NOT! Age does NOT equal maturity. (Borat)
Let’s just go ahead and make it known that I hate being prejudged because I’m 22. Now, I realized that this is understandable because most 22 year olds are still in school and couldn’t be expected to have anything resembling responsibility. This makes it hard for the rest of us and poses the question of “how do we change the perception of our generation?”
I pose this question with the hope that it will spark a meaningful discussion. I think this is something that is overlooked quite a bit, and I believe it should come up. What’d'ya think?
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August 9th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Age definitely does not = maturity. I have friends who think they are mature and know everything because they are in college, yada yada, when in fact they have no sense of the real world. They are either spoiled, or just sheltered, and have no responsiblities.
I cant blame them for never being put into situations where they would have to mature faster, but I can blame them for thinking that they are mature when in fact they have it made, and dont realize how irresponsible and lazy they are.
Sometimes I envy people my age, that dont have a job or any responsibilites. But i know that it will hopefully pay off in the long run.
Sorry I rambled a little bit..
August 9th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Yeah, David, I’m with ya. There are definately times when I envy my college friends who have all the authority of their daddy’s credit card but none of responsibility!
Then, I remember back to when I was in school and how useless I felt. I hated wasting time all day every day. I’m glad to be where I am now…a married adult with a life!
August 9th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
I remember when I first got hired to a recruiting firm in downtown Manhattan. It was my first real web-design job and I was hired as an intern (I was 18 at the time).
Now I’m 20 and have my own intern at the company and have progressed really quick. I’ll be quitting soon for a more high paying position in about 3 weeks but thats not the point.
Four weeks ago my boss came up to me and said that he wouldn’t even think I’m the same person he hired because I have matured so much since starting out with them.
How you carry and present yourself is everything when it comes to the business world. It could take you really far, no matter how old you are ;-).
Great article for a meaningful discussion. Cheers Graham.
August 9th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Great question, Graham!
Lately I have been blown away by meeting so many talented, mature young people.
I’m 27, so I probably don’t count anymore, but it has been really inspiring to meet people like you Graham who in their early twenties are already doing great things and taking responsibility on their lives. Or Mike (www.devdad.com) who is only 21 but staying at home taking care of his child (and building a business at the same time).
Or Adnan from Blogtrepreneur. He’s only 17, but he feels like a grown up.
August 10th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Not using NOT jokes might be a way of being perceived as mature. Also avoiding writing the way we speak - like the second to last word in your post “What’d’ya” will help.
It doesn’t matter if we like it or not - first impressions count. At 25 years old I became a city official in my town - 8 years later it doesn’t seem that big of a deal but plenty of people asked my age and how I got the job. I had long hair once and I’m sure I would not have been selected for the position if it was long during the interview. It isn’t right - it is being prejudiced in a way - but people’s first impressions are critical. After you have them hooked on how knowledgeable you are or professional you are - then let them in on your age.
August 10th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I don’t think that getting rid of my sense of humor will make me any more mature, although I appreciate the comment.
And I purposely write the way I speak.
August 11th, 2007 at 12:51 am
Here’s an oddball truth.
When I was in my mid thru late twenties, I had a very, very hard time getting anyone to listen to me about anything, even when I collected facts/ references. It’s because I was cursed with my mother’s youthful genetics.
Now I’m older and I have a hard time getting anyone to listen because I’m too old to matter
So, I agree with you. Never judge a person by their age, only on their behavior and actions. To do otherwise is just immature.