#21 Response to Colleagues

      I had never really given the millennial generation much thought before the start of this class. I have often read about the baby boomer generation, probably because they are the writers of the periodicals that I read most often. After reviewing the assigned readings, I would have to say that millennials have been saddled with an image that is a bit unwarranted. As Ashley Peek states in her blog, "[They] always seem to neglect what millennials bring to the workforce. Because millennials have seen so much take place in altering the economy, we now have the ability to adapt to change, technologically savvy, and are poised to unleash innovation." Enough about what millennials supposedly cannot do, give us some room to show you what we can do!
      As I became educated about my generation, I realized that I'm not the only one who may have plans to travel during my future career. Konrad and Mugglestone explain in The Future of Millennial Jobs, "Young people are also less attached to location -a quarter of those aged 20 to 29 moved between 2011 and 2012, more than double the national average of 12 percent. In a world with nearly instant communication and digital collaboration --geographic location matters less and less" (10). It appears that Hayleigh Blair also has that in mind as well, as she blogs, "this is a good thing for me because I love the idea of traveling and meeting new people and it is one of my goals for the future to travel and do something I love." It's fascinating to know that their are careers that will pay you well, and allow you the freedom of travel. I guess that's another benefit of being in the millennial generation.





                                                            Works Cited

Allison, Tom and Konrad Mugglestone. “The Future of Millennial Jobs.” Young Invincibles. 20 January 2015. P.13. web.

Blair, Hayleigh. " Post#19: Selected Profession." Hayleigh's First Blog. n.p. 18 July 2016. Web. 23 July 2016

Peek, Ashley. "Post #20: Millennial in the Workplace." Peek-A-Boo Corner. n.p. 21 July 2016. Web. 23 July 2016

#20 Millennials in the Work Place

     I have learned quite a bit about the millennial generation over the last few weeks. For one thing, I never realized how many millennials were affected by the Great Recession. Konrad and Mugglestone report in The Future of Millennial Jobs, "One out of every four employed 18 to 34-year-olds is working only a part-time position, as opposed to one in six adults over 34 years old. Furthermore, employers have shifted towards hiring more part-time and temporary workers in lieu of investing in full-time employees" (5). I thank my lucky stars that I have been fortunate enough to have had steady employment throughout the last decade.
     I have often been called a workaholic by family members, so it did not surprise me to see Konrad and Mugglestone stating that, "millennial workers appreciate a healthy work-life balance, often over increased compensation and faster advancement" (10). I believe the millennial generation has been witness to over-worked, under-appreciated parents and seek a different lifestyle for themselves. Of course, I seek the same for myself in the future...

Works Cited

Allison, Tom and Konrad Mugglestone. “The Future of Millennial Jobs.” Young Invincibles. 20 January 2015. P.13. web. <http://younginvincibles.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/FUTURE-OF-MILLENNIAL-JOBS-1.20.2015.pdf>

#19 Did I choose the right career?

      I believe that I have made a good choice for my major and future career as a registered nurse. If I wasn't sure before this coarse, I am now! In the Occupational Outlook Handbook, issued by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics it is stated that, "Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations." This makes me confident that there will be jobs available in my field upon graduation. The handbook also states, "Registered nurses are the largest healthcare occupation. They work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities. Others work in schools or outpatient clinics, or serve in the military. Home health and public health nurses travel to patients’ homes, schools, community centers, and other sites." So, I know that I can find a job in an environment that suits my, and my family's needs. Even if I were to remain at a hospital, there are several departments to work in. For instance, there are: labor and delivery, emergency department, medical/surgical, and cardiovascular just to name a few.
       I also know that there is room to grow in this field. After I get my associates degree, a bachelor's degree is just 9 months of on-line classes away. I can continue my education, and proceed all the was up to the level of a master's degree and become a nurse practitioner, which has a median wage of $104,740 annually, according to the BLS. However, should I choose to put that on hold, I can always become a travel nurse after working for a few years in a hospital setting, and explore the country.
      As I sit here and continue to dream of my future, and all the good things to come, I have one question for myself. Why haven't I returned to school sooner?

Works Cited

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Occupational Outlook Handbook,” 2016-17 Edition, Registered Nurses,

    on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (visited July 12, 2016).

#15 Responding to Colleagues

     This week in class we discussed the way we are taught, and how learning should be adjusted to adapt the world around us. It seems that many believe that the solution is to have more access to technology for more people. Courtney Hall stated, "In today's world, technology holds the key to everything. I can't think of any job that doesn't require some sort of technology whether it computers, machines, or in some cases, robotics." Even farming now requires the use of more advanced machinery and even GPS systems in some tractors to be certain that a field is planted correctly for optimal profit. Our educational system needs to be updated to educate the youth with know how for the future.
     We have also discussed Brexit and it's affect on Britain's millennials. It looks like the majority of the class agrees that if the younger crowd would have participated more, the outcome may have been more in their favor. As Joseph Slappey wrote, "How can they be mad if only a small percentage of them actually gave their opinion? If you didn't vote, then you have no right to be mad about the outcome of the decision." So know we all know what we should do during the upcoming election: VOTE!

#14 Are Brittish Millenials to Blame For Brexit?

        Should Britain's millennials be angry about the vote to leave the European Union? I have read several articles that debate both sides. I have come to this conclusion: Britain's millennials have no one to blame but themselves. As Indira Lakshmanan says in the article Millennials, Brexit is your wakeup call, "The margin between Leave and Remain was 1.27 million votes, and if all 13 million British millennials voted, they could have changed the outcome." If you don't show up and actively vote, you are to blame.
       Had I been a Remain voting millennial in the United Kingdom on the day of the Brexit, I would have been upset and scared. As Ivana Kottasova wrote in British Millennials: You've Stolen our Future, "Many younger voters are worried the referendum could have the same impact as the last crisis. The gloomiest forecasts said Brexit could cost the country up to 820,000 jobs, and some youngsters are worried they'll be the most impacted group." I would have also been very angry with anyone who had expressed the desire to vote Remain, yet had not actually gone out and voted.
        A lot of younger people claimed that they did not understand the referendum, and therefore chose to let the majority decide. I live in the United states. I found articles online that dated back to last year, discussing the pro's and cons of the UK leaving the European Union. Education is but an answer away, you must first ask the question.
       Unfortunately, this generation does not show to value their right to vote as much as past generations have. If you have ever said that you have the "right" to something, remember that there was more than likely a vote taken to grant you that right. Women in the United States were given the right to vote in 1920, and it was not a unanimous vote to allow that to happen. An idea can be right or wrong, but because we have the freedom of democracy, the masses will declare if it becomes written into law.
       I believe that our society is to blame for this lack of involvement. I have never heard someone say, " I can't wait until I'm old enough to vote!" However, I have overheard, "I'm almost 21, I will be allowed to drink legally!" As parents, teachers, preachers, and civic minded members of the community, we need to encourage millennials in America to make informed decisions, and to vote in every election.

#13 21st Century Education

      Are schools in America keeping up with the needs of students in the new Millennium? Our schools, for the most part, are still teaching the same way that they have been for the last several decades. While reading, math, science, and social studies are important, I believe students would benefit from a more hands on approach. A question is asked in Allison and Mugglestone's report The Future of Millennial Jobs, "what should people be taught when they can access all human knowledge all the time?" I would begin by educating children from a young age on how to access this information, and how to determine if a source is trustworthy or not. Once our youth is exposed to the internet as an information source for learning, rather than entertainment, they may utilize it as such.
      Their report also states:
                   "Multiple-choice standardized tests rely on a student reproducing content or stock knowledge. In post-secondary education, many exams are conducted through in-class essays, drawing from material facts covered in the course. This is a classic test of knowledge stocks, and will not have the same utility in the future of knowledge flows and access."
        I haven't met a parent yet that is happy with the standardized testing required by the school system. It seems that the whole school year is aimed at doing well on those tests, which also unfairly grades our teachers based on the children's scores. Unfortunately, a lot of what students are learning will not be used past high school. I've been in the workforce for 15+ years and have not used an algebraic equation one time. I'm not saying that algebra is never used, but why weren't we taught to balance a checkbook or do our taxes? Our schools have also gotten rid of a lot of vocational programs, which could be helping some students begin careers as soon as they graduate. An article by Hagel, Brown and Davison titled Abandon Stock, Embrace Flows, explains it this way:
                       "To keep it simple, think of tacit knowledge as the “know how” rather than the “know what.” Imagine trying to perform brain surgery after having read all the books you can find on the subject. The books are the explicit knowledge telling you what to do but knowing how to perform this kind of surgery critically depends on an extended apprenticeship process in which tacit knowledge gets communicated through observation and then by participating on the periphery of these operations. Accessing this kind of knowledge typically requires long-term trust-based relationships. And, in times of rapid change, tacit knowledge becomes increasingly valuable: because it’s the newest knowledge, it’s the most helpful in dealing with the latest changes in a fast-moving business landscape."
          We, as a nation, need to adapt and flow with the new Millennium and learn how to better teach our youth to succeed in the future.

#12 This week in class...

      So far, in our English 1101 class, we have discussed what we want to be when we grow up, why we want to be that, and if we can actually procure gainful employment once we graduate. Seems to me that most of us did a little research before starting school, and will be hard at work in our new professions soon after receiving our degree.
      "I just see the advancements in technology making things easier and accurate for my field," Tierra Mercer blogged earlier this week. As I have researched my field, I have read quite a few articles that point to increased technology improving the daily duties of the nurse as well. Portable diagnosis machines, such as MRI's and national data banks for research are already helping doctors and nurses exponentially more than just a few decades ago. Ruby Mercer stated, "science has a lot do with the medical field -I am not surprise to see medical jobs on the list of millennial jobs." I too believe that any career in the STEM fields is a safe bet for your future.