We’ve been enjoying a lot of great discussion regarding my blog about Gen Y. So much so that I’m going to stick with the topic awhile longer.
Here are some facts:
Generation Y, also known as the Millennial Generation (or Millennials),Generation Next, Net Generation, Echo Boomers, generally includes people born in the 1980s and early 1990s. -Wikipedia
Gen-Y will form 75% of the workforce by 2025, and are actively shaping corporate culture and expectations. -The Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation
Gen-Y is a very entrepreneurial generation. -Millennial Branding
The travel and hospitality industry hires the most Gen-Y candidates now because young people are having trouble getting internships and jobs. Most of them are hired as bartenders or wait staff -Millennial Branding
This generation is having a rough time out there in today’s job market. Every now and then I’ll place an anonymous ad on a job board just to see what shakes out. The last time I did this we were inundated with resumes, some of which were apparently sent off in desperation because they didn’t even remotely approach the requirements in the ad. It was quite an eye-opener to see so many people, some with very good qualifications, throwing their resumes at everything hoping they might stick to something.
As Rich Smith, the Motley Fool, says in his article “Welcome to the New Normal, Generation Y: Get Used to It” “A job is a job – even if it’s not your dream job.” He goes on to say that “low-wage, low-prestige” jobs, including those in hospitality such as waitressing, bartending, housekeeping and the like, are not only “steps on the economic ladder,” but also jobs that “can’t be outsourced to China.” This is a very good piece of advice.
These are starting positions from which careers may grow. It is possible that the Gen Y college graduates that have to wait tables for a living, discover that they have previously unknown talents for managing restaurants or managing people. Or the “lowly” front desk clerk finds he has a knack for sales, organization and customer service and winds up the youngest General Manager in Hyatt Hotel history – like I did.
Smart words from a smart guy. successful careers, like fine wine, take time, and it’s great advice to just get started. The hospitality industry is full of great stories of people starting at the bottom and rising successfully through the ranks. This is what young people need to hear and learn. Thanks.
I love what you have written in your recent blog about entry-level hospitality positions being a window to a long-term career for Gen Y. In my opinion, to be successful in this global economy the hospitality and tourism industry has to remain on the cutting edge of technology; one of the strengths of this generation. Over the last several years we have seen tremendous growth in positions looking for a skill-set in social media, marketing and/or information technology.
Hospitality is also a very creative industry. Food and beverage to hotel operations has to be ahead of the game with the hottest in food, wine, hotel design and technology. It is also a global business making diversity of thought very important. With most hospitality chains being global this gives Gen Y the opportunity to work their way up the ladder at various properties without having to change corporations. I’m Gen X and have been with my company going on 22 years but have held 8 different positions, in essence changing jobs every 2.75 years! I started in an entry-level at the front desk and am now a division vice president.
I believe this generation has a great future in hospitality. My advice is to research the various hospitality companies out there and find one with a robust internal promotion program. Take that entry-level position; learn the various types of careers within the business to determine the best fit is for you and grow from there.