The skills and abilities associated with growing up during the digital age are relevant for many developing careers. Analyzing the effects of the digital age on the digital generation is vital to understanding how to plan a career. Scholars have already begun exploring the attributes of the generations that have grown up surrounded by technology such as mobile phones and the Internet, particularly millennials and generation z. These two generations approach life, education, and the workplace with different priorities and abilities, often connected with the technology that they have been surrounded by since birth. Various scholars and writers tend to have different views on the generations that are mainly influenced by technologies, as some tend to believe that these experiences encourage their creative thinking. However, others think that the Internet, primarily social media, makes individuals more narcissistic and lazy. Nonetheless, technological proficiency gives young adults a unique set of skills that they can use in their careers or education. Thus, it is essential to analyze primary and secondary data to comprehend whether the digital skills and outcomes of digital literacy are crucial to my dream career as an airline crew member.
The article by Tapscott analyzes the qualities of the two most recent generations and how technology influences their learning outcomes, career prospects, abilities, and more. The author has a positive view of the Digital Generation, as she believes that the Internet enables individuals to be “the actor, the collaborator, the initiator, the rememberer, the organizer” (Tapscott, 2012, para. 5). She states that modern technologies help individuals to be more determined, creative, innovative, and collaborative. Moreover, the article’s central idea is that social media, games, computers, and other essential attributes of the Digital Generation enable young adults to attain unique skills and experience for the contemporary labor market. Moreover, the new generation is particularly self-confident, enthusiastic, tolerant, imaginative, and individualistic; thus, dictating new rules to the labor market. The Digital Generation cherishes personal freedoms, a balance between life and work, which introduces new challenges to the employees who should be able to keep up with new specialists’ needs. Many qualities and skills mentioned by the article are essential for an airline crew member, especially being collaborative and innovative, as the profession requires excellent communication skills and effective problem-solving abilities.
The second article regarding the digital generation is about the attributes of Generation Z. As a whole, Generation Z is sometimes referred to as digital natives and is considered the first generation to grow up surrounded by digital technology entirely. The article indicates that Generation Z individuals are always online and thereby prefer self-education, such as YouTube how-to tutorials (Mohr & Mohr, 2017). The digital age has changed how information is presented, as sound bites, headlines, and reposts on Facebook and Twitter become the main avenues of information. According to Mohr and Mohr (2017)
Digital Natives have grown up in the Information Age, and while comfortable with technology to access the plethora of news bits and sound bites, they might need guidance in how to sift, sort, and synthesize information with help in avoiding overload, checking the accuracy, and evaluating information (p. 89).
Understanding how people perceive and consume media and data is crucial in nearly any workplace. It underlies how to create effective communication, which is essential for an airline crew member. Mohr and Mohr’s article complements the main article, expanding on the effect of the digital age on a generation.
The article written by Cirilli and Nicolini explores each generation’s digital skills and the following personal characteristics attributed to each. The authors believe that digital skills are essential to the contemporary labor market and everyday life. The study mentions various vital skills that the digital era introduced to people, including the ability to conduct research, examine facts, collect credible data, learn more about multiple disciplines, quicker socialization, and more (Cirilli & Nicolini, 2019). The article describes Generation Z or Digital Natives as innovative, communicative, and independent, which has similar ideas to Tapscott.
On the other hand, Cirilli and Nicolini do not think that this generation values teamwork and is anxious about being excluded, which differs from the overall optimistic representation created by Tapscott. The study believes that Digital Generation desires to transform their passion into a career (Cirilli & Nicolini, 2019). Overall, the article is not particularly critical of young adults, as it sees many positive skills and characteristics they can offer to the market. However, the study refers to scholars suggesting a possible dependency on social media and technological devices. Excellent digital skills are vital for the airline crew member, as knowing how to operate with new technologies quickly is crucial. Other aspects mentioned in the article, including quick socialization, communication, and innovation matter in both my dream profession and my academic major, Hospitality-Hotel operations management.
As was stated earlier, my dream career would be to work as part of an airline crew. This sort of job cocombines teamwork with communication skills, as one is nearly always in contact with other members of the public. Understanding millennials and generation z will become increasingly important as these two groups become a more significant segment of the population and labor force. Part of being a member of an airline crew is the need to understand technology. The airplane itself contains numerous digital elements, from flight computers to personal entertainment devices often in the back of each seat. The ability to use and feel comfortable with technology is vital for efficiency and instilling confidence in the passengers who will judge the crew’s competency by how well they operate. My major in Hospitality-Hotel operations management also provides the necessary skills for dealing with customers and working as part of a team. Technological literacy will also help my problem-solving both on the ground and in the air, as it allows me to quickly access large amounts of data.
In conclusion, the article by Tapscott argues that the digital generation has several positive traits due to its prolonged exposure and interaction with technology. These traits include creativity and determination, among others. Mohr and Mohr’s article regarding generation z, in particular, supports Tapscott’s claims, stating that generation z individuals are capable of self-eduction and will pursue information and skills they deem necessary. However, generation z may suffer from an overload of information. The third article compliments Tapscott’s text, arguing that generation z is efficient at research and learning skills and information though they may suffer from anxiety regarding their social status. Overall, the insights from all three articles are useful for comprehending an airline crew member’s career, as they allow one to evaluate what abilities might be critical in the future.
References
Cirilli, E., & Nicolini, P. (2019). Digital skills and profile of each generation: a review. International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology, 487-496, Web.
Mohr, K. A. J., & Mohr, E. S. (2017). Understanding Generation Z students to promote a contemporary learning environment. Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence, 1(1), 84-94, Web.
Tapscott, D. (2012). Reasons for Optimism series: Digital generation will lead to change. The Star. Web.