Generation Y As Described by Dr. Patricia Robbins

Toni Ortivez
The Paw Print

Last Wednesday evening Dr. Patricia Robbins presented her findings on Generation Y. Dr. Robbins provided information that characterized this generation along with ways to connect with those born into Generation Y.  Dr. Robbins’ lecture was the third lecture in the Adams State Faculty Lecture series and can be viewed online under the faculty lectures link on ASC’s homepage.

Dr. Robbins received her Ph.D. in education at Kennedy Western University and is in her second year at Adams State as the assistant professor of management. Prior to her time here at Adams State, she taught at a community college in which she could relate to non-traditional students. Before she began teaching at Adams State she wanted to find ways to relate to the younger generation and began her research on Generation Y.

Dr. Robbins’ speech entitled “Unlocking the Mysteries of Motivating Millenials” was aimed at educating older generations on ways to connect to and motivate the Millenials of Generation Y.  Dr. Robbins provided the audience with a timeframe of years classified under the Generation Y name which is an approximation of the years 1980 to 2000.

Robbins mentioned that there are many different ways in which Generation Y is broken down and it often consists of sub-generations. She said, “I’m going to be talking about those born between 1988 to 1991… and 1980 to 1987.” These years coincide with those entering college for the later years and the graduate schools or workforce for the earlier years. She also remarked, “Generation Y is considered the last generation born into the Twentieth Century.”

Since many of those born in Generation Y are the majority of students entering college classrooms, Dr. Robbins focused on ways to teach or challenge Millenials. She commented, “Some theorists believe they [Millenials] are not developing some of the social skills… we have this generation that is somewhat disadvantaged in that regard.”  Robbins encourages quizzes and projects that focus on the team-oriented and confidence skills of this generation.

Dr. Robbins informed the audience that Millenials have other distinct characteristics that define them as a generation. Some of these characteristics included feeling pressured, being conventional, feeling special, and others. These characteristics are drastically different than those of previous generations and are the cause of many misunderstandings. Dr. Robbins urged, “We have to reach out and find more motivating things for them.”

The audience was mixed in its reaction to the information provided, ranging from Millenials in the audience trying to explain some of the misunderstandings to members of older generations expressing their displeasure with the lack of respect from many Millenials. However, it was said that the use of acronyms, such as “brb” and “lol” is refreshing to see and that there are some things that Millenials understand and can explain to older generations, especially technology related.

The next faculty lecture at Adams State College will be March 24 at 7 p.m. in POR room 130. It will be given by Professor Roger Eriksen, associate professor of art, and will discuss the changing meanings of classical art pieces over the years. For more information regarding the Faculty Lectures contact Dr. Robert Astalos.