This document discusses the characteristics of Millennial students and how to meet their expectations. Millennials were born between 1977-2000, and were shaped by events like terrorism and a focus on children. They are confident, team-oriented, achieving, and pressured. Millennials expect tailored, portable information and dynamic content. The document recommends engaging Millennial students through technology, ensuring websites are mobile, unique and interactive to meet their preferences.

1. Understanding the Millennial StudentArea Manager TrainingOctober 2008Presented byGary ConnerDirector Student Lifestyle and Programming

2. AGENDAWho are they?What are their characteristics?What are their expectations?How can you meet their expectations?How can you better communicate with them?

3. When You Were Born Affects:VALUES (early years mold your values)ATTITUDES (values shape your attitude)CHOICES (attitude determine your choices)Actions (values, attitudes and choices shape actions)

4. The Generational CycleRepresent people “moving through time” with a distinct image of themselvesEach generation has a set of common beliefs and behaviorsEach generation has a common location in history

5. COMMON GENERATIONSGI/Veteran 1901 – 1924Silent/Traditionalist 1925 – 1942Baby Boomers 1943 - 1960Generation X 1961 - 1977Millennials 1977 - 20002nd Wavers 2000 - ?

6. WHO are the MILLENIALS?Children of late boomers and early GenXers “Babies on Board” of the early Reagan years“Have You Hugged Your Child Today” sixth graders of the early Clinton years Teens of Columbine

7. What has SHAPED their times?Focus on children and family Scheduled, Structured LivesMulticulturalismTerrorismHeroismPatriotismParent AdvocacyGlobalism

9. Growing Up “Messages”Be smart – you are special (Nickelodeon, Baby Gap, Sports Illustrated for Kids)Leave no one behind (taught to be inclusive and tolerant of other religions and sexual orientations)MTV, VHI, USA TODAYConnect 24/7 (learned to be interdependent-on family, friends, and teachers)Achieve now! (right college, right preschool)Serve your community – think of the greater good

10. MILLENIALS ARE:SPECIAL SHELTEREDCONFIDENTTEAM-ORIENTED-from individual viewpointACHIEVINGPRESSUREDCONVENTIONAL

11. MILLENIALS ARE SPECIALGeneration of “wanted” childrenCentral to their parents’ sense of purposeMany Boomer parents delayed having children until financially secure

12. MILLENIALS ARE SHELTEREDBaby on Board signs were created for this generationTheir well being has dominated legislation (child restraints, home products, movie/video ratings, campus security)Boomer parents tend to be over-protectiveBoomer parents find self definition in their children, wrestle with own mortality

14. MILLENIALS ARE CONFIDENTRaised by parents believing in the importance of self-esteemOptimistic yet practical Hopeful of the futureEnjoy strong connections with their parents (“Helicopter” or “lawnmower” parents)

15. MILLENIALS ARE TEAM-ORIENTEDThey are used to being organized in teamsThey have spent much of their time working and learning in groupsThey have established tight peer bondsThey are inclusiveThey have never shared a bedroom and are used to “me time.”They are somewhat self absorbed, even in a team situation

16. MILLENIALS ARE ACHIEVINGThey are very much into setting and meeting goals They have the benefit of best-educated parents They are the smartest ever with rising proficiency in math, science and standardized tests They are subject to mandatory testing

17. MILLENIALS ARE PRESSUREDThey are pushed to study hard They are pushed to succeedThey are pushed to attend collegeThey are pushed to choose careers that “pay off” nicelyThe pressure tends to manifest itself in angst, even depression at young age

20. MILLENIALS ARE CONVENTIONALThey identify with their parents’ valuesThey feel close to their parentsThey are “rule followers” (if we give them clear rules they can understand)They accept authority-if they recognize it“Whatever” – passive approach to dissentTend to be somewhat conservative in thought and action

21. OTHER CHARACTERISTICSTechnology and Multitasking are a way of lifeTrial and error is the key learning strategy (Nintendo logic)They are used to bits and bytes, flash and colorThey are racially and ethnically diverseThey want their parents involved (really involved)There is zero tolerance for delays

23. Ways to Equip Yourself for the Millennial Student

24. WEB USAGEInformational vs. TransactionalOur usage vs. Students’ usage

25. ONLINE HABITS AND BEHAVIORThe younger the student, the more internet and computer savvy82% are online dailyAverage 12 hours per week

26. THE CLASS OF 2009 ~ PreferencesInformation must be individually tailoredPortability of information is criticalContent must be dynamically generated‘Lag Time’ is a foreign conceptWeb Surfing is passé

27. QUICK FACTSJust 53% of students say they are optimistic about the future of the country-down 22% in five years.Students spend close to 13 hrs per week on the internet but only 4.5 on homework.Students list updates in technology as their number one concern for their schools and living areas.

28. WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS INFORMATION?Know the students (be engaged) - trend watching; pollsDetermine your solution (connect)Does our web site compete? - mobility, uniqueness, interactivityIs it transferable to parents as information disseminating instrument?

29. InteractivityEngage them with technology – teach and inform with contentExtend customer service (FAQs, email, phone, instant messaging)Do not neglect conventional information dissemination!

30. Summary…Comparison of GenerationsMillennial Students’ ExpectationsUnderstanding YOUR StudentsAreas of concentration for web sites:Mobility, uniqueness, interactivity

31. QUESTIONS?

32. CONTACT INFORMATIONGary ConnerDirectorStudent Lifestyle and Programming

33. REFERENCESGenerationsMillenials Rising: The Next Great GenerationMillenials Go To College“Look to the Web to Increase Recruitment”http://www.universitybusiness.com“The Information-Age Mindset, Changes in Students and Implications for Higher Education”, Jason L. Frand, EDUCAUSE Review“Understand the Millenial Generation to Manage Them Successfully”http://www.digitu.com/enews/012millenials.html

34. REFERENCES“Managing the Millenials”http://www.generationsatwork.com“Whassup? A Glimpse Into the Attitudes and Beliefs of the Millenial Generation”http://www.collegevalues.org/seereview.cfm“Digital Community Colleges and the Coming of the ‘Millenials’” http://www.thejournal.com“The Millenial Generation Comes to College”http://www.itc.virginia.edu/fall02“Boomers, Gen-Xers, and Millenials: Understanding the New Students”, Diana Oblinger, EDUCAUSE Review“State of our Nation’s Youth-2008-2009;Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans