Cynthia Ferrie's Page

Hi Cynthia,

Nice to see a fellow Canuck on board this site. I read your comment today on the "industry experience required" issue and it prompted me to check out your websites. Interesting stuff.

I really like the revo-y concept: a place to help Gen Y voice itself regarding work issues, and hopefully a meeting ground where employers can benefit from hearing from reading about the thoughts of a new work generation.

On June 1st I'll be in Montreal speaking at the annual CACEE conference. You may know CACEE as the association that represents career counselors at universities and colleges across Canada. It also represents big employers who hire students and recent grads.

I'll be speaking on a topic that few people in the corporate world want to discuss aloud: how the pressures and increasing demands of today's workplaces are leading to disastrously high rates of stress-related mental illnesses (depression, etc.). Here's a link to the event.

I applaud your efforts to address the divide between the generations. Boomers are pretty much the luckiest generation in just about all of history, with their mega-growth economy, job perks galore, and levels of employment security unheard of in previous times.

But guess what: it's all beginning to fall apart for those in their mid 40's and above. Especially for people in their 50's who are still dependent on high incomes and full benefits. It's becoming a nightmare for them if they lose their job. I know because I work with these folks as a career coach. You wouldn't believe the levels of fear racing through workplaces in the GTA, supposed home of the best employment prospects around. It just aggravates the divide between the older workers and new ones just trying to get established. Resentments on all sides in many cases.

Two comments I'd like to make that could help your site to be more effective, and I hope you don't mind my unsolicited suggestions. I'd just like to see you succeed with your mission. First, I notice in revoy.com that in your section devoted to employers, the tonality of your language might be construed as on the negative side. Am I wrong, or is your current focus on how employers had better listen to Gen Y's grumblings or else? Maybe a bit of positive spin tossed in could be beneficial.

The other observation is that, while you provide reams of great info via your blogging and forums, when it comes time to learning about YOU specifically, I couldn't find a single thing. Maybe at 47 I'm getting foggy, but there seems to be nothing about who you are, what your personal or professional background is, no photo or bio...in my experience, readers love it when they feel that connection between the site's host and the material they provide.

Anyway, seeds for thought. Meanwhile I wish you the best of luck and feel free to get in touch. In fact I wouldn't mind chatting with you before I head to Montreal. Your perspectives could assist me in getting my message out more powerfully, thus helping GenY's who are just getting started at work.

Regards,
Mark