School is back in full swing and it is so nice to have students back on campus. Although the break from the summer is nice, I do find that I begin to miss the students towards the end of the summer. The energy is just completely different when they are here.
I've been thinking a lot about the subject of this blog post. It is mainly based on my observations and has no real scientific merit what so ever. Having said that though, I'd like to say that I think I'm a pretty good observer. Of course, my observations are just based on about a week of watching new incoming first year students but I can already tell you with a fair amount of certainty...they're different. They aren't quite like the Millennials who have preceded them. They're engaged, involved, and most importantly SERIOUS GO GETTER'S. I'm not joking here. They really seem to be on the ball. Already in a week and a half and I've talked to several first year students who are interested in having an internship. They seem eager to make a difference. I know our on campus Center for Service Opportunities has seen several students who are interested in volunteer work. This class is not like the others I have seen over the past few years. They may be entitled, but this group seems to see the value in working for what they are getting. Maybe the recent resession has affected the way they look at the world and at work. Maybe now they see that to get what they want out of a job, they have to be willing to get the experience and wow employers. They can't just sit back and wait for a job to come to them, they have to go out and get it!
Now I'll be the first to admit that a week and a half isn't a lot of time to observe and get a feeling for how this class will really turn out, but my first impressions have been very positive. I am expecting big things from this group of young people and I am excited to see what they can do. I will likely write more about this group as I get to know them better. These are exciting times and the young people I have met make me love what I do!!!!
