How I Spent My Summer Vacation

With school starting next week for most kids, I've been giving a lot of thought to the question, "How did you spend your summer vacation?" When I was laid off in April, I thought it would take a couple months for me to get back to work (I'm so much better connected than I was 8 years ago when it took almost a year). If it took more time than that, I figured it wouldn't be so bad to have the summer off. After all, I've been working almost every summer in some capacity since 1983 (yes, really), and with Wilson starting school in the fall it might be fun to play all summer.

Although I took on the role of stay-at-home mom, I tried to maintain the other part of my dual-identity and spend some time each day looking for work (which is also a full-time job). I think I've been able to balance both -- I've had at least one job-related interaction every week and still played almost every day. Now that the balance will be shifting back to my role as job seeker, I will need to answer the related question, "How have you been spending your time off?"

Well, during my summer off I ...

1. Started a blog. I think that's more accurate to say than, "became a blogger." It's been a good exercise for me to blog and something I plan to continue; I have a growing list of things to blog about. Once I get on a regular schedule again, I'll be able to carve out more time to blog more consistently. And really think about how to promote it.

2. Networked. I believe all the reports that networking is the best way to get a job. Every job I've had in my professional life came through my network. Since I've been home, I've had a lot good of coffees/lunches and calls with mentors, former colleagues, recruiters and new friends. My LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook networks have expanded. Although I don't have a new job yet, these conversations gave me good ideas about where to search, how to sell myself, and what I really want to do next. I'm closer to "springtime in Paris."

3. Freelanced. One thing that really kept me connected to the PR world during my time off was working with the folks at 3Point Communications. I have enjoyed the conversations with the network that is helping the agency get off the ground. I was also able to contribute my expertise to two RFIs for potential clients. Unfortunately, the companies looking to bring on external resources are in the same holding pattern as those hiring staff.

4. Visited family. I had the luxury this summer to make several trips to see my immediate family. Since no one lives near us, we usually find time to make one (maybe two) visits to Western and Northern NY each summer. This year I was able to help my sister pack a little before her move to VA, celebrate my niece's 5th birthday in person, make 3 trips to the Adirondacks, and spend time with my cousins in Vermont. The one summertime trip we missed this year was the annual pilgrimage to the Erie County Fair.

5. Enjoyed the summer. We had a hot and sunny summer in New England this year and I took advantage of it. I was so glad to have a pool! For the first time in years I have a fantastic tan, without using baby oil (does anyone do that today?!?). I did lots of fun things this summer, like spending several days at the beach, watching my son become a swimmer, weeding, picnicking in the front yard, and camping with friends.

I am really grateful for my summer off with Wilson, but ready for what's next.

Are Gen Xers too Busy for Facebook?

About a month ago, I read several articles about Facebook and the generation gap. One blog post asked whether Gen X was afraid of using Facebook for networking, and others talked about their low usage of social media tools compared with Gen Y and even Boomers. The following week, a report by Oxygen Media and Lightspeed Research found that 39 percent of Gen Y women proclaim themselves as Facebook addicts. Stats about Facebook accounts came out this week on Social Media Today -- more than 40% of the US population has an account.

It got me thinking about my own experience. Every morning I open email, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to check in on my contacts and look for potential job leads. Then I looked at my own circle of friends and family... maybe half of them are on Facebook or LinkedIn. I decided to do an informal survey of my fellow Gen Xers to find out what tools they use, why they are not active in social networks and how they communicate with friends/family. I received a handful of responses to an email and spoke to several more people at BBQs over the last month.

It turns out the majority of my friends who are not active in social networks are either teachers or stay-at-home moms. In their roles they are not required to spend a lot of time online, and don't have much use for LinkedIn or Plaxo. The main reason they gave for not using Facebook was lack of time. I understand. It has taken me a while to write this blog because I underestimated the amount of distraction spending all day with a 5 year-old would cause. Anyway, phone is the primary method of communication for my respondents, followed by email. I know they don't email much since I get an email maybe once a month with updates, and some people did not respond to my request for help. When they do send emails, they use it to share pictures rather than a through a photo sharing site, like Shutterfly or Snapfish.

My friends/family who do work also responded that they don't have time for Facebook. They use email more often than those at home, but spent most of their time online doing job-related activities or paying bills. Even my husband who uses LinkedIn for work complained about the time it takes to log in to a separate site when he gets the email alerts. He also claimed that it can be a major time suck because once you're on the site, there are a lot of things to do. An entrepreneur friend is on Facebook (barely), but not on LinkedIn. Although we've discussed the value of LinkedIn for job hunting and business development for my world, he doesn't see the need for it in his business. One of my cousins said he would use any of the social networking tools when his writing career took off and he saw a clear business ROI in developing/maintaining those networks. I think the new tools in Facebook and LinkedIn make it easier to group friends/companies to quickly scan for relevant information.

Privacy came in a close second as a Facebook deterrent. As some of the articles mentioned, my Gen X friends are surprised by Gen Y's need to share everything. My friends would rather send an email to a select group than risk their personal information getting into the wrong hands. Facebook, for my friends, seems to be an all or nothing activity. Perhaps if we grew up with tools that enabled us to share more, we would. Maybe Tammy Erickson, Harvard Business Review contributor and author of What's Next, Gen X? is right. She notes that as a group, Gen Xers are intensely private, mistrustful and strongly committed to a small circle of friends. I was dragged into Facebook when I was promoting Groundswell, and now I'm addicted. It's not the first thing I check every morning, but close.

Any other ideas on what's causing the generation gap? Are we more resistant to change than those a generation ahead? Maybe when our kids are in college, we'll join to check up on them.