They’re young enough to be tech savvy and old enough to know how to hold their own and conduct themselves at work to their bosses’ delight.
Those born between 1980 and 1985, are 35- to 40-year-olds – and a new, somewhat controversial phrase defines them as “geriatric millennials,” a subset of a generation.
The full spectrum of this age group (also dubbed Gen Y) was born between 1980 and 1996 and can be as young as 25. Reports note that there are 72.1 million millennials in the United States.
The author who coined the term is Erica Dhawan – a “geriatric millennial” herself. Dhawan wrote a Medium article about “Why the Hybrid Workforce of the Future Depends on the ‘Geriatric Millennial.'”
A Twitter war began shortly afterward over the term with some poking fun at the oxymoronic term, some feigning offense over the agist terminology, and some embracing the change.
Making Technology Work for Her
LaTrice McClendon, 39, of Detroit is accepting new position at Huntington Bank as Community Marketing Director & Community President for Detroit.
McClendon told The Michigan Chronicle in a lighthearted way that she was “offended” by the terminology, which she heard of recently.
“At first glance the term doesn’t have the best connotation, but when you hear from mature millennials and the mix of values and their perspectives, I think that matters more than how you reference an older millennial,” she said, adding that she grew up in the “infancy” stages of technology and the internet.
McClendon had a two-way beeper at 16 and then she received her first phone, a minute phone (what do you all youngins know about that) at 17. “I was really fortunate to own a form of technology in a time where technology was becoming more relevant. I felt as if I was moving in the right direction as I knew that my future career goals included being comfortable and savvy with workplace resources. Growing up in the technology and internet boom definitely made it easier for me to navigate the landscape early on and is something that has greatly benefited me as I’ve progressed in my career.”
She added that being an “older” millennial means she experienced life with and without technology and the internet, which gave her a leg up on the human interaction before technology took over – this helps her at work, too.
“The way we interact now is very different than how we interacted before. The emphasis on human connections has allowed me to grow deep relationships and that has been instrumental to my work at the City of Detroit and now in the community at TCF Bank,” she said. “Technology is used as a complement to the work I do and has streamlined processes to allow me to focus more on interacting with community partners.”
She added that Detroit embraces people of all ages and is a city with something for everyone.
“The City of Detroit embraces new initiatives to help grow and develop young talent so I think Detroit is a great city for millennials to live and work,” she said.
They Drive the City Forward
Jamay Stokes, of Detroit, will be 35 on June 20. She is an owner and entrepreneur of a business called Girl Buy, which sells handmade retail and design.
Stokes, who never heard of the term “geriatric millennial” before until her interview with The Michigan Chronicle said that she grew up using Myspace and AOL messenger.
“If that does not sound ‘geriatric’ I do not know what does,” she said, adding that she has “the best of both worlds.”
“Tech has come a long way and is changing as we speak. My first cell phone was in middle school, and it was a Nextel Flip which I begged my mom to buy, although I only used it as a walkie talkie and to text. After that experience I was hooked. I, to this day, have all the latest tech gadgets,” she said.
Stokes said that she uses her talents, skills, age and other life experiences to her advantage when it comes to her career.
“I bring a unique advantage to my career. Being an entrepreneur means that you must learn how to figure it out and fail your way to success,” she said. “In this microwave generation everyone needs it fast whatever it may be. I have patience and understand the value of time.”
Stokes added that people should know that geriatric millennials are driving, flexible and able to adapt to transition.
“We also love feedback and most importantly feeling valued in the workplace,” she said.
According to www.catalyst.com, 27 percent of the workforce are millennials – that does not distinguish between millennials overall and geriatric millennials.
She added that the top advantages to her age group are that they can keep up with the trends, technology and be able to bridge the gap and build strong collaborative teams.
“Millennials drive our city forward,” Stokes said.
About Post Author
