Grown Up Digital Pt 2

From the second part of the book, the author used his eight points of what he thinks defines the net generation and applies it to what sort of work this generation will try to get to and feel about what they’re doing. The eight criteria lined up were freedom, customizing, scrutiny, integrity, collaborate, entertainment, speed, and innovation. During the class discussion and reflecting on my life styles I can agree with these criteria and see how observant the author is of this time period.

Following the criteria and work standards wanted by the net generation begins with freedom of flexible hours and location; before the hours were generally 9 to 5 and in an office. Now this generation have the opportunity to work where they want and when, although this approach is not for all; usually for those who are self driven. Next is customizing their work situation; this generation would rather be managed under a group than one singular person telling everyone else what to do. Sure there is one boss generally of the company or work place but there are other committees than have control over others. Similar to choosing some college courses, this generation scrutinizes the work situation they might encounter before taking a job offer. They want to make sure they aren’t making a mistake going to work for the wrong people if there is someone with better perks out there.

Along with scrutiny, this generation looks for integrity of the business or company to be well known, good appearance, and good perks for working. Some of the big companies in this state are Microsoft, Boeing, and Amazon, which can look very well to someone who is asking where you work at. Having worked at a high level business gives you the integrity for others to listen to you because you have made it to that point in the work force. In these businesses, collaboration is wanted so that achievement can be accomplished through others instead of a huge workload accomplished by you. Working with others generally has a wider variety of ideas to figure out a problem and brainstorm to fix basically anything. Depending on the project it can help or hurt to work with others on a project (ex: design and marketing campaigns).

With new freedom in the workplace this generation wanted to have part of their time working also to be entertaining; there has become a fine line between working and entertainment. When most think of this (well probably me) is with Google, where they can play games, have massages, etc right in their workplace (said to push innovation), but when does that become too much? The speed of communication between companies has to be up to date almost immediately. People will now become upset with you if you do not respond quick enough to something; similarly keep up speed for feedback and turnaround time for projects. And lastly, innovation is key for the future and all of these put together can create more solutions for problems we are facing now and prepare for the future.