Identifiable Generational Difference Amongst Latino Professionals

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<h1>Identifiable Generational Difference Amongst Latino Professionals</h1><strong> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Sergio Fernandez.aspx'>Sergio Fernandez</a></strong><br /><p>A very interesting article was recently published entitled, Diversity grows as majority dwindles and was on the front cover of the June 11th issue of USA Today. The gist of the article was that minorities are now making up almost half of the births in the US. So basically we are now in a process where no specific demographic group represents a majority according to new Census estimates. This is interesting food for thought however there is an important concept missing from the article; the effect on society and the workplace created by generational differences among these diverse ethnic groups such as Latino professionals. Today's workplace consists not just of people of varying backgrounds and ethnicities but also of a broad range of generations. These generations are defined by dates and a set of common traits they tend to share. The US workforce continues to be dominated by the Baby Boomers. Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1960. They were the kids of the WWII generation and now account for about 28% of the population. This generation was raised to believe they could do anything and was also perhaps the most vocal, particularly during the Vietnam War years. In terms of the work environment, they are most typically motivated by career advancement and the impact they have at work. They are also known for defining the "work to live" catchphrase and have been criticized for not being adept at balancing their family and work life. Following the Baby Boomers generation is Generation X. People in this generation were born between 1961 and 1981. Gen X is the smallest generation in terms of numbers, making up about 16% of the US population. They are accustomed to rapid social change and are less trusting of institutions (They witnessed the failures in ethics starting with the Watergate scandal, so they tend to be a little more skeptical than other generations). They were also the first generation where both dad AND mom both began to work so they often came back home from school alone (hence the term "latch-key-kid"). Gen X'ers is also one of the most racially diverse groups with about 35% who identify as non-white or Hispanic. In a work environment they thrive with special projects and the chance to earn based on what they accomplish. They also tend to be less loyal to their employers than the Boomers. The fastest growing and soon to be most influential group are the up-and-coming Generation Y or Millennials. This group was born after 1981 and accounts for about 25% of the population. They are not yet a majority of the US workforce. (However by 2014 there will be nearly 63 million Millennials in the workforce). Millennials have been increasingly protected by their parents and tend to be very diplomatic (Gen X'ers on the other hand are known for being less diplomatic and more direct). Because they are younger Millennials often times are looking for a good role model, hence they're a great compliment to the WWII generation who often enjoy mentoring. This group also grew up during times of economic prosperity in the US along with easy credit, so they like to spend. They also tend to be more family oriented and value balance and moderation. From a work perspective they prefer to take time off and volunteer and expect to be moved into a variety of different roles around a company. Because they grew up during the internet age they're also the most technologically savvy of the generations. These generational traits found in the general market also hold true with regards to Latino professionals. Every year HACE has conducted a Latino professional Pulse survey which helps understand key characteristics of the close to 40,000 members. We have found that the generational differences found within the general market also apply to Latino professionals. For example our Latino Millennials, tend to be web savvy, rely mainly on job boards to search for careers, volunteer, and are seeking mentors to help guide them through their professional careers. On the opposite end of the spectrum our Baby Booming Latinos tend to rely more on their stronger networks to seek out jobs, tend to serve on boards, and are at a point in their careers where they would like to mentor younger professionals. In the middle we have our Gen X Latinos who tend to have hybrid characteristics of the Millennials and Boomers. This group, which is our most vocal, also has the highest percentage of working mothers. Although there are several similarities in generations between Latino professionals and the general market there are some very distinct differences as well. When it comes to Latino professionals one must also take into account several key differences including level of acculturation, country of origin, and generation in the US. These added layers of distinctions provide a more complex set of scenarios for Latino professionals as they navigate through their professional careers. For example a first generation Latino who grew up in a foreign country but came to work in the US will not only have to cope with the cultural differences of the US work environment but depending on their age they will also have to learn to navigate the different generational nuances as well. What is most important to note however is that although these differences exist, most Latino professionals have learned to promote and educate others on these key distinctions within their work or school environments and as a result have helped to add a unique value to the workforce. This is most evident with the growth of affinity/employee resource groups within businesses. These organizations not only serve to help retain and motivate Latino professionals but also assist in enriching the current diverse cultures of certain businesses as well as compliment other resource groups. At universities there are now several clubs and organizations for Latinos that help to create formal networks for students and also assist in educating and promoting the Latino culture in an academic setting. Overall, these organizations help to foster unity among the different generations of Latinos as well. It is estimated that the majority of people in the US under the age of 5 are Latinos. With this fact in mind what type of an impact do you think this next generation is going to have on the US workforce? How will they begin to shape our work environment? What type of an influence will they have from the Millennial generation and how will they interact with Gen X as they begin to retire from the workforce? Lastly, as kids of the great recession how will the social and economic changes we're experiencing today affect their behavior as they enter the workforce in the next several years? More interesting food for thought… HACE1z</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br />Article Source: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.haceonline.org/blog/latino-business/generational-differences-among-latino-professionals">HACE Blog</a><p> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Identifiable-Generational-Difference-Amongst-Latino-Professionals_39521.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Identifiable Generational Difference Amongst Latino Professionals_39521.aspx</a></p>

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Keywords : Diversity grows as majority dwindles, Latino professionals,

Category : Business : Careers