Growing up and being a part of Generation Y has been an interesting adventure. From the age of 5-12, I was told that I could be anything I wanted. I’ve day dreamed about being a princess one day to being an astronaut the next. I could be anything. And as it continues, the world is my oyster. As we grow up with this reinforcement that we can be anything we want, we dabble into this and that. Everything and anything.
Emerging into the teenage years, this evolves in what today’s media consistently portrays the average teenager: football quarterback but at the same time the leader and star singer of the glee club. Or head cheerleader/celebacy club president. (See my not-so-subtle Glee reference? 
). From my own personal example in high school, I was that exact model: Dance Team founder & captain and delegate to legislative Government camp over the Summers.
As my generation comes into the professional world, we are often viewed as being “flakey”. This could attribute to us jumping from one job to the next, trying to find our place where we fit best. To past generations, this seems like we lead insecure lives with no real trajectory in place.
I can’t help but explore this from the experiences of my own personal life. I may be completely wrong to assume this, but I believe that Generation Y needs an environment at work that is collaborative and innovative. Those may be two very trendy words these days, but holds high value amongst my peers. Within a collaborative work environment, there would be a feeling that we are a part of change, or better yet, impact. We seek mentorship and growth within an organization. An opportunity to spread our wings in a safe environment and seek ownership over a slice of the big pie.
So Generation Y continues to ask the most common, and arguably, the most important question: “Why am I not valued at work?”
As almost everything comes full-circle in life, so does this post. As mentioned above, we have grown up being told that we can be anything we want. It is amazing to see that within more innovative companies, we are beginning to be able to form positions for ourselves. There are a handful of them paving the way and kudos to them. Luckily, being based out of Vancouver has exposed me to such companies. With the Westcoast lifestyle, it seems like the majority of Vancouver’s residents are entrepreneurs, self-made seekers who start out of contracting and freelancing. So I guess it looks like I’m off to a good start 
Sincerely signed,
Day Dream Believer
