Early Results of 'Gen Y' Study Unveiled

Industry Experts to Discuss Generational Divide in the Workplace

December 2, 2008 :: No. 099

What:

Cal State Fullerton’s Career Center next week will share results of the first phase of its “Gen Y Perceptions Study.” The research effort addresses Generation Y (born between 1978 and 1995) members’ perceptions of themselves in the workplace, in comparison to how older professionals and managers view them. A panel of industry experts will discuss “Navigating the Generational Divide: From Benchmarking to Best Practices.”

When/Where:

3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8
O’Brien Innovation Center, Room 3230 of Mihaylo Hall
Cal State Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton

Who:

Cal State Fullerton President Milton A. Gordon will give welcoming remarks. Panelists are Beth Boulet, senior vice president of audit for Amedisys (provider of home health care and hospice services); Jennifer Cabalquinto, vice president and CFO of Universal Studios Hollywood; Jim Case, director of the university’s Career Center; and Vu Pham, partner of Spectrum Knowledge, a Southern California-based research and training firm that works with corporations on workforce issues.

Why:

The study’s focus is to examine issues and perceptions between young college graduates in the workplace and that of older generations, including baby boomers (born before 1964) and Generation X (born between 1964 and 1978). In today’s workplace, intergenerational differences and tensions continue to increase, said Case. These tensions can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings and result in motivation, productivity and employee turnover issues, which affect the bottom line of a company.

“Often, companies face challenges with recruitment, retention and management of young professionals,” Case said. “We’re hoping that through this research, we can bridge the generational differences in order to effectively meet the needs of young employees and their organizations.”

Background:

The study is being conducted by the Center for Research on Employment and the Workforce, operated by the Career Center, in partnership with Spectrum Knowledge.

The university’s Career Center launched the center to help both Cal State Fullerton graduates and organizations — including corporations and government and nonprofit agencies — better understand and respond to generational differences and other related issues, such as diversity in the workplace. Under the new center, the “Young Emerging Professionals Initiative” was launched and includes several projects, including the Gen Y Perceptions Study. The study is ongoing with further results to be released in the spring.

“In our conversations with both recruiters and young alumni, this generational divide is a recurring theme,” Case said. “Young professionals and organizations are vulnerable if they neglect to understand and respond to contrasting expectations among the generations. We want to better prepare our graduates for the workplace and to be successful in multigeneration work environments. We are convinced that organizations can create a strategic advantage for themselves by responding creatively to these challenges.”

Study:

Results are available for download at http://campusapps2.fullerton.edu/career/pdf/Gen_Y.pdf

Media Contacts:
Jim Case, , 657-278-2499 or jcase@fullerton.edu
Debra Cano Ramos, Public Affairs, 657-278-4027 or dcanoramos@fullerton.edu

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