What is the best thing Generation Y can do to succeed?

[SkySpark]

I've wondered about this question for some time, being that I am part of it. Generation Y are the people born between about 1980 and 2000. Most of them are college-going or finished college, have large amounts of debt, low paying jobs, little savings, and financial connections to their parents or caretakers. A lot of them tend to be liberal, voted for Democrats at least once, and own lots of electronic items such as iPhones, iPods, etc. They are more technically savvy than their predecessors, and are the fundamental crowd behind the Facebook phenomenon, as many of them were its first uptakers of its technology. They believe in Twitter, social networking, and somewhat of the $50,000 job and owning a nice car at age 25. Few own homes, and many work menial labor. Most wish simply to be autonomous and not live with their parents. They wish to be free of their debts, and few wish to undertake trades or the military.

With the college debt comes a lot of responsibility. Many believed that any college degree would gain them the entry to the middle class, and almost all realized their sheepskin would not get them anything but no marketable skills. Other generations, especially Generation X, blame Y's overwhelming vote for President Barack Obama as being at fault for their failures.

However, the blame is not all on them. Thanks to a declining economy, a quickly dissolving Social Security pool, baby boomers who have lost a lot of their money in the stock market crash, and companies' unwillingness to use apprenticeships or paid internships to train and rather saddling colleges with the task, many are ill prepared for the workforce, and thus, the belief that many are "Generation Why Bother" or "The Entitlement Generation".

Now, given this description, what do you think would be the best way for a person who is in their teens or twenties to succeed? What did you tell your kids that set them apart? For example, a certain profession? Doing what you are best at? Creating a unique work ethic? What are the traits Generation Y tends to lack by design that would make them more marketable as a whole?

And besides that, are there intangibles the generation lacks besides in the business world? Do you think it is hard for a person of Y to innovate and be successful? Are they politically active enough? Do they have firm beliefs? Is all that technology a distraction or can it be used to their advantage?

Finally, is there any room for all of the college graduates? Should there be a wholesale flock to the trades when the college bubble seemingly bursts? Should college debt to the government be grounds for conscription?

You don't have to answer these in any particular fashion, but they are simply to stimulate your mind and get you thinking. I'll pick the best answer because I am curious to see what I can do with my life as a college graduate and being 26 and not really using my knowledge that well.

[teeny-tinyvolleyball254]

I saw your question and I gave up hope on this generation because you do not know how to spell...

[whisperingpatch695]

Just to be clear I was born in 1980 and have always been told I am part of generation X not Y.

I think the best way for a person to succeed in this day and age is to be aware of the current political and social climate. Make decisions based on what is best for you with the knowledge you have.

I am also a mom. I am raising my son with the understanding there isn't a one-size fits all approach to life. I also believe our education system is horribly broken. This idea of give each child the exact same education and prepare them for college is BS. We need a track based system. If Johnny is meant to be an auto mechanic requiring him to take art history classes in high school is a waste of time. I also understand this problem will never be fixed in our country because of terms like equality and discrimination. I would rather see Johnny become a successful auto mechanic than drop out of high school because of a D or F in art history then end up in lowing paying jobs and even possibly in jail.

I laughed at your lack of interest in the business world comment. I started my first business at twenty with two other people my age. I spent over a decade self employed and only recently about a year ago gave it up. My husband and I had some opportunities that presented themselves that made not being self employed become very appealing for the first time ever. Had we not been self employed over the last decade those opportunities would not have presented themselves.

I personally am politically active but I wish I had more time to devote to politics. I will not vote for a lawyer or baby boomer. I realize they don't give a lick of poo about my generation. The only exception was I did vote for Marco Rubio, no regrets.

Technology is an advantage. It is the biggest advantage my generation has over the boomer generation. I expect as they leave the workforce for it to play an even bigger role.

There is room for some college graduates. Women's studies or Art History not so much. We need to stop giving work visas out in areas like nursing to those overseas. American college graduates should get first pick at those jobs. I went to college and have no debt. Neither of my parents contributed one penny. I worked a full time job and paid for school myself. My husband had six thousand dollars of student loan debt when we got married which we quickly paid off.

My best advice to Generation Y is don't pop out kids before you get your life in order. Every child deserves a stable home and two loving parents. If you don't want kids that's fine too. I was married three years and with my significant other for five years before starting a family. We made it a priority to establish ourselves before taking the plunge into parenthood. It's the best decision I ever made.