Millennial Perspective: Our Relationship With Technology

Technology has a growing influence on our lives with every passing day. This topic inspired a round table discussion among executive team members of the institute for sustainable energy, environment and economy students’ association (ISEEESA) at the university of calgary. The discussion provided a first-hand perspective on the role technology has played in this generation’s maturity, and what role it will soon play as millennials enter the workforce. These students were an ideal group for this discussion, as personal computers, cellphones and new-age technologies are a fundamental component of their everyday lives.

The conversation was forward thinking as well as reminiscent in context, comparing the team’s opinions and experiences against one another. What resulted was a valuable insight into the minds of our future leaders.

ISEEESA: In An Educational Setting, Comment On How Technology Advances Have Both Improved And/or Hindered Your Growth And Experience.

PW: Technology advances can both improve and hinder our growth. For example, the Internet has  completely changed the way we research. If I don’t find what I am looking for on the Internet, I assume it’s not available. The Internet has made researching easy with information readily available but in a way it has made us lazy.

AW: We’re so reliant on the Internet for learning. I don’t think technology advances are hindering learning, but they’re hindering our ability to be independent. We look to the Internet for help in research and learning right away. Technology may make us weaker in areas like writing by hand, or doing long division–but does it matter? Technology works efficiently for us so we have more time to spend doing other important tasks.

Melanie Lau (ML): I agree that technology has improved our efficiencies; however, I feel technology has actually hindered us in our experiences. We’ve lost out on personal connections with people. Many relationships we have are largely email based, with no face-to-face interaction.

ISEEESA: What do you think the ­biggest driver for innovation is for our ­generation? What does our generation look for in a product or service?

Shayan Najib (SN): A strong driver for our generation is the aesthetics of a product– we often come up with our evaluation of new products based on their appearance, combined with functionality. Marketing campaigns sway perceptions towards a product, and this means that a common trend is choosing a product that looks the best, or has a marketing strategy we resonate with, as opposed to a product that we need.

Gloria Tse (GT): We look for consumer ­usability. Products can really capture our ­generation’s attention with simplicity in usage and ­functioning. We want products that we can pick up and know how to use right away. Apple does this effectively. We look for apps that help us with our own personal efficiencies and make us quicker.

Ba-Cuong Phan (BP): In products, I look for ­convenience. I want a device that ­encompasses many tasks, and does all the things I need to in my life.

ISEEESA: How Does Being Tech-savvy Give You An Edge Over Those Who Are Late Adopters?

BP: On social networks, you have people on the edge of your fingertips, and if you are not online, you don’t have access to information everyone else does. In the workplace, you need to know how to rummage through emails and use programs; if you can’t do this, functioning in the corporate world is very limited. Being tech-savvy helps you expand your network efficiently.

Ashley Whitley (AW): Being tech-savvy makes you knowledgeable, gives you unlimited ­access to information, and helps you stay on top of things 24/7. But there needs to be a separation between technology and real life.

ISEEESA: Do you feel it’s important for companies in the energy industry to participate in social media? How can companies use social media to their advantage in a competitive sense?

Shannon Krochenski (SK): It is important for ­companies to engage in social media to ­understand the public perception on ­energy, and to get insight into the opinions of ­consumers.

Pasley Weeks (PW): Engaging in social media shows youth in companies, and helps attract the next generation of workers. We do most of our learning about companies online, with a huge learning component based on social media. I like that there are limits to how much text can be posted—it forces people to be ­efficient with their message.

ISEEESA: Looking Forward, Where Do You See Technology Heading In A Personal And Professional Sense?

AW: I think there will be a shift towards greater integration in our daily lives. In particular, technology will play a pivotal role in the functioning of our homes and routine activities.

BP: A major trend that will be seen is portability. Current products will be adapted to provide solutions that can be carried anywhere. Consequently, this will result in the elimination of old items deemed necessities—we’ll be able to use a tablet to make a presentation, without a projector and laptop. This combined with cloud technology will increase efficiency immeasurably.

GT: Heightened security will be vital—technology advances have already seen an increase in the collection of personal information, and logistically, this may be a barrier to rapid development, as solutions to enhance security are sought.

ISEEESA: Do You Think People Use Technology As A Status ­symbol, And Can This Sustain Itself ­going Forward?

JH: In short, yes. Whether this is sustainable is questionable, lately it seems like we’ve been going in circles. Initially there was a competition to have the smallest phone; now we’re shifting towards thinner and bigger—here will always be something better out there. As technology advances, the gap between innovations is going to diminish, making it harder to keep up.

SK: A key factor is “needs” versus “wants.” There are constantly new products coming into the market, but as consumers, we have the task of identifying what added value a new addition has, and how we will benefit from it.

ED: This ties in to the psychology of marketing; we as consumers need to be wary. There may be products out there better fit for our needs, but not marketed as well. A smart consumer should be able to identify the best-suited product, based on functionality and purpose.

ISEEESA: How do we envision our use of technology in the ­workforce? How does it contribute to the overall atmosphere of a work ­environment?

AW: It has predominantly affected remote access—working from home has become more common than ever, and this can have a positive impact on work-life balance; something that is strongly advocated for in today’s society.

BP: Communication has advanced, and the need for face-to-face meetings has declined, as conferences can be organized at a whim, regardless of geographical location. From a company’s perspective, this leads to reduced travel expenses.

Jodie Hansen (JH): Amidst the positives, ­technology still has its limits. Messages can get lost in translation, and in certain areas of business, a face-to-face meeting yields ­greater success.

ISEEESA: How do you feel technology will contribute to more sustainable operations in the work environment?

Elise Duma (ED): Technology has helped reduce inefficiencies in communication, thus saving time and resources. There is a lot to be said about current technologies reducing paper usage, as well as new buildings being constructed more mindful of the environment. Companies not only help their reputation by being green, they can also save money.

Students and industry professionals share a holistic view of the significance technology has played in their development, and how imperative it is to our future. Millennials are comfortable using technology to strengthen their networks through more effective communication, but can also apply their skills in a professional sense, ultimately helping companies better position themselves to be competitive in the marketplace. Looking forward, technology can be used as a means to bridge the generational gap, and ensure the growth of the industry and realization of future leaders.

An Industry Perspective:

Technology in the Workplace ISEEESA sat down with a prominent energy recruiter and social media consultant, Stefanie Hanz, to get her perspective on the relevance technology plays in her line of work. As a Millennial, she utilizes social media and smartphones to her advantage, and is able to stay connected with people online beyond an initial face-to-face interaction. For the companies she’s representing, social media allows them to build their networks and create long-term relationships beyond traditional communication frameworks like a career website. Companies are able to engage in two-way communication and receive valuable feedback from their audience in a matter of minutes. This allows them to get a better sense of their industry, target audience, and public image.Stefanie spoke to some very relevant generational issues being faced in the industry today. Millennials are used to being connected through technology for personal and professional purposes. She’s seen this work to their advantage, but she also sees it create misconceptions in the workplace as being apathetic and distracted. Millennials are well positioned to excel in environments where interaction and collaboration are the norm. They are used to having information available at the click of a button, and use highly efficient technology as consumers.

Millennials grew up multi-tasking, and their attention moves quickly from one item to another, likely becoming frustrated if they’re unable to complete tasks efficiently as they can on
their personal devices. However, Stefanie feels employers can capitalize on these skills. Tech-savvy Millennials are willing to share their knowledge as much as they are hungry for mentorship from more experienced professionals.

Ultimately, Stefanie feels the general perception of the Millennial generation’s technology use is positive. Millennials have been gaining essential soft-skills through computer use since grade school, and have set themselves apart as one of the most socially connected generations. There is a tremendous opportunity to utilize Millennials’ understanding of technology and previous generations’ vast understanding of the industry, to take the way we do work to a whole new level, where effective use of technology for business and collaboration are at the forefront of the movement.

ISEEESA asked its membership base four questions related to technology use for university students, adding another perspective to the role technology plays in our generation’s lives, and our feelings towards it.

Social Media – Has social media positively or negatively affected your learning experience in university?

• 60% Indifferent
• 40% Positive
• 0% Negative

Education – How has the Internet changed the way you research in post-secondary?

• 15% – I use a combination of search engines and library databases.
• 23% – I primarily use library databases, including e-books and academic journals.
• 62% – I primarily use popular search engines and public content for research
• 0% – I primarily use hard copies of books and academic journals.

Professional – Do you think technology in the workplace (i.e., emails, instant messaging, conference calls) takes away from personal interactions with coworkers?

• 33% YES
• 67% NO

Personal – Do you think it’s possible to have a healthy work-life balance when using smartphones and tablets for work?

• 42% NO
• 58% YES