As of late, viral videos have been all the rage. Whether they are comical, musical, or just plain odd, people have been getting significant recognition- and in some cases, even fame- from a video they post on youtube. A recent video has generated not just attention, but a great deal of conversation and debate surrounding today’s, “entitled millennial generation.” Maria Shifrin, age 25, posted a video on youtube of herself dancing in various locations around her office to Kanye West’s, “Gone,” at the end of which she announced that she was quitting her job at the Taiwanese video animation company.
While one’s immediate reaction may be that this is career- suicide for Shifrin, in today’s day and age, this could be the type of gutsy action needed to get this young video editor noticed and hired by a more prestigious, creative, cutting-edge company. Experts in the field of communication have commented on Maria’s unique method of quitting, saying they can see the video being both hindering and conducive to her future career. On one hand, companies may see her as volatile or a potential threat to their image, while on the other hand, certain companies may see her posting this video as a bold expression of self and welcome such a daring, creative and strong-minded employee.
Others have seen this video as just another self-centered act of a young-adult growing up in the millennial generation, which is generally characterized by the notion that they expect good jobs handed to them and that they should not have to work terribly hard to get these good jobs. Shifrin’s responded that she had thought at length about the potential consequences and positives of posting this video before ultimately making it public; that it was not just an angry backlash and cry for attention. Shifrin says the millennial generation gets, “such a bad rap,” and that, “expecting to be praised at work and expecting to be respected,” is not to much to ask for, and is not the same as being entitled.
It will be interesting to see where Shifrin goes from here and how this video may change her career path. Similarly, it will interesting to see what types of actions from young people follow Shifrin’s bold declaration. Will YouTube videos become the new way to tell your boss you won’t be showing up for work on Monday, or ever again? I’m sure we will have the answer to that in the near future.
