In yesterday's Boston Globe, an interesting article by Penelope Trunk covered a trend that's becoming increasingly popular in these trying economic times: job hopping. Simply titled "Job hopping an option for young people" (read the full article here), Trunk tries to make the case for the belief that the best thing a millennial can do early in his career is to move around -- a lot -- so he can figure out what he's good at and what he likes.As a Gen X'er, I'm not that far removed from the 20-somethings who have just begun their careers or are about to graduate and enter the workforce. I don't know about you, but this advice seems pretty backwards when compared to what my college career counselors preached. And it's certainly the opposite of what my parents drilled into me when I was first starting out.
Trunk thinks that companies get more passionate work out of people who are in their first two years, vs. those who have been there a while (i.e., those who have grown complacent) and plan to stay longer. I can understand that argument, even with the employer examples she cites, but I'm still not sold on the idea.
Do you think job hopping is a good idea for people who are just beginning their careers? Do people who hop build their network faster, build their skill set faster and become more engaged in their work -- ultimately making them more desirable?
Food for thought.
Photo by myriorama
4 comments:
Mark:
That's the challenge with generational differences. As Gen X'ers we view what millenials are doing as wrong. Or maybe we view them as something we wish we had done ourselves but was taboo when we were that age.
The challenge for the millenials is that job hopping isn't viewed positively by many of us who will be hiring them. A frustration for the older generations is that we (bommers and matures included here) seem to have to bear the burden of accomodating the younger generation. If the millenials had a clue that they were acting differently than us, perhaps we could more easily find some common ground.
Now, to the key issue - the job hopping. That generation wants to check things out before they settle in (as I understand it, that's not just jobs, but relationships, housing, etc.). There is something colleges and universities can do to help them "try it before they but it" so they are experimenting before they enter the job market, and not after.
Thanks for the comments, Jerry. For me personally, it's a combination of "they're doing it wrong!" and "I wish I did that!"
There's a related New York Times article that was published last week addressing the disconnect between Gen Y and "reality" when it comes to working and careers.
Check it out:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/fashion/17WORK.html?ex=1366171200&en=ef43c9ceb4dba41e&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
I guess that I would consider myself a Gen Y (I am 25 years old). I graduated in May of 2006 with a Marketing degree. Just considering myself and my current situation, I'm not trying to job hop but find a company that values my creativity and innovative thoughts. I am on my second job since I have graduated. I did an internship during my last semester at St. Jude's and I was with my last company for a year and a half. I have been with my current company for 9 months and of course looking once more.
Corporations are begining not to care about their employees and look at them as commodities. We are just a tool to help them make money and succeed. If I found a company that valued their employees and not dictate their every move, then I would consider staying with a company for a very long time. I believe that loyalty is one of the biggest reasons why the Gen Y'ers job hop. Also, many baby boomers and Gen X'ers are intimidated by our knowledge. College has changed due to the technology and the students are coming out smarter than ever.
We are a generation that wants to be valued and appreciated for our knowledge and in my opinion until we find that, the job hopping continues.
Thanks for offering your insight, anonymous. Your viewpoint comes off as cynical (i.e., employees are just commodoties), but with that said it's something I've heard and seen before. It really depends on your experience. I once felt that way several years back while working for a large public company -- like my livelihood didn't matter; only the shareholders needed to be pleased.
And on a side note, remember: knowledge is not wisdom!
Thanks again for commenting.
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