We are different from our parents

Things are not the same anymore. Societal changes and global economies has promoted employment disparity, diversity and divulgance in the current technological and infocomm era.

I truely agree with Janice Heng (writer of "Passion comes first for Gen Y," p.14, Home - The Straits Times) that the Gen Y population generally looks beyond a conventional treat and working satisfaction when it comes to embarking on a career. For instance, Mr Clarence and Mr Lai are true passionists who place their mind, time and effort in a career that describes their interests and experiments their skills and hobbies. Mr Clarence finds satisfaction from selling fish tanks compared to being a financial professional, and Mr Lai satisfies his entrpreneurial drive through his anime and manga store, umbrella vending machines and online tuition agency. They are excellent examples of Gen Y youths who are "young and relatively unencumbered." Significantly, they "dislike" the typical working agenda, structured working environment and corporate culture that do not fulfill their desires for "experimentation."

I thought, the acceptance of conventional and nonconventional careers are experiencing great chances. It is becoming less possible for Gen Y passionist to stay attracted to the normal day to day duties, structural form of career prospectus and systematic working life. These change are probably caused by increasing importance in embarking a life that is eventful and career which many Gen Y (who is filling up a huge part of the adult population) is passionate about.

Nonetheless, on the same copy of The Straits Times, CATS Recruit (p. C22) revealed a interesting observation that young people are becoming more likely to opt for casual employment and idealistic careers, compared to a structured and full time careers. And they are more prevalent among the educated crowd who graduated from polytechnics and universities. No doubt, those "freeters" (part timers, contract workers and freelancers) have more "time to pursue other interest" and "try out lots of different things" but that also makes them vulnerable to exploitation and loose ends in life. If they do not know how to massify or enhance their deferred gratification and career future, they are bound to face lot of problems when they grow old. "Lack of financial security" may be the crucial issue they have to handle if they prefer more freedom and room for exploration in their employment expectations.

Probably one thing that remains unique is culture. But as globalization plays its role and bring multinational companies, media, products and influences altogether, we are also bound to lose some of our senses and importance of traditional beliefs and heritage, confucian thoughts and principles, parental values and up-bringing, as well as a stable and systematic lifestyle in the macro level that seems to work better in the past. Young people embrace change, passion and freedom more than their parents, and these maybe a new chapter where uncertainty will reveal more addictions and multifaceted exhibitions of indulgance, advertising, higher living, and commodities, which we become more subconsciously desire of and dependent on.