The Trophy Kids,

Contributed By Robin Benjamin, Buyer Specialist of Sue Adler Team

Mom and dad, get ready.  You're about to be blamed for something else. 

The Millennial Generation.  (Where did generations X,Y and Z go?)

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, "The Trophy Kids Grow Up:  How the Millennial Generation Is Shaking Up the Workplace," kids born between 1980 and 2001 are entering the job market and causing all sorts of problems.

"Blame it on doting parents, teachers and coaches," the article states. "The Millennial's were raised with so much affirmation and positive reinforcement that they come into the workplace needy for more."

In our community of Millburn /Short Hills that can't be true.  Can it? 

As a mom who has lived here for 30 years, I know many kids who give back to the community, and whose hard work and balanced egos helped Millburn High School gain its #1 ranking in the recent September issue of NJ Monthly.  

Ok, ok.  Maybe on "one or two" occasions we hovered too much, and even gave them a trophy when they came in last.  But according to a posting by Sue Shellenbarger, "Helicopter Parents: Beneficial or Detrimental?" we're not the only guilty ones.  Apparently a number of historic well-known Presidents had parents who were worse than us.

So, there's still hope.  And who knows?  One of our Millburn/Short Hills kids may even be President some day, and we hovering "helicopter" moms might even get a little credit for getting them there. 

If not, they still get a trophy, right?

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB122455219391652725-lMyQjAxMDI4MjI0MTUyNTEyWj.html 

 PS. Thanks to Robin Benjamin or The Sue Adler Team, one of my team members, for writing this!

Robin Benjamin
Accredited Buyers Representative 
Sue Adler Team 
Keller Williams Premier Properties
of Essex, Union & Morris Counties

973-202-7270 cell  
973-532-0217 e-fax 
Robin@SueAdler.com 
www.SueAdler.com
20 minutes to an hour from NYC! 

 
Post is included in group: Almost Anything Goes
Post is included in group: Keller Williams 'Rainers

7 Comments on Wall Street Journal article on "The Trophy Kids Go to Work" - Absolutely fascinating article that I'd love your opinions on.

OCT
21
2008

Hi Sue,

I read most of the article...not sure how to comment. I must say agree with your comment. I also have a teenager that will starting his first job soon.

Best wishes to you!

Joyce Logan, Realtor, Real Living HER, Westerville, Ohio

7:15pm • #1
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Evening Sue,  Well, these are the next generation of workers.  Still, they need to mature past the coddling environment and " Everybody is a winner ! " attitude.  If you overlay your post with the current economic crisis the challenge gets even more scary !

7:22pm • #2
588,612 Points 34 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

16 and 18 and they aren't in the workforce?  'sup with that?  I started working at 15... and I think it was actually good for me.  Luckily, I had a boss that didn't believe in coddling or everyone is a winner...   He believed in people holding up their end of the bargain. 

7:54pm • #3
Outside Blog

Ha ha. They're in school/college. My older one gives part time art lessons to elem school age kids ($30/hr or $40/hr for 2 kids- not too bad!) but that's alot different than the actual "work force". I statred at 15 also and my work ethic was always really strong. I do think that my kids are way better students than I ever was but I don't see the fire in their belly to make money like I had when I was their age.

8:00pm • #4
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Sue,  I think this is' much about nothing' when I started in the work force many years ago, I was competing with the local tallent or the few transplants that were willing to relocate. We as a Society in the 70's were not a Global Society.

Today employees can sellect the best and brightest from all over the world. I believe if you as a parent can instill a Value System, Character, Respect and Manners into your children from a young age. Then they and you both succeeded. BTW the person who wrote that article could have cut a lot of words out.He must be getting paid per word:)))

8:03pm • #5

Sue:

 

Thanks for sharing the article - it was very informative. It does give one a thought on how to approach these millenials and what works best when working with them. When they grow up they will be much better workers. If their success is limited in this current job market they may have to change their tune and produce whether they like it or not because they maybe eliminated.

8:10pm • #6

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Sue Adler- www.SueAdlerTeam.com

Short Hills, NJ

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Keller Williams of Essex, Union & Morris Counties

Office Phone: (908) 273-2991 x 101

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Market updates & home buying and selling advice for real estate in our awesome NJ towns. Expert advice from Sue Adler, the #1 Keller Williams Agent in New Jersey for 2005 through 2008 Sue Adler Team Blog: www.NJExperts.com


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