Thirtysomething to Thirtynothing

[WilsonFourTwo]

I wasn't doted on and rarely received unwarranted praise, but was constantly told that I could do just about anything I set my mind to.

From early on I was taught that we all have strengths and weaknesses, and that to be successful, all I had to do was apply my strengths and avoid my weaknesses.

33 years in, this little slice of information has been proven correct more times than I could ever explain.

While this sounds a little cruel, I don't EVER tell my nieces that they're special. I will tell them that I love them or that they make me proud (both true), but I don't feel the need to lie to them unecessarily.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

I'm surprised someone who is 35 (the author of the article) considers themselves part of Generation Me, and not Gen-X. I'm in the same age bracket and can see big differences in attitudes, outlooks, and challenges between myself and younger co-workers who are 30 or under - while there are lots of similarities of course, I definitely wouldn't lump myself into their generation like the author is doing.

One thing that nobody seems to address in these articles is the impact of people having children later in life - it seems like it would be easier to spoil a kid, pave their way, and over-inflate their ego and expectations when you are firmly in your peak earning years, sitting on property and investments that are more fully matured, larger credit rating, etc. It's likely that Generation Me is growing up having seen their parents never struggle or outwardly work hard to make ends meet.

Fortunately, my kids will be spared the existential dilemma of being handed a BMW before they are 30... sigh...

I agree with you, but isn't that onus on the parents regardless of their financial situation. I am the product of a wealthy family and our Dad certainly could've bought us BMW's/Mercedes/etc.. for us at 16 and chose not to. Instead we worked to pay for our own cars and when we reached the age of 15-17 it became Dad pays for essentials (house, food, education, hockey equipment etc..) but if we want fancy clothes and phones etc, we pay ourselves.

Sometimes it didn't sit well with 17 year old me that I was driving my POS while friends had $30 000+ cars, but it gave me a sense of pride that what I had was MINE and earned by me. And now at 22 about to graduate and getting my foot in the door of my chosen industry, I look back at how my Dad treated us and I fully appreciate him teaching us the value of money. Spoiled, bratty kids are the result of them being treated that way by their parents. I have known many of them and seen many of them crash and burn when they realize that Daddy isn't paying for their crap anymore. So it IS fortunate that your kids will not be exposed to that type of thinking, as it is a disincetive to things for yourself.

And to your point about people having kids at older ages; It's true that this is happening, partially because it's not practical to get married, much less have kids, before your late 20's now. While most of our parents were getting married in their early 20's, because they could realistically support it at that age, but that isn't the case anymore. But arren't most parents in their prime earning years (35+) by the time their kids are old enough to understand the concept of money anyways. I mean even if they have a kid at age 20, theyre still into theyre mid-30's by the time theyre kids can be affected by that type of behaviour.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I think this can all be boiled down to bs new age parenting techniques which have produced bs new age young adults.

I know alot of the type of jacka$$ types that are described in the article that think their cat or dog is some magical creature that we should all bow down before its greatness. Or his or her condo is some magical palace of serenity now vegan garbage.

Yeah, damn these new-age hippies! If only they were more like the Baby Boomers were at that age...

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Yeah, damn these new-age hippies! If only they were more like the Baby Boomers were at that age...

That guy in the middle is a baby-boomer? Looks like he could have been Civil War era!

[Phanuthier]

Rich/Famous - I'm surprised nobody mentioned who did this study. UCSD. Look at the demographics. Are you shocked? I know a lot of people who came from UCLA, and they all fit the demographic.

I don't think its true for all cases. Granted my social groups are different (a lot of farmers, internationals, and local Americans) and I wouldn't say we are dissapointed or depressed. I know many people who are inspired, enjoy life, and a lot of can-do people. I'm mid-20's, I went to UofA out of high school, and now I work in California in the semiconductors industry. I don't put a lot into money, to me, money is irrelevent if you can get everything you want out of life, and my lifestyle isn't particularly glamourous or expensive. Like the article I posted earlier (last week?) I live well below my means, and I'm perfectly happy doing it. I'm pretty much what I want, where I want, and I admit I think people in my pay grade are paid too much. I love doing the hobbies I do, and wouldn't change it for anything else... if anything, I wish I had more time in a day and week to do more stuff I aspire to do.

People are people, whether they are one generation or another. It really depends on what your social groups are, and how you want to fit in. My parents keep wanting to get a BMW for instance, and I keep telling them whats the point other than some social status BS? A Corolla does the exact same job. Why is it that way, and not the other way around? Probably social settings. I live in a society where status doesn't come in a form of artificial means, and that what is valued is something different. My parents? Their friends all drive Benz and BMW... so.... they weren't like that a few years ago, when they drove normal boring Toyota's... but since they met this new group of friends...

[Azure]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

One outrageous expectation I find from upcoming university grads is that once they graduate, they'll have an awesome 70K/year job right away. I've gotten to know a few recruiters on a more personal level and they've all told me that many new, fresh graduates out of university, when asked what the minimum salary they would take is, answer with 60K... sadly, most of these people end up waiting for that job that will never come, until they adjust their expectations to something a little more realistic, which to them, when it happens, is quite shocking.

If you go work for Goldman Sachs right out of post secondary you can make a lot more than $70,000/year.

Of course, the fact that so many students are doing that is contributing to a lot of other problems.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Azure

If you go work for Goldman Sachs right out of post secondary you can make a lot more than $70,000/year.

Of course, the fact that so many students are doing that is contributing to a lot of other problems.

Yeah, I know Google is about 91k for new grads, Microsoft is 95k, Facebook I think is similar and Nvidia is 89k... Twitter is around there... and I'm told that I-Banks that recruit blow these 5 out of the water to try and recruit for jobs, and those that forgo I-Banking for those mentioned 5 or similar, are doing so because they quote want to make a different in the world end quote.

I've met a few I-Bankers, but never well enough to know how much they make exactly.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Azure

If you go work for Goldman Sachs right out of post secondary you can make a lot more than $70,000/year.

Of course, the fact that so many students are doing that is contributing to a lot of other problems.

Yeah, if you landed the role of the next spiderman you can make a lot lot more than 70K too. But is it realistic?

New grads throw around numbers like 70K, 100K like they are water. I'm not saying it is you but I find that a little disrespectful to the average people who struggle to make 30K to put food on the table.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Yeah, if you landed the role of the next spiderman you can make a lot lot more than 70K too. But is it realistic?

New grads throw around numbers like 70K, 100K like they are water. I'm not saying it is you but I find that a little disrespectful to the average people who struggle to make 30K to put food on the table.

Finance is generating the majority of new jobs in the US, so yes it has obviously become reality that you can make more than $70,000 coming out of post secondary.

I'm not agreeing with it. Just stating that it does exist, and is probably a big influence on those idiots that think they're actually worth that much.

No finance grad is worth that kind of money coming out of post secondary. The fact that the financial sector is paying that much points to a bigger problem at hand.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Yeah, I know Google is about 91k for new grads, Microsoft is 95k, Facebook I think is similar and Nvidia is 89k... Twitter is around there... and I'm told that I-Banks that recruit blow these 5 out of the water to try and recruit for jobs, and those that forgo I-Banking for those mentioned 5 or similar, are doing so because they quote want to make a different in the world end quote.

I've met a few I-Bankers, but never well enough to know how much they make exactly.

I don't think I have a problem with the tech industry paying that much to new employees. The industry is obviously worth a lot, and the demand for good talent is HUGE, so if someone wants to go that direction, good for them.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Article hits kind of close to home. And Firefly's/others testimony of her success with her BA doesn't exactly make me too enthusiatic for the future for myself when I graduate in 4 weeks.

Definately not where I pictured myself at 25 - but I also really haven't had asperations of being famous/rich - which is pretty disturbing to hear figures so amazingly high.

I should quote myself - since posting this, I grew the ##### up. Getting out into the professional world for the first time really changed my reality and I'm a much better and mature person for it.

I've come to the conclusion that it just takes us longer to achieve our goals and mature. Where my parents were when they were 20, I was 25.

I started on my career path shortly after I posted that and haven't looked back since. Just waiting for some old boomer fossil to retire, so I can start earning some real coin.

[Azure]

And I just realized that the OP was posted in 2007.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Azure

And I just realized that the OP was posted in 2007.

Which is even odder, because it makes the author firmly gen-x not a millenial or gen-me or whatever you want to call them.

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by Azure

And I just realized that the OP was posted in 2007.

Hehe see my post at #60.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Azure

Finance is generating the majority of new jobs in the US, so yes it has obviously become reality that you can make more than $70,000 coming out of post secondary.

I'm not agreeing with it. Just stating that it does exist, and is probably a big influence on those idiots that think they're actually worth that much.

No finance grad is worth that kind of money coming out of post secondary. The fact that the financial sector is paying that much points to a bigger problem at hand.

This is a huge problem in stifling innovation as well. A large number of highly educated people (lots of R&D experience, advanced degrees etc.) are jumping into the finance sector due to the nice salaries. I'm one of them at this moment, and I honestly have mixed feelings about my current situation. It was very nice however, when my salary tripled. I feel like I contribute nothing to society at the moment aside from paying more taxes though. I'm also in Calgary again, and our salaries are quite a bit lower than comparable positions in places like New York.

[FurnaceFace]

Yeah the author was born in 72 or 73. Pretty much prime Gen X territory (late 60s through late 70s). I'm in the 70s too...barely.

To some of the points discussed:

I grew up in "the rich end" of my hometown. I knew of one kid who got a Jaguar for his 16th birthday. Mostly though we shared cars with older siblings or with our mother.

Debt. I think Gen Xer parents were not frivolous spenders. I think most of us grew up in households where we lived comfortable but not extravagant lives. It also helped house priced weren't as out of whack as they are today...I think the house I grew up in was 20-30k in the late 60s which (I'm guessing) was likely no more that 1 year salary as opposed to the what... 6-10 years worth a house is now?

I do have friends who had crazy debt growing up and some who still do. Like pretty much all of us I applied for those 1st year university credit card offers and some people got sucked in hard to that trap. I knew people and know people today who just spend first and think later. I think I have more friends who spend more carefully or have taken care of their savings first and then spend what's left though.

I have said to many 20 somethings just graduating don't be in too much of a hurry to grow up. If you have waited tables or worked at Safeway through university and saved up some cash, there is no harm in going on a really long trip or heading off on an internship for a year where you'll get paid little. Don't feel obligated to take that O&G job if you are more interested in working for a not for profit for a year. Chances are that job will still be around or because of your experiences a better one will be.

Pay yourself first by putting some money aside every month. Pay down your debt as fast as you can (there is no more liberating feeling than not owing anyone anything). Make sure it's a balance though. Save some but also have fun while you can as you never know what life brings. I often think of a friend who was unfortunately hit by a car as he crossed the street. His life changed drastically at about 30 and he's unable to do or see many of the things I have been fortunate enough to.

As Robin Williams says in Dead Poet's Society, Carpe Diem, seize the day, and suck the marrow out of life.

[Jedi Ninja]

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet already, but there was an interesting article in this summer's The Atlantic magazine about how the Self Esteem movement is "ruining" kids.

See here: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/...-therapy/8555/

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Yeah, that surprised me as well. I've seen Gen Y defined as people born after 1980. I was born in 1979, so I feel like I'm between generations and don't closely identify with either Gen X or Gen Y. I have the cynicism commonly associated with Gen X, but I also grew up with computers and have the technical aptitude that Gen Y is most known for.

Within Gen Y, I think there are two distinct cohorts: those who were kids in the 80s and teens in the 90s/early-00s (e.g. those currently aged 25-30) , and those who were kids in the 90s and teens in the late-00s (those currently younger than 25). The latter group experienced the helicopter parent phenomenon much more than the former, and I feel like I have little in common with them.

Heh, we're brothers from a different mother! I was born in 79 as well, and feel similarly.

And as a lot have discussed, there are a lot of other factors behind behavior, drive, success, and a 'sense of entitlement'. Economic factors, social factors, upbringing, etc. I can defintely see how I have a few traits like the author said, but perhaps for different reasons. And not everything is on the nose or similar.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Jedi Ninja

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet already, but there was an interesting article in this summer's The Atlantic magazine about how the Self Esteem movement is "ruining" kids.

See here: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/...-therapy/8555/

That was pretty good, thanks.

Thinking too much about parenting could really easily drive one crazy. And so easy to do crazy crap without thinking.

Propably the weirdest thing I've ever gotten involved with.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

This is a huge problem in stifling innovation as well. A large number of highly educated people (lots of R&D experience, advanced degrees etc.) are jumping into the finance sector due to the nice salaries. I'm one of them at this moment, and I honestly have mixed feelings about my current situation. It was very nice however, when my salary tripled. I feel like I contribute nothing to society at the moment aside from paying more taxes though. I'm also in Calgary again, and our salaries are quite a bit lower than comparable positions in places like New York.

I wish the media would talk about this problem more openly. Stifling innovation is exactly what Goldman and JP Morgan Chase are doing.

We're talking about highly educated and VERY smart people coming out of post secondary and instantly getting $100,000/year to help Goldman carry out fraud.

These are the people that should be driving American innovation, and instead they're driving everything into the ground.

I think Canada is on a bit of a different scale. Because of our 'better' regulations, the finance industry isn't going haywire with taking risks, nor are they involved in the unregulated derivatives market like almost all the banks and finance companies in the US are.

Plus, I think the energy industry can compete salary wise with finance here in Canada, and especially in Alberta/Sask. For now our economy is still being driven by the actual production of a good that people want, and not a service that people are just being manipulated by.

Harsh, but hey....after 2008, I think its time for people to open up their eyes a bit more.