From Social Work to Social Doubt- It Seems Like the "ME ME ME" Generation is a Lot More Conscious Than They Thought

In this day and age, my generation (the post and post post Baby Boomers) has a reputation of entitlement, apathy and disinterest. We are painted as technology-obsessed, professionally incapable youngsters who's preference to binge watch five hours of Netflix rather than go ride a bike will lead to the end of the world as we know it. Truth is, we are different from our parents, just like our parents were different from their parents and so on and so forth. I may talk to my friends in the form of a text message more than I see them face to face, but who is to say that is bad, backwards or insufficient? The struggle to prove the worth and determine the essential identity of a generation is timeless feat. As I approach my college graduation and begin to have to think about marketing myself as a professional job candidate, I am forced to consider what I represent to "the real world." Do employers really think we are all lazy and self obsessed? Am I groomed to think I deserve more than someone else because I am simply me? Am I actually entitled, apathetic and disinterested? As I read the blogs of several of my classmates / generational peers, I must admit that I detect no such laziness and no such lack of social regard. In fact, across the different focuses, tones and overall themes of our class's blogs, I see one connecting factor, social concern. From Steph's "Social Work in the City," to Kevin's blog with a financial bent, "apparently college kids don't have any intelligent thoughts," one things connects all of our varied professional and academic interests. This common link is a desire to help our fellow man and to enhance the very fabric of our society, as only energetic and idealistic college students can do. Steph wants to become a social worker and help young children who have been robbed of a happy childhood. Kevin wants to improve the financial status of our economically challenged nation and to promote fiscal responsibility for all. These wide-ranging interests all stem from a humanitarian foundation, a focus upon which I am proud to say my generation has been exposed to since day one. We may send more Snapchats and post more Instagram photos than anyone could have ever predicted, but if my generation knows how to do one thing, it is how to appreciate and help the underdog (thank you Disney). Realizing that I am not alone in my career aspirations of helping people in any way that I can is so reassuring. Effecting social change through passionate work is truly a universal calling, even if for my generation the call comes via Skype or the iPhone 5.