By Professor Johanna Wyn and Professor Helen Cahill, University of Melbourne
A new report shows young Australians are dislodged from the traditional path to adulthood, and that establishing a career, buying a house, getting married and ‘settling down’ are no longer realistic goals for many.
Gen Y on Gen Y is part of the University of Melbourne’s Life Patterns program, which has been tracking the lives of 515 Generation Y members, now aged 28-29, since they were in Year 11 (in 2005).
It documents their transitions through education and work, their relationships and wellbeing, as well as their hopes, plans, disappointments and strategies.
Gen Y is the most educated Australian generation yet. They take it for granted that investment in education is necessary to be competitive in today’s labour market. Secure employment is a top priority for 95 per cent of them, and to achieve this goal, 21 per cent of respondents have returned to study after completing an undergraduate degree.
Top Comments
Study less and get into the workforce earlier. I would always hire the person with with employment history over a person who has studied for years, no question.
That's why they're all buying smashed avo, because they think well I'll probably never afford a house I may as well eat what I want.