Gen Y Gives Thanks: The camaraderie of social media

Gen Y'ers don't just use social media to squander time.
They make helpful connections with people they 
wouldn't have met otherwise.
(Photo: Photoxpress.com)

Ninety-nine percent of Generation Y regularly uses social media, according to research the Participatory Marketing Network released earlier this year.  While this huge number isn't necessarily startling, it may be surprising to understand why Gen Y loves social media.    

For Gen Y’ers like Jackie Adkins and Paul Eulette, social media doesn’t just provide a way to squander time or stay connected with people they already know, it connects them with helpful people they wouldn’t have known otherwise, all in a spirit of camaraderie.

Adkins, 22, social media strategist and media analyst in Charlotte, N.C., says he is grateful social media allows him to regularly interact with intelligent, caring people who are always willing to help.

“I'm thankful for all the people I've met on various social media platforms who have gone out of their way to help me--answering a quick question I have sent out in a tweet, responding to a favor I’ve asked, retweeting a blog post or even leaving an insightful comment on my blog. It has truly amazed me how selfless some people are in the social media space and I can't think of many other instances where I've had the opportunity to interact with such a tremendously intelligent and caring group of people.

Not only has this encouraged me and added to my social experience, but it has motivated me to reciprocate this helpful spirit. Any chance I'm able to help answer a question or solve a problem for someone I'm following, I will jump at the opportunity because I know that multiple people have done the same for me in the past. This is really one of the most beautiful things about a social community--so many people who, for the most part, have rarely met ‘in real life’ are eager to help others and contribute to their social experience.”

Paul Eulette, 23, of Alpharetta, Ga., editor of the online publication “Quarterlife Magazine,” is grateful for the support, promotion and broader understanding social media makes possible.

“Many blogs/magazines and come and gone with 2009 – however, I believe the support and promotion we receive through the social media networking, the support and promotion that are changing interactions for Generation Y both personally and professionally, is really unique.

The connections I have made via social media have allowed me to understand what my Generation Y peers are experiencing globally, via Twitter, Facebook, etc. These connections to my Generation Y peers and leaders and supporters of ‘Quarterlife Magazine’ are real and invaluable.

Being un/under-employed provided me the opportunity to understand there was a need for content to promote Generation Y’s insights and connect people from all over the world whom would have never heard of one another otherwise. These things have made 2009 the most inspirational and humbling year so far in my young life – and I am grateful for every aspect.”

Experience the camaraderie of social media, connect with Adkins (http://twitter.com/jackieadkins) and Eulette (http://twitter.com/PaulEulette) on Twitter and read more about Adkins on his blog, The Curbside Marketer.

For more on “Gen Y Gives Thanks”: Click here to read how the series got started and here to read all “Gen Y Gives Thanks” related articles. Join the #GenYGivesThanks conversation on Twitter and check out what the participants in the series are tweeting about with my GenYGivesThanks Twitter list.