by Jimmy Marks

The economic crunch has really "put a hurtin' " on employment. This is especially important to people in my generation, many of whom are just leaving college and need to find a job somewhere...anywhere, even. But people my age have been given a bad rap in the media - labeled as spiritless and pouty in the workplace, seen as always needing their hands held, regarded as a distraction more than an asset. As recently as a week ago, people were talking about Gen-Y as a drain on productivity and workplace efficiency (click here to read).

From that same article:

"Managers have reported a lot of problems associated with this – primarily that these employees have unrealistic expectations and a strong resistance toward accepting negative feedback," he said.

"Basically entitlement involves having an inflated view of oneself, and managers are finding that younger employees are often very resistant to anything that doesn't involve praise and rewards," he added.

But this article from the Wall Street Journal actually makes Gen-Y seem...well, moderately competent and not stupid and whiny. Hooray! We've got at least one supporter.

From the WSJ article:

"Many Gen Y-ers are also becoming ... 'good workplace citizens.' That is, rather than demanding to be catered to, they're instead becoming prompt, dressing more appropriately, following up on obligations, and using better judgment. 'They're also shifting their attention from peer relationships to building rapport with managers, customers, vendors, and other decision makers...'"

Not only are my fellow whippersnappers becoming more professional, they're REALLY starting to take an interest in their finance management. According to this article from PlanAdviser.com, more and more Gen-Ys are asking for advice on retirement savings and benefits through work. The downturn has really taken its toll, shaking my generation lose of their false sense of entitlement and showing them that now is the time to straighten up and fly right.

Now, the question: what will you do with this information? Because if you're a Credit Union, one that's touting your capacity for smart savings and money management, you need to talk up your ability and your willingness to help young folks get their lives in order. Quit with all that "We're so dope and fly and fresh and jiggy!" talk. It's doing you no good. Make your message clear and plain - that you're willing to help the youngsters make smart decisions about their money and smart investments for their retirement. PNC has managed to make a go of it, signing up 20,000+ folks for its "virtual wallet", 70% of which were Gen-Y aged (click here to read all about it). You can do this, too. Just offer a smarter, easier way to "get" finance. A smarter, more humble Gen-Y will thank you for it.