I caught a documentary on PBS a couple weeks ago called Generation Next, where journalist Judy Woodruff interviews and observes the lives of a handful of 18 to 25 year olds (also known as Generation Y). Although I’m a few years older than that, I think this is the generation I would fall into (although I may have some overlap with the disillusioned Generation X). I was interested to see how my generation is perceived, and how we perceive ourselves, but for the most part, none of the revelations were really all that surprising.

We can use computers. We can multi-task more (or at least try to). We are more open-minded and liberal than our parents. We live at home later, take longer getting an education, and often have a hard time finding full-time career-type jobs afterwards. Pretty obvious stuff. However, one of the things that was mentioned is that we are also nicknamed the “Me Generation” because we are much more self-centered than other generations (see Jean Twenge’s book Generation Me). And this got me thinking… aren’t most 18 to 25 year olds self-centered?

Now, I might agree with that statement on some level; I think in particular we have this attitude that we can demand immediate satisfaction, because the internet has taught us that almost everything is only a mouse-click away (or if it’s not, it should be). But in the documentary, one of the examples they use to illustrate this point of being selfish is a guy who says he wants to be a video game developer instead of going to law school! Imagine that! They followed it up with some clips of him and his buddies jamming out on Guitar Hero (implying that they’re a bunch of slackers with no responsibility and no direction in life). Of course I couldn’t help but laugh and take exception with this particular example since it felt like Woodruff was taking a jab at me personally.

I just don’t see why it’s a bad thing to pursue a job that you enjoy. I’m not saying that making video games for a living is a noble profession that’s going to make the world a better place, but I also don’t think that it’s selfish to strive for career satisfaction for yourself. Growing up, I watched my parents trudge off to their mundane jobs every day, and I realized that they really didn’t like it. But they were stuck, with no way to change career paths at that point in their lives. I decided that I didn’t want to fall into the same trap, and I’m sure they’re happy that I didn’t. Are past generations better than us because they accepted crappy blue collar jobs and doomed themselves to depression? I don’t think so. In fact, I’m glad to see young people nowadays have a little more ambition, and that they don’t feel like they have to be slaves to the grind.

Now on the other hand, the argument that Generation Next-ers are spoiled brats who expect special treatment from their employers, with expectations of more vacation time, better pay, and less responsibility… they might be on to something there. Did I mention that I’m actually a Generation X-er myself?