As the world rapidly changes and progresses, so do the challenges and experiences of each generation. Recently on an online platform, people have shared some of the frustrating and often absurd advice and comments millennials have received from older generations throughout their lives. These comments highlight generational differences in values and perspectives, from job-hunting to relationships.
1. Luck vs. Hard Work: The Frustration of Graduate Students
A former student recently recounted a frustrating experience during their master's program. They had attended a guest lecture by a former CEO who claimed that success in the workplace was based purely on luck, not hard work or qualifications. This left the graduate students feeling demoralized and disillusioned, as they had worked hard to get where they were and now felt as though their efforts were for naught.
2. Participation Trophies: A Generational Debate
A young adult recently conversed with their father about participation trophies, which resulted in a heated debate. The father, a member of the baby boomer generation, criticized the trophies, but the young adult pointed out that the boomers had invented them in the first place. The father's response was to accuse millennials of always blaming others for their shortcomings, leaving the young adult frustrated and unheard of.
3. Job Searching: Outdated Advice vs. Modern Reality
Once upon a time, a millennial searched for a job during high school and turned to their grandmother for advice. Their grandmother advised them to go to various establishments and fill out job applications, insisting that the internet was useless for job searching. Unfortunately, this advice needed to be updated and more helpful, as nearly every place they checked for a job had an internet-based application system. The millennial was frustrated and wished they had gone with their gut and used the internet instead.
4. Bad Advice at Work: The Irony of “Suck It Up”
A person recently shared their experience of receiving what they consider to be bad advice from their father while working their first retail job. Their father would tell them to “suck it up” whenever they complained about difficult customers or coworkers, claiming that it built character. However, the person later discovered that their father had lost his job and struggled to find new employment due to his lack of qualifications. The person now sees the irony in their father's advice and wishes they had taken a different approach.
5. Babies and Money: Questionable Parental Advice
One recently received questionable advice from their mother, who claimed that “babies just need love, not money.” While the sentiment behind this advice is appreciated, the individual realizes that financial stability is crucial today, especially when raising a child. They wish their mother had given them more practical advice on achieving this stability.
6. Trusting Your Instincts: Pursuing a Career in Computer Science
During their college years, this user had numerous people advise them against pursuing a degree in computer science, suggesting instead that they opt for other engineering fields. Despite this advice, the user chose to study computer science and is glad they followed their instincts. They currently enjoy a high-paying job in the field and question why they would have taken advice on entering a high-tech field from people with no expertise.
7. Reproductive Abilities: Appalling Relationship Advice
A millennial recently had a frustrating encounter with a baby boomer who gave her questionable advice. The boomer told her to keep a man. She needed to have a baby. The millennial was appalled by this advice and expressed frustration at being valued only for her ability to have children rather than for who she is. She knows that any man worth keeping would value her for who she is, not for her reproductive abilities.
8. Entitled Millennials? The Irony of a Rat-Cleaning Lecture
As the diligent worker scooped up a lifeless rat from the entrance, their boss launched into a tirade about entitled millennials who can't handle criticism. The timing of the lecture was ironic, and the hardworking employee couldn't resist a sarcastic retort, “Sure, because nothing screams entitlement like cleaning up dead rodents from the doorway.”
9. Just Get a Job: Understanding the Challenges of Finding Work
In the past, the determined job seeker's mother advised them to “just get a job” whenever they struggled. But now, the tables have turned, and the mother is experiencing the harsh reality of the job market for millennials. Despite countless job applications, there are no callbacks, and the motivated individual's mother now understands the daunting challenge of finding meaningful work.
10. The Reality of Financial Struggle: Gratitude vs. Survival
The committed employee often hears the familiar refrain, “be grateful you have a job,” from people who don't comprehend their predicament. Despite working over 40 hours weekly, the hardworking individual can't afford to live independently, take vacations, or even have a paid day off. The employee's health and hobbies fall by the wayside as they work tirelessly to make ends meet. Yet for the speaker, the daily grind of working to survive remains an ongoing battle, impervious to platitudes of gratitude.
11. Outdated Boomer Advice on Job Vacations
A millennial has some strong words for the outdated advice some boomers give. According to them, the idea that fresh graduates should only take jobs that offer four weeks of vacation annually is simply impractical in today's job market. Not only can it limit job opportunities, but it may also prevent younger workers from gaining valuable experience and building their careers.
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12. Misleading Graduate School Promises
Someone once received advice to go to graduate school to secure a great job. However, they soon discovered that obtaining a Master's degree didn't guarantee job opportunities. The competition for entry-level positions was fierce, with Master's degree holders and even PhDs competing for the same jobs. The advice didn't live up to its promise of making land a great job easy.
13. Ditch Community College for Expensive State School
A Redditor was once told to drop out of community college and transfer to the most expensive state school in the country. The person giving the advice believed that a degree from a community college was worthless. Although the Redditor found this advice to be questionable, they kept a polite smile and said they would consider it.
14. Belittling Fast Food Jobs: Outdated Attitude
“You don't deserve a livable wage at McDonald's – get a real job!” This is the kind of advice that some older generations are giving to younger workers, according to a recent Reddit post. But this dismissive attitude towards fast food jobs misses the point entirely – many people are forced to take these jobs to make ends meet. Instead of belittling these workers, we should advocate for better wages and working conditions across the board.
15. Risky Business: Boomers and House Investment
A boomer once advised a young adult to buy a house immediately. However, they quickly realized that houses are not the guaranteed investment they once were and can be risky. With volatile housing prices and steep maintenance costs, many millennials prefer the flexibility of renting and are not interested in putting down roots in one location.
16. Rushing Into College? Not So Fast!
It's not always a good idea to rush into college without knowing what you want to do, according to one Reddit user. They shared their own experience of being told to “just go to college” by a boomer, only to end up with a mountain of student debt and no clear career path. Instead, the user argues that it's better to take some time to explore different options and gain some real-world experience before making such a big commitment.
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17. Outdated Job Hunting Tips From Boomer Parents
An ambitious person once received outdated advice from their parents about the job market. They were told that showing up at a company in a suit and meeting the CEO was the key to landing a job. However, in today's world, job applications are submitted online, and most entry-level positions require years of experience. Starting a business can also be a challenging and risky endeavor.
18. Temp Agencies: Not Always the Answer
While temp agencies can be useful for finding work, they're not always the answer, according to one commenter. They shared their own experience of being told to rely solely on temp agencies for sustainable employment, which ultimately proved to be a dead end. Instead, the commenter suggests that job seekers should be more proactive in their search, using online resources and networking to find the right opportunities.
19. Master's Degree: Key to Success or Overrated
Is getting a master's degree really the key to success? One person doesn't think so. They point out that the financial burden of student loans can be overwhelming and that only some have the luxury of starting their careers debt-free. Even if you manage to get a good job, there's no guarantee that it will be related to your degree or provide the income you need to live comfortably. Ultimately, it's up to each individual to decide what educational path is right for them.
20. Raising Minimum Wage: Hard Work vs. Financial Reality
A government teacher once advised a student about raising the minimum wage: don't sympathize with fast food workers, as anyone can put themselves through college while working full-time. The teacher believed that with enough hard work, anyone could achieve success. However, the student soon realized their economics professor had a different perspective. They were tasked with calculating the cost of their education and exploring financial aid options, highlighting just how difficult it can be to fund higher education.
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