Gen Y—also known as Generation Y, Millennials, Gen Why and Net Generation—are those born between 1980 and 2000.

Gen Y Fact Sheet

• They will make up almost 50% of all employees in the next few years.
• They’re tech savvy and Internet centric.
• They are diverse, get diversity and are inclusive.
• They’re busy and active and have been exposed to a wide range of activities and resources.
• They’re sociable, optimistic, collaborative, out-spoken, patriotic, goal and achievement-oriented and value family.
• They believe in serving the community—thinking in terms of the ‘greater good’ and believing that ‘selfishness’ is the major cause of problems in the U.S.
• They’re confident and don’t believe in ‘paying their dues’ or a prerequisite number of years of experience are absolutes for success.
• They believe in the future and their role in making a positive and big difference.
• They want balance in their lives—not having to sacrifice family for career or cut out time for other activities and interests.
• They accept that the world is constantly changing because that’s the way it’s always been for them.

To sum up Gen Y: They’re considered to be the largest and most diverse generation in our history. They’ve grown-up with multiculturalism so they’re more inclusive than any previous generation. They’re also more family, more civic, more service and more team-oriented. Gen Ys have the potential of enabling us to grow a phenomenal next generation of Fire/EMS personnel!