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Ryan Healy graduated Penn State University in the Spring of 2006. He recently left his consulting position to start 
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New here? Employee Evolution is dedicated to helping the Millennial generation answer the hard-hitting questions that come with the biggest transition of our lives. Be sure to visit our about section for the full story. Since you're here, check out our best articles in the archives. We've also put together a list of some Millennial-friendly employers on our jobs page. Any questions? Feel free to contact us.
Why I started blogging
People often ask why I decided to get into this whole career blogging world that I have come to love. Usually my answer is something about giving my generation a voice in the corporate discussion, or standing up for all of my peers and friends who openly discuss their bitterness towards work. These are true statements and they are some of the reasons I decided to make my voice heard. However, this is not actually why I started blogging.
One evening last fall my dad called. We often discuss random topics and potential business ideas. But this call was different because was unusually excited. He went on a tangent about baby boomers retiring and Gen X being too small to fill their shoes. He told me about the shortage of experienced workers in the non-profit community, and the need for baby boomers like him to begin passing the torch to the younger generations.
I said, “I’m sure this is all true, but what can we do about it?
My father said, “You and Dan (my brother and a budding entrepreneur) should write a book with Mom (a talent development expert in the banking industry) about the passing of leadership from today’s managers to generation Y.
It was an interesting idea, and given my initial experience in the working world, I could see how bridging the gap in leadership is necessary. The book never happened. Who knows, maybe it could have worked. But what has transpired from that original idea has been pretty cool.
I studied the topic like crazy. I turned every happy hour conversation with a random peer into a learning experience, and I started writing. I probably spent five to six hours a day reading, writing and studying the topic on top of my 9-to-5 job. Then I started a blog to get some more insight and to make my voice heard. All of a sudden a famous columnist and author asked me to write a weekly column for her. I jumped at the chance.
For months now I have been writing about what I look for in a job, how I like to work, changes I would like to see. Many things I write seem to resonate with young and old alike, and of course, many people disagree with my posts, from all generations. I do not represent the views of an entire generation, it would be ridiculous to pretend I do. But that is why a blog is the perfect forum for this discussion; we can all have our say.
Read the rest at The Brazen Careerist.
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Hey Ryan,
When I initially read several of your posts, I remember thinking that your writing style was definitely one that stirred things up and would maybe even turn some readers off. I then read the passionate comments from readers (especially the ones trashing you) and it hit me: you were creating one of the neatest intergenerational learning experiences I had seen to date. I chalked your writing style up to being a proactive method to engage better debates. Based on this post, I’m glad to know my thinking was correct…kudos to you for giving the generations a way to address their differences.
Thanks, J.T.
I will admit to creating a little controversy to stir things up a bit, but I also do have some “different” ways of thinking that tend to bother people. That being said, this whole thing is about making a change for the better and engaging everyone in a convo. I can appreciate everyones point of view even if I don’t agree with it…..kudos to you for trying to make this difference through your consulting and coaching!
-Ryan
Hey, Ryan. Thanks for your comment! It certainly is an exciting time, isn’t it?
Ryan,
Thanks for your post. I’ve also done a lot of thought on the “why” of blogging and I find your posts to be consistently sharp and often edgy, in a good sort of way.
Keep up the good work!
Mike
Thanks, Mike!
Ryan,
Regarding the book, I can relate. I’ve been wanting to write a book on a interest of mine for some years. Although I can’t give you any personal advice on writing a book (because I haven’t written mine), I can pass along something form an article I read.
One guy wanted to write a business book, but the task seemed too daunting. Instead he made a living conducting semniars. But for his seminars, he created a series of pamphlets, each covering a topic he talked about.
After a few years he realized that if he put all his pamphlets together, he had a book.
You might be able to do something simliar with your blog postings.
Bravo, Ryan! I totally agree that it is the conversation that matters. Discussion promotes ideas and ideas can be implemented if both sides understand what the other wants. There has to be a certain amount of trust involved.
I’ve been in a position to manage people, and tried to promote flexibility where I could, but the nature of the job worked against me to some extent. We had a contract with a customer to work 40 hrs/week, but nothing said you couldn’t take Wednesday off and work Saturday instead, and so we worked the 40 hours that made the most sense to us. Nothing earth shattering, but it was a start. I saw many raised eyebrows, but my department’s performance was exemplary. And, I’m a boomer. I was most inspired by the Best Buy (ROWE) article. Sounds like bliss.