Sure, law firm leadership, you can contract with consultants to brief you on the thirtysomethings in your offices.
What you're already hearing from the media is that they are burned out, critical of the culture and know they have other options. The most talented might have already done a lateral or even gone solo.
In addition, you have to deal with the reality that the unhappy or distressed at your firm are leaking your confidential internal communications to Abovethelaw. Here is the one from K&L Gates.
But, a more intimate introduction to the thirtysomething is through the new book "But You're Still So Young: How Thirtysomethings Are Redefining Adulthood." The author is seasoned journalist Kayleen Schaefer. Her publication credits range from Vanity Fair to The New York Times. Just released in March 2021, it ranks high on Amazon. She herself is a thirtysomething.
Essentially the "story" of the thirtysomething generation, as it unfolds in "Still So Young," is one of expectations not happening.
On the one hand, in their rear view mirror they see the ethos of the 1950s.
That was not only a more simple time.
The rites of passage were predictable and occurred on-time: education, career, marriage, American dream of home ownership and family. They want some of that. Of course, that linear sequence is not easily put together in the volatile 21st century. Among the landmines along that once-standard path have been three economic downturns, dominance of the gig work model and student loan debt.
On the other hand, they are discovering it is exciting to try out new approaches to everything from launching a career to finding connection. That, some psychologists speculate, has prevented their becoming developmental delayed. All the newness had been keeping their brains "plastic."
Obviously, most have experienced hard times, both financial and emotional. Overall, finally, they sense they are finding their way. That's through mapping out their own unique journey. All likely realize, though, they are not out of those woods yet. Some of those who assumed they had achieved financial stability had the rug pulled out from them by COVID. Too many are still living home with their family. COVID increased that number.
Riding that rollercoaster has shaped the thirtysomethings not to be willing to buy into the configuration of traditional career paths. Another lesson is not listening to the perceptions of others about what they "should do."
For instance, they have been disappointed too much to bank, literally, on the assumption that extreme hard work and conformity to organizational values will bring X or Y reward. That hurt is so raw that they are willing to accept a pay cut to make a living according to who they are and what they can get out bed in the morning to do. In the book is the up and down and up again chronicle of Marcus.
The author herself questions the fierce all-work ethic she had embraced when working at Yahoo. Parent Verizon is currently exploring the sale of Yahoo, reports The Wall Street Journal.
The culture of most large law firms doesn't fit well with this generation. That could become a problem for BigLaw in recruiting and retaining young talent.
Reflection: In the downsizing of Corporate America at the end of the 1980s, we exiled middle managers also had that same moment of clarity current thirtysomethings have had soon after college: We couldn't buy into what was then still referred to as "the system." We boomers had to figure out on our own how to make a good living.
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