instant gratification. The young have been spoiled since day one. If at first, they don't succeed, they call Dad and ask them to cash-in on their trust-fund. Conversely, the mature professionals have spent their entire adult lives seeing the inside of a cubicle. They have had to work for every dime they have ever earned.
Since I am caught between these two generations, it should be obvious that I don't know on which side of the fence I sit. I can relate to both Generations. There are many of my peers who have coasted through life; who got everything they ever wanted; there are also those who have had to claw and fight for every single reward, like myself.
I am currently working three jobs so I can attain the standard of living that I expect. I often work 18 hour days from 8 in the morning to all hours of the night. It is not uncommon for me to work past midnight, in order for me to accomplish all I want to in a given day. Sleep is a luxury for me, as I often get less than six hours' rest per night.
There are times that I resent those who make salaries that greatly surpass mine, and who are younger than I. I feel like when I got dealt my hand of cards, I got a shitty deal. But I concur that one day, I will be able to live a less stressful life; one that includes quality time spent with my significant other, and with my children, when I decide to raise a family.
For all you young graduates out there: Piss off and wait your turn. Learn to slug it out in the trenches before you go crying to Daddy and rape his trust fund. You aren't as special as every teacher you ever had told you. Learn to keep a job.
For all you workaholics who are due to retire, take a good look at your life. Ask yourself if the life you had the last thirty years has been worth living. Can you remember much more than the four walls that surround you day in and day out? Does it amaze you how your children grew to adulthood so quickly? When was the last time you left your job early? Can the enjoyment you experience in your adult life be surmised in the annual two weeks you take for vacation? Do you even get two weeks' vacation in a given work year?
If you fall into the above category, do us all a favor and off-yourself, as it is clearly obvious that your life is completely miserable and without substance. At least the only thing the young punks got right is maintaining the quality of life that makes our lives worth living.
