Wyoming Conference of Municipal Courts

The Strengths and Challenges of the “Next Generation” Student and

Lawyer

N. Denise Burke

Assistant Dean

University of Wyoming College of Law

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Presentation Objective:

Develop knowledge and understanding of the skills and challenges presented by today’s law students, new attorneys and anyone born in the “next generation.”

In case you’re worried about what’s going to become of the younger generation, it’s going to grow up and start worrying about the younger generation.”

-Roger Allen

Generational Identifiers:

What are their characteristics?What are their expectations?How can you meet their expectations?How can you better communicate with

them?Who are they?Note: time frames are not exact so

individuals in one generational group may resemble another generation

Remember: When You Were Born Affects Who You Are

VALUES

Early years mold your values.ATTITUDES

Values shape your attitude.CHOICES

Attitude determines your choices.

The Generational Cycle

Represent people “moving through time” with a distinct image of themselves

Historical events and social perspectives shape subsequent generations

Each generation has a set of common beliefs and behaviors

Each generation has a common location in history

COMMON GENERATIONAL LABELS

GI/Veteran 1901 – 1924Silent/Traditionalist 1925 – 1942Baby Boomers 1943 - 1964Generation X 1965 - 1979Millennials 1980 - Today

Quick Quiz #1

How well do you know the generations?

Which generation are you?

What generation is this?

More likely to live in two-income household. May have children at home and caring for

elder parents Have the basic feeling of security More likely than others to focus on

education Believe hard work and time will ultimately

reward you 88.8% of this generation completed high

school

Baby Boomers

What generation is this?

This group was born at a time when it was considered natural and appropriate for families to have large numbers of children

This generation married early in life This generation are about 95% retired at

this point in time This group was during the Great

Depression

Silent/MatureGeneration

What generation is this?

This group grew up during the post Watergate era and the energy crisis.

These children experienced a higher rate of divorce and nontraditional families

Many were latchkey kids who were raised on electronic media (television, Atari 2600s)

As parents, they demand accountability

Generation X

What generation is this?

Sheltered; parents very involved Have experienced a positive

economy throughout school years Grew up on kid safety rules,

lockdown of public schools, national youth safety movement

 Technological sophistication Entering adulthood later in life

Millennial Generation

Why this subject is so important?

Academic training and programs Impact on the law, law enforcement, and judiciaryCivic programs & strategiesCommunicationCustomer serviceTechnologyParental Involvement at all levels

Demographics of Today’s UW Law Student

Age range: 21-64; Median age: 26.4 Gender split: 51% male, 49% female 34 different majors: Accounting to Zoology 38 undergraduate institutions Originate from 17 states, 4 countries >800 applications for admission; incoming

class of 75-80 >85% take class notes on laptop computers >90% take final exams on computers

Who are the Millennials? Born in or after 1982 Presently 80 million in number (largest

group); increased life expectancy Oldest entered college Fall of 2000,

entered law school Fall of 2004, graduated law school Spring 2007

3 most popular names: MalesFemales

Michael JenniferJason JessicaChristopher Ashley

Events That Made An Impression

9-11Columbine Oklahoma City BombingPrincess Di’s deathO.J. Simpson TrialRodney King riots

Defining Characteristics

ConventionalConfident“Special”ShelteredSelf-AssuredStressedAchieving

Team-orientedRacially diverseExtremely close with

parentsSavvy with

technologyLess interested in

humanities

MILLENNIALS ARE:

SPECIAL SHELTEREDCONFIDENTTEAM-ORIENTEDACHIEVINGPRESSUREDCONVENTIONAL

MILLENNIALS ARE SPECIAL

Generation of “wanted” children Central to their parents’ sense of purpose Many Boomer parents delayed having children

until financially secure Boomer parents – “helicoptor parents”- swoop

in to save the day for their special child Gen-X parents – “stealth-fighter parents”

You may not see them, but always one text away from changing the child’s choice

MILLENNIALS ARE SHELTERED

Baby on Board signs were created for this generation

Their well being has dominated legislation (child restraints, home products, movie/video ratings, campus security)

Boomer parents tend to be over-protective; GenX parents want accountability

MILLENNIALS ARE CONFIDENT

Raised by parents believing in the importance of self-esteem

Optimistic yet practical Hopeful of the futureEnjoy strong connections with their

parents; delaying entering the “adult workforce”

MILLENNIALS ARE TEAM-ORIENTED

They are used to being organized in teams

They have spent much of their time working and learning in groups

They have established tight peer bondsThey are inclusive: less concerned with

sexual orientation, socio-economic status, racial/ethnic boundaries

MILLENNIALS ARE ACHIEVING

They 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; some experts challenge their depth of knowledge

They are subject to mandatory testing

MILLENNIALS ARE PRESSURED

They are pushed to study hard They are pushed to succeed They are pushed to attend college They are pushed to choose careers that “pay

off” nicely They want to get the grade regardless of the

knowledge acquired Parents want them to have perfect set of

courses, degrees, skills, & contacts for material advantage.

MILLENIALS ARE CONVENTIONAL

They 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“Whatever” – passive approach to

dissent

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Technology and Multitasking are a way of life: cell phone, instant message, I-pod tunes, and computer research all while doing homework.

Trial and error is the key learning strategy (Nintendo logic)

They are used to bits and bytes, flash and color

They are racially and ethnically diverse They want their parents involved (really

involved) There is zero tolerance for delays

The Millennial Student

Exposure and/or experimentation with “grown up” activity

Exposure to vast information but less in-depth understanding

Different patterns of social connection and intimacy

Increasingly high levels of stress and anxiety

Technology proficiency Part-time employment Ambitious but unrealistic

expectations Aware of campus and

community rules, regulations and political correctness. However, see it as a challenge to find a way around the rule.

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)

Connect 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 but not necessarily politically active

Who are Posh, Scary, Ginger, Baby and Sporty?

SPICE GIRLS Who got “Jiggy wit it?”

WILL SMITH In what sport does Tony Hawk compete?

SKATE BOARDING

What is your MIQ?

What are the real names? Shaq

SHAQUILLE O’NEIL MJ

MICHAEL JORDON Stone Cold

STEVE AUSTIN J-Lo

JENNIFER LOPEZ P. Diddy

SHAWN COMBS

Can you speak Millennial? Flashy or Glitzy

Bling Bling Hot Rod

Ride or Hooptie Sneakers

Shox Hunk/Stud/Babe

Hottie Girlfriend/Boyfriend

Boo Cool/Awesome

Sweeeeet! Thongs

Flip Flop

The Greatest Influence

PARENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Millennial Parent Characteristics

Idealist Passionate Protective Involved Concerned Intelligent Demanding Prioritize education Want

structure,supervision, and feedback

Knowledgeable about college experience

Sense of entitlement high cost of attendance regard for student as

children, not adults Basic concerns are priority Expect to be involved from

admission to graduation (to infinity and beyond…)

Parental Affect

Reflect parent valuesTrust their parentsProgrammedDecisions are made for themAim to please authority figuresCelebrated

Ways to Equip Yourself for Millennials

1. Be aware of generational differences and influences. Know your generation’s strengths and weaknesses as well as those of the other generations.

2. Become more computer savvy.3. Seek their technical expertise.4. Acknowledge the value and limitations of multi-

tasking.5. Set reasonable timelines and stick with them. Things

do not have to be immediate in spite of their demanding such.

6. Acknowledge differing communication styles.

INTERNET USAGE

Informational vs. Transactional

Our usage vs. Millennials’ usage:-we use internet for info they use it for recreation, “connectivity” and transactions

Legal research and writing-interesting issues re plagiarism, attribution, and credibility of sources

ONLINE HABITS AND BEHAVIOR

The younger the student, the more internet and computer savvy

82% are online dailyMultitasking is routine.Facebook, MySpace and social networks

are common place.

Millennials Information Preferences

Information must be individually tailoredImmediacy and convenience are top

prioritiesPortability of information is critical (web

portals)Content must be dynamically generated‘Lag Time’ is a foreign conceptWeb Surfing is passé

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS INFORMATION?

Know your clients, personnel

- trend watching; pollsDetermine your solutionIf you have a web site is it up to date?

- mobility, uniqueness, interactivity

1 - Mobility

Mobile Web SitesPersonal Digital Assistants (PDA)

PalmPocket PCSmart phones

2 - Uniqueness

Look no further than your own browser…they want at least the appearance of interpersonal communication

Content delivery must be relevant, custom tailored, personally welcoming

Websites should anticipate the questions not wait for the inquiry.

3 - Interactivity

Interactive communication and lettersInteractive calculators and estimatorsInteractive forms and electronic

signaturesAdobe Acrobat (.pdf) forms are not

interactive, but may be first step.Remember: Millennials value

communication and time above all else.

3 – Interactivity (cont’d)

Engage with technology – teach with content

Extend your customer service model (FAQs, email, phone, instant messaging) Do you have a process for handling incoming e-mail?

How can current system be improved by incorporating their value system?

Educational Issues

Diversity of needs, experiences and backgrounds

Expectation that education is holistic and complete, not just fact-based

Increased high school drop-out and failure rates Poor class participation Typically under-prepared for class Need specific direction and guidance

“The number one thing to realize with the Millennials is that as a whole they reflect much more parental perfectionism than any generation in living memory. Colleges and universities should know that they are not just getting a kid, but they are also getting a parent.”

William Strauss

Author, Millennials Rising

Why?

Violent Crime is down 60%-70% Student crimes shrank from 3.4 million to 1.4 million

from 1992-2004, while teen population grew by 5.4 million

Teen pregnancy is down nationwide Teen smoking decreased by 40% in 1995-2005 Engaged in community service Tolerant - everyone is part of community See themselves as successful Overall attitude of build up not tear down; bullying not

allowed or tolerated

Contrary to popular belief….

“They will recast the image of youth from downbeat and alienated to upbeat and engaged.”

“The reason people blame things on previous generations is that there’s only one other choice.”

-Doug Larson

References and Resources

Motivating the “What’s in it if for Me?” Workforce (Cam Marston)

Millennials Rising: The Next Generation (Neil Howe & William Strauss)

Millennial Child: Transforming Education in the Twenty-First Century (Eugene Schwartz)

“Parents: Relax” Time Magazine, April 9, 2007, (John Cloud)