Guide Note

Born between 1982 and 1997, Generation Y has received much news coverage in recent years for being the largest generation since the Baby Boomers and the first generation to grow up with the Internet. Gen Yers have been both highly praised as confident, optimistic, and pragmatic as well as called narcissistic, lazy, and in need of constant praise. They are coming of age and entering the world of work at the same time the Baby Boomers are preparing to retire, creating tensions as well as opportunities for change.

Fast Facts

1. Born: 1982-1997
2. Three times larger than Generation X
3. 20% of the U.S. population
4. 1/4 grew up in single parent households
5. 3/4 grew up in households where both parents work
6. More than 90% have a home computer, half with Internet access
7. 94% have a cell phone
8. 60% own an MP3 player or other portable digital music/video device

Generation Y are mostly children of Baby Boomers, although some were parented by older Generation Xers and Generation Jones (the generation born between 1954-1964). They number over 70 million, three times the number of Generation X, and they are more ethnically diverse than previous American generations: about 1/3 are non Caucasians. They are also the most educated generation in American history, with more than 60% attending college.

• "They're like Generation X on steroids. They walk in with high expectations for themselves, their employer, their boss. If you thought you saw a clash when Generation X came into the workplace, that was the fake punch. The haymaker is coming now."—Bruce Tulgan of RainmakerThinking

• "Those in Gen Y grew up around computers, the Internet, mobile phones, video games, and mp3 players. They are web savvy multitaskers, able watch TV, surf the web, listen to music, and talk or text on their phones, often performing several of these things at the same time."—Sarah Perez

• "More than half of Generation Y's new graduates move back to their parents' homes after collecting their degrees, and that cushion of support gives them the time to pick the job they really want."—Time Magazine

• "They were raised by doting parents who told them they are special, played in little leagues with no winners or losers, or all winners. They are laden with trophies just for participating and they think your business-as-usual ethic is for the birds."—CBS 60 Minutes