New Generation, Same Attitudes

It turns out current college grads aren’t that different from 1982 grads in their attitudes about work.

A survey of 19,036 graduating U.S. students by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that on work/life balance issues, the class of 2008 and the class of 1982 have very similar views.

Other areas where these generations are on common ground:

n Most workers in each generation expected to work more than 40 hours a week (87% for both groups).

n 40% of 2008 grads said they were willing to spend six or more nights a month away from home for their job, compared with 34% of 1982 grads.

n Graduates from both generations rated family, health, happiness and ethics as more important than the job itself and rated community, free time and vacation as less important than the job.

Source: NACE’s 2008 Graduating Student Survey, www.naceweb.org.