Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Should the Workplace Adapt to the Millennial Generation?

Readers,


Last semester, I wrote a paper focused on college students' perceptions of work-life balance in their future professions. In this paper, the students stated their opinions regarding work-life balance and many of the students felt that their lives outside of work were more important than their life inside of the workplace. Research indicates that past generations (baby boomers, etc.) feel that their lives inside of the workplace were more important than life outside of the workplace.


Since an increasing number of millennials are currently working and/or preparing to enter the workplace, employers are starting to adapt their human resource policies to this new generation. Last year, one of the most widely read authors on the millennial generation, Dr. Neil Howe, released a book titled, "Millennials in the Workplace".




Although I have not had the pleasure of reading this book (I just added this book to my summer reading list), I strongly believe that this book would help organizational leaders and professors who teach human resources, communication, and sociology courses. 


I understand that some people do not believe that workplace environments should change their policies and procedures to adapt to the new population, but some workplaces are adopting flex-time polices to meet the needs of their millennial employees.




What do you think? Should employers adapt to this new generation? Should the millennial generation adapt to the workplace? Should the process involve both parties adapting to each other?


Sincerely,


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Monday, May 30, 2011

I Remember 9/11, Do Your Students?

Youth Service America


Readers,


In a prior post, "Life After September 11, 2001 - A Millennial's Perspective", I began my reflective journey spanning the past ten years. 


Today, Memorial Day, I think it is a very appropriate day to tell all of you about a great grant opportunity! The YSA's Youth Council and State Farm will support youth and educators across the United States to learn, remember, and honor the 10th anniversary of 9/11 through service projects.


Here's the link - 9/11 Service-Learning Grants


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Freebie Friday! - Free Sample of Avery Sticky Notes!


Readers,


Every morning and every evening, I follow three steps in my daily routine. Drinking six ounces of water from a BPA free container, checking personal and work e-mail on my iPad, and writing several "to do" items on a sticky note. Usually, I am very particular about the types of sticky notes that I choose to use, but lately I started to try something new, the Avery Sticky Note. I just requested a sample to add to my Avery Sticky Note pack. :) 


Request your sample here - LINK.


Thanks Desi Saving Mom (one of my former graduate assistants and current blog friend)!


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Life After September 11, 2001 - A Millennial's Perspective...

Readers,


On September 11, 2001, I was a sophomore at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. This day really changed the way that I have chosen to live my daily life. I love traveling and as a student from a small town, I dreamed of studying and traveling aboard. As a result of terrorism concerns and the invention of airport security levels, I have been very apprehensive in traveling beyond the borders of the United States. In fact, a few days ago, I tried to remember how airport travel functioned before September 11, 2001. I could not remember life without baggage scans, actually seeing loved ones upon walking through the airline gates of my destination, and taking large bottles of bottled water (and shampoo, etc.) in my rolling luggage.


One website that was launched slightly before the announcement of the death of Osama bin Laden is "Growing Up in the Shadow of 9/11" through the American University School of Communication. Professor Amy Eisman's Writing for Convergent Media class partners with Gannett's Content one to examine the millennial generation's perceptions of life after 9/11/2001. This would be a great research study! :)




Check out their website here - http://www.growingup9-11.com/


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.