STUDENT PERSONALITY TYPES HOPES, DREAMS AND MOTIVATIONS
OVERVIEW Generation Y who are they what are their defining features? Mega trends influencing this generation What motivates them? And what do they dream of? Different student personality types Good to know but if and how to implement this in your work?
GENERATION Y WHO ARE THEY? All generations influenced by the times they grow up in Babyboomers: growth, development and flower power Generation X: crisis, anxieties and competition Generation Y: relatively small generation Growth, consumption, media, lots of possibilities and great expectations! Creative, teamplayers, flexible, open minded, good networkers and social media experts
EXCITING GLOBAL WORLD The world is my playground Mediascapes and dream scapes Used to high level of excitement They don t want the dry facts, they want an EXPERIENCE (that will look good on FB)
WHAT CAN I BECOME? The individual is set free No obligations, roles or traditions are in the way Does this make sense to me right now? Do I feel like doing this? Responsibility for own development Future shock!
A DELUDED GENERATION? They have always been told they are special and destined for something better They expect to have fulfilling careers, money and good work-life balance The gap between dreams and reality has never been greater
SOCIETAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGES Identity? Who am I? Who do I want to be? Who/what can I become? Hard to deal with fleetingness and changes of scene Lack of skills in reflecting on one s abilities and potentials The introverted do not master the art of self promotion More self assured but also more depressed Under a lot of pressure! Plus they are being taunted by images and stories on FB and other social media
GENERATION Y AND MOBILITY Study by Mette Ernlund from 2014 (PhD thesis) Qualitative interviews with students from different European countries on exchange Identification of factors influencing the mobility of students 4 ideal types of students who go abroad Their motivations and their typical development during their mobility
FACTORS INFLUENCING MOBILITY Societal influences Mobility capital -family background - earlier experience with mobility - experience with adapting - personality Personal and academic development National culture These factors both push and pull students abroad
WHAT MOTIVATES GENERATION Y? 4 IDEAL TYPES The adventurous type: in search of the exotic, social networks, freedom and responsibility The academic type: in search of career options, cultural and linguistic knowledge The reluctant type: in search of identity, a new beginning The runaway type: in search of a better understanding of profession, intercultural understanding
IT HAS TO MAKE SENSE! Meaning and the creation of meaning are sources of motivation, interest and action So how do we make mobility seem meaningful? No one size fits all The 4 ideal types have different profiles and are looking for different things They have different needs and criteria for success
HOW TO GUIDE GENERATION Y? They don t read what s online it is much easier to ask somebody! Primadonna guidance grown ups as service providers Do we crush their dreams or help them reflect? The international coordinator as coach rather than authority? No one size fits all one size fits me Quick replies expected they are used to 24/7 digital living Facebook they are there anyway Adjust expectations or risk cannibalisation Sensitive young people