Conclusion and Afterthought

Reflection:

            This course has really changed my life perspective. Before taking it, I never understood the challenges or even what plays into the aging process. I never understood what diversity meant. To be completely honest, I never thought gerontology is such an important issue in society. This course has definitely excelled and exceeded my expectations. It was after taking this course and writing this blog that I truly understood the introduction of Stoller’s Worlds of Difference., which states, “Gerontologists have long stressed the heterogeneity of the elderly population. People enter old age with an accumulation of experiences gained over six of seven decades, experiences that influence their attitudes, behaviors, and resources.” (Stoller, 1) This phrase really emphasizes the importance behind studying aging. It really captures the definition behind generational differences too. Each generation has own set of different experiences that set them apart from another.

            More importantly, this course as well as this blog has really taught me the idea of diversity. In my previous blog entries, I explored the diversity of generational differences for different genders, ethnic groups, and situations. It’s important for us to learn and appreciate that diversity surrounds us and that differences arise from diversity. To me, the end of this course signifies that diversity is actually a beautiful concept. It promotes creativity and a more well-rounded outlook.

An Interesting Find…

            It’s important to be knowledgeable about our own generation and our own characteristics. However, at the same time, it’s important to learn from our elders. A great article I found online called “8 Old-School Rules for Gen Y” outlines advices for our generation to follow. Here are some points I really liked:

“1. Wake up earlier. You may have had a schedule you set in college, but now the work world has its own schedule: Not only do you need to show up for it, but you need to be awake and highly functioning. Attendance is only graded in the negative; performance is what is graded in the positive.

2. Details matter. Grammar, spelling, dress, and communication form and structure all matter. “They know what I mean” shows sloppy work and sloppy thinking. In a world that moves faster and is more deeply connected, little missed details can lead to big mistakes.

3. Experience trumps education. Your degree is very important to you, your parents and your professors. But experience in the field is what matters in the real world. We are not as interested in your classwork as in your internship, your job, and your life, travel and personal experiences. Lead with your experience when contributing a point of view to have more credibility and impact.”

(Searcy, 2012)

I thought this was a great article that all of us in generation y can learn from. I only took a few excerpts from the article. Please read the rest at http://www.inc.com/tom-searcy/8-old-school-rules-for-gen-y.html

Last Concluding Thought:

            At the end of this blog entry and ultimately the end of this blog, I just want to again reiterate on the importance of the future for generation y. I really liked the quote Paul Taylor, executive VP of the Pew Research Center, stated, “We know the beginning of the story. But we don’t know the end of this story yet. The full life path of Generation Y has yet to unfold.” (“Generation lost: Millennials”, 2012).  As basically the face of the future, we, generation Y, has a bright path ahead!

1. Stoller, E. P., & Gibson, R. C. (2000). World of difference inequality in the aging experience. (3 ed.,). Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press.

2. Searcy, T. (2012, March 06). 8 old-school rules for gen y. Retrieved from http://www.inc.com/tom-searcy/8-old-school-rules-for-gen-y.html

3. Generation lost: Millennials come of age. (2012, April 12). Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/17/millennial-generation-lost-student-debt_n_1430930.html