Sean P. Bender
Director – Center for Community &
Learning Partnerships @ Wentworth
Institute of Technology
Generation Y Volunteerism & Civic
Action Engaging Future Leaders &
Entrepreneurs
who are you?
why are you here?
who am I?
why am I here?
…assumptions
We know what they say about…
When was Gen Y born?
1969-1990
1979-1984
1989-2009
What percentage of the
world’s population is Gen
Y?
25%
35%
45%
What is another name for
Gen Y?
Baby Boomers
Me Generation
Boomerang Generation
Gen Y’ers want most to
be…
Safe and Secure
Rich and Famous
Have a meaningful
philosophy of life
Gen Y’ers
Comparison Shop
Like nice things
Pay a premium for
experience
Gen Y’ers
Have low brand/business loyalty
Are somewhat brand loyal, but
not business loyal
Evangelically loyal to favorite
brands and businesses
The biggest difference
between Gen Y and other
Generations?
Willingness to spend $$$
Grew up with the web
Cynacism
The preferred method of
communication among Gen
Y’ers is….
Instant Messenger
Mobile Device
Facebook/MySpace
True or False?
Gen Y’ers desire a sense of
place and belonging
True or False?
Gen Y’ers are heavily
swayed by advertising,
news, and “the media”
Other traits, features, facts, and
etc.
• Young workers born since about 1980, born of
Gen X parents
• Roughly 70 million Americans
• More Racially Diverse – 70% white – Less
homogeneous than parents
• They are not Kids – This is a coming of age
generation that is anxious to run the country
and leave its mark
Other traits, features, facts, and
etc.
• Strong Desire to be A Catalyst for
Change
• Internet, Cable, Globalization,
Environmentalism
• People Resemble Their Times More
Than Their Parents
• Keen to Status and Influence of Peers
Other traits, features, facts, and
etc.
• They want community – understood, accepted, respected and included, this includes peer-to-peernetworking• Self Esteem rests on how well they are regarded by their Social Group• Very Independent and want to run their own businesses – 44% of current MBA students want to be
“If we only have great companies we
will merely have a prosperous
society, not a great one. Economic
growth and power are the means,
not the definition of a great nation.”
~ Jim Collins
Their story is root of our success
An exciting new enterprise
Tactics
Why Eastern?, Why Willimantic?
“Success is not final, failure is not
fatal: it is the courage to continue
that counts.”
~ Winston Churchill
Websites
www.wit.edu/clp
www.urbanmechanics.org
www.SeanBender.com
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