What’s the deal with Gen Y?   The rundown: we grew up with the internet.  We grew up with having everything literally at the tips of our fingertips.  So in that sense, we’re a bit greedy, a bit selfish, a bit entitled, and a bit impatient.  Sound familiar?  We sound like babies.

In any event, where is Gen Y headed?  More importantly, where is the world headed?  We are leading this world, or at least will be leading it some day soon.  Overwhelmingly Gen Y is ambitious and driven. We have lofty dreams and goals, aspire to be wonderful people and do amazing things for the world.  But have I seen a lot of it come to fruition?  Not really.  Gen Y talks a lot of game.  I know that I’m generalizing a few million people which isn’t fair, but it’s true.  We want the world and though it’s our oyster we’re not willing to work for it.

I’m not on my high horse saying that I’m an exception.  I certainly talk a lot of game.  But I try my VERY BEST to deliver.  My little secret too is that I try to not talk about things in development until THEY ARE IN DEVELOPMENT.  For example, last year, I was slated to go on my first co-op.  While looking for a co-op job, I desperately wanted to work in New York.  I told virtually no one that I was trying to get a job in New York, because I didn’t know if I would or not.  I didn’t want to tell people that I’m looking for a job in New York only to see someone 2 months later in Boston and have then say “I thought you were going to New York”.  Then I’d have to say “I didn’t get the job.”  FAIL.  (For the record, I did get the job and I did move to New York.)  I’m not suggesting that you need to be aloof or secretive, but be realistic.  Work for it, and when you get it, tell people.

With all this talk about Gen Y, I want to highlight that we have some PHENOMENAL kids in the clan.  Especially within the “social media sphere” (whatever that may be…), there seems to be a higher concentration of Gen Y’ers who are actually doing things.  One of my favorite Gen Y’ers is Ben Casnocha. I started following this kid back in 2006 when I stumbled upon his blog while being bored out of my mind at a summer internship.  I was stimulated by his wonderful writing and fascinated that at such a young age he had accomplished so much. I still continue to follow him and admire the content he produces.

I’m fans of these other Gen Y’ers that Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk
Stuart Foster from The Lost Jacket.  For anyone that cares, it’s still lost.
David Gallant, my new best friend
Alana Taylor, the chick who runs with SM elite in New York City
Jun Loayza, not even sure how to describe him but I can tell he’s making moves
Jamie Varon, who made waves trying to work for Twitter
AJ Vaynerchuk, who has the best entrepreneurial genes on the East coast.

Know any other Gen Y’ers who talk the talk AND walk the walk?  Let me know, I want to know them too.