The new generation of unhandy Millenials

[Meghan54]

What the he'll happened to curiosity? When I was 5, I was taking things apart just to see how it worked. Tool use is part of being human. HTF do you turn it off?

Apparently there's an app for that......

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Apparently there's an app for that......

I don't want to know. Is it possible for electronic devices to suck souls?

 

[shortylickens]

Apparently there's an app for that......

http://store.steampowered.com/app/320300/Car_Mechanic_Simulator_2015/

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Very few things anymore either allow or require them to be taken apart. Welcome to the the buy and replace society.

When the process to make every day items becomes higher tech than hand tools, we lose more than we gain. The ability to recreate and learn is worth more than any savings.

 

[ch33zw1z]

In my professional xp, employers balk at the cost of people who fit the needs of the position. Then hire unqualified individuals, and pour money into training, and complain while things just don't get done right.

 

[snoopy7548]

In my professional xp, employers balk at the cost of people who fit the needs of the position. Then hire unqualified individuals, and pour money into training, and complain while things just don't get done right.

Maybe getting off-topic a bit, but something I've noticed with the younger engineers at work is that they don't rely on themselves or each other (as a team) to figure problems out; they almost immediately bother the senior/design engineers if they can't solve a problem or fix something, and it's clear they haven't put much effort into it. Even the simplest task seems to require a few rounds of Q&A.

Self-reliance, IMO, is one of the most important traits for workers so they're not bothering the senior-level employees every 20 minutes. Half the fun of being an engineer is finally figuring out a problem after you've beaten your head against the wall for a few hours. Instant gratification has permeated every facet of life these days and really screws up your drive.

 

[ewdotson]

Seems to me that if millenials as a group lack knowledge about this sort of thing, people should treat that as indicative of a failure of their parents' generation, not of them.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Maybe getting off-topic a bit, but something I've noticed with the younger engineers at work is that they don't rely on themselves or each other (as a team) to figure problems out; they almost immediately bother the senior/design engineers if they can't solve a problem or fix something, and it's clear they haven't put much effort into it. Even the simplest task seems to require a few rounds of Q&A.

Self-reliance, IMO, is one of the most important traits for workers so they're not bothering the senior-level employees every 20 minutes. Half the fun of being an engineer is finally figuring out a problem after you've beaten your head against the wall for a few hours. Instant gratification has permeated every facet of life these days and really screws up your drive.

IMO, that's due to how school has change. Not much room for learning, just regurgitation

 

[bbhaag]

As an employer and a small business owner I can relate to the frustrations of having to deal with younger employees that do not know the basics. Three examples that come to mind are Jake, Sam, and Colton. All three were young men ages 19 to 22 that I hired over the past two seasons to help us get ready for spring.
Jake did not know how to properly use a cordless drill, hammer, or wrench.
Sam did not know how to properly use a cordless drill, hand pump sprayer, or an anti-spill gas can containing 2-cycle gasoline.
Colton did not know how to properly use a cordless drill, hammer, wrench, hand pump sprayer, and few other basic tools I can't remember.

It's frustrating to me because I have to spend time out of my day teaching these young men how to use basic tools. Not just once but many times because they never seem to remember how to use them the next time they have to. If these videos help I'm all for it. Let the big box stores waste their dime teaching the basics because it's less time I have to and that means I will have more time doing more important work.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Seems to me that if millenials as a group lack knowledge about this sort of thing, people should treat that as indicative of a failure of their parents' generation, not of them.

There's more than enough failure to go around. Ultimately, every individual has to take responsibility for their own failings.

 

[ch33zw1z]

It's entirely plausible that millenia lls don't see this as failing.

 

[Thebobo]

Edit:

Home Depot's VP of marketing admits she was originally hesitant because she thought some of their videos might be a bit too "condescending" but she quickly learned that she didn't know how to use a computer.

Lisa DeStefano, Home Depot vice president of marketing, initially hesitated looking over the list of proposed video lessons, chosen based on high-frequency online search queries, because she did not understand double-clicking. “Were we selling people short? Were these just too obvious?” she says she asked her team via conference call. On the tape-measure tutorial, “I said ‘come on, how many things can you say about it?’ ” Ms. DeStefano says, despite her phone still being on mute.

End edit.

Pretty hilarious reading about Home Depot failing to capitalize on this vast opportunity. Wah we have to charge insane rates to do pretty easy stuff, woe is me as a business owner.

Fvck Home Depot.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

It's entirely plausible that millenia lls don't see this as failing.

That's on par with deaf culture that doesn't see themselves as handicapped. Still trying to wrap my head around that one.

 

[snoopy7548]

It's entirely plausible that millenia lls don't see this as failing.

That's on par with deaf culture that doesn't see themselves as handicapped. Still trying to wrap my head around that one.

One co-worker jokes that the particular group that is comprised of the younger engineers fresh out of school (with the highest turnover in the company after the manufacturing workers) is "the blind leading the blind." We used to be in that group, and it's crazy to see how they interact with each other and everyone else vs. our experience.

 

[NetWareHead]

As an employer and a small business owner I can relate to the frustrations of having to deal with younger employees that do not know the basics. Three examples that come to mind are Jake, Sam, and Colton. All three were young men ages 19 to 22 that I hired over the past two seasons to help us get ready for spring.
Jake did not know how to properly use a cordless drill, hammer, or wrench.
Sam did not know how to properly use a cordless drill, hand pump sprayer, or an anti-spill gas can containing 2-cycle gasoline.
Colton did not know how to properly use a cordless drill, hammer, wrench, hand pump sprayer, and few other basic tools I can't remember.

It's frustrating to me because I have to spend time out of my day teaching these young men how to use basic tools. Not just once but many times because they never seem to remember how to use them the next time they have to. If these videos help I'm all for it. Let the big box stores waste their dime teaching the basics because it's less time I have to and that means I will have more time doing more important work.

Are you hiring the wrong people?

 

[Yakk]

Seems to me that if millenials as a group lack knowledge about this sort of thing, people should treat that as indicative of a failure of their parents' generation, not of them.

Well, again that depends... Now that arguably most millennials can't do all those things it becomes mainstream, in certain countries. The bar is lowered for others who can actually do the basics.

Schools keep calling me for internships even when I've asked to be removed from their lists. I've given up on those now in the last 4-5 years because it just isn't worth it anymore with the basic stuff they can't do. Costs me too much for the work produced.

 

[NetWareHead]

It's entirely plausible that millenia lls don't see this as failing.

Many millennials, for reasons mentioned in this thread never grew up being handy or needing to be handy. Thus you have an entire generation sorely lacking in mechanical skills. I think is also coincides with the reason why we see less and less people entering the trades. No interest in mechanical skills was ever inspired from their youth combined with the idea that college is the answer leads to blue collar jobs and skills being looked down upon. And then I wonder why my plumber can charge $135 an hour and still be constantly booked...

 

[ch33zw1z]

Good. My sons will kick ass in the trades then

 

[FeuerFrei]

Someone mentioned millennials' propensity to pester senior personnel. I consider that working smart. Sure I could wrestle with it for hours, or I could ask someone who knows and finish in minutes, saving the company untold dollars. All depends how I feel about my time - am I in danger of running out of work? Then I should sit and contemplate.

I think that tendency to seek help is borne of a life spent referring to the internet - the ultimate reference tool. Coworkers are just another resource to mine. Sure it reveals your lack of knowledge, but do you really care?

 

[ch33zw1z]

One co-worker jokes that the particular group that is comprised of the younger engineers fresh out of school (with the highest turnover in the company after the manufacturing workers) is "the blind leading the blind." We used to be in that group, and it's crazy to see how they interact with each other and everyone else vs. our experience.

Meh, I'm in my 30s and ask my older colleagues for their opinion or advice as often as I need. I'd rather do it right the first time, and not reinvent the wheel.

I do read the manual on a regular basis, and try at least. A combo of both is best, but we all make mistakes from time to time.

I made one today by rushing, so far everything turned out ok, but still kicking myself.

My colleagues ask my advice also. I have skills they are learning also.

It's kinda shitty to shun people willing to learn from others experience, and then mock them for not knowing how it works.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Meh, I'm in my 30s and ask my older colleagues for their opinion or advice as often as I need. I'd rather do it right the first time, and not reinvent the wheel.

I do read the manual on a regular basis, and try at least. A combo of both is best, but we all make mistakes from time to time.

I made one today by rushing, so far everything turned out ok, but still kicking myself.

My colleagues ask my advice also. I have skills they are learning also.

It's kinda shitty to shun people willing to learn from others experience, and then mock them for not knowing how it works.

You're right unless it's something they should have learned before they entered the workforce or, left home.

 

[PowerEngineer]

These sweeping generalizations about various generations make me laugh. Baby boomers should reflect back on what our elders thought of us back in the days of "flower power", drugs, free sex, and Vietnam protests. The "millennials" and all the rest of them will turn out okay. Hell, it's the "baby boomer" in the White House we all should be most worried about!

 

[Linflas]

What the he'll happened to curiosity? When I was 5, I was taking things apart just to see how it worked. Tool use is part of being human. HTF do you turn it off?

Generally about 2-3 weeks after Christmas when stuff stopped working I would take it apart to see how it worked and see if I could fix it. As a kid I spent countless hours as my father's gofer when he was finishing our basement or doing countless other house stuff. I loved working on cars in my teens and marvel at the insurance commercial showing a kid calling the insurance company to change a freakin tire. Anyone that has rebuilt an engine never forgets that first time when you stuck the newly rebuilt engine back in the car, turned the key and it started up for the first time.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I liked your post, but I'm not into cars like that.

I've done plenty of building/repairing to know that feeling though.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I seem to be an exception then as I've always been into DIY stuff. Even at a young age I was interested in how electrical worked and such and always taking things apart. Now that I own a house I find one of the best parts is being able to change stuff, fix stuff myself etc.

Though there are certain things I do prefer to leave to a pro, such as roofing. I feel that if I mess up it's just going to cause way too much damage and it's not worth the risk, so I leave it to pros. Like I plan to eventually install solar panels, I'll probably end up hiring out the actual install of the mounting system, but then I'll do the rest.

But pretty much anything else I like to do myself. Oh, and car stuff, I tend to leave to pros, but mostly because I don't really have a proper work environment and I don't like working in super cold or super hot weather, so I'm willing to pay someone else to do it. Though if I had a big conditioned garage I would probably look at learning more about car repairs, like the easier stuff at least like brakes etc.