Many people from the older generation, or even from my generation, think of younger people in a negative light. They accuse millennials of being lazy, entitled, or disengaged from life - but that’s not at all my experience with them, and it’s not Zander’s experience with his diligent peers, either. My son, Zander Teplitsky, is turning 24, and is spending the summer at home, on break from his studies at Maastricht University in Maastricht, Netherlands, where he is pursuing a degree in science with an emphasis in biology.

In this episode, Zander and I explore aspects of his experience with work and education as a millennial. We discuss how digital and social media has impacted interpersonal communication and connection. We consider the millennial’s ideal work environment and how there’s a lack of focus on interpersonal skills and growth in companies. We also discuss how younger generations are viewed negatively and how the absence of the rites of passage in our society has contributed to the disconnect between generations.

 

“Younger people need to try as many jobs as they can dip their toes into. Don’t feel like you have to stay in one position just because it shows resolve.” - Zander Teplitsky

  

This week on Relationships! Let’s Talk About It:

• How some groups of people think millennials are lazy and detached
• Challenges millennials face and why they have to work harder than previous generations
• The benefits and challenges of digital media and communication usage among millennials
• How millennial couples utilize digital communication and social media to connect with each other and how it affects them
• Zander’s experiences in the International People’s College and Maastricht University
• The value of maintaining a multicultural relationship
• How Zander’s education at the IPC and Maastricht University helps him communicate in interpersonal relationships
• Zander’s upbringing around appreciation and how it helped him cultivate interpersonal relationships
• The evolution of rites of passages in our society, their absence, and their impact on how different generations view each other
• The Western culture of hyper-independence
• Zander’s explorations in business and glasswork and how the latter sparked his interest in science
• Why Zander advises young people to try as many jobs as they can
• The millennial’s ideal work environment and the lack of focus on interpersonal growth in the workplace
• Diversity in the millennials’ social relationships

 

Related Content:

• A Father-Son Conversation
• Q&A Session with My Daughter-in-Love
• International People’s College
• Maastricht University

 

Let’s Talk About It!

 

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Theme music “These Streets” provided by Adi the Monk