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.
![young woman studying laptop](https://cdn.mamamia.com.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/25225453/young-woman-studies-600x468.jpg)
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.