The kids are all right

By HERB LAGOIS

The other day I heard two people chatting in line at the grocery store checkout.

“Young people these days,” one person said, “just don’t want to work.”

“Right,” said the other. “They want everything handed to them.”

I didn’t barge into their conversation, although it was tempting. I wanted to say: “You realize that every generation before us has said pretty much the same thing?” And then I wanted to say: “You don’t know how wrong you are.”

I might have added: “You have no idea what you’re missing.”

In the years I’ve been involved with Ronald McDonald House Charities, I’ve had the fun of volunteering at McDonalds restaurants. Talk about youth in action! The energy, the speed, the coordination, the camaraderie! It’s electric. 

Yesterday I stopped at a chip stand and chatted for a few minutes with the young man who served me. He was wearing a Carleton University sweatshirt, so I asked him what he was studying. Business, he said. He was working all summer and is returning to school. He was bright, articulate, helpful, and sharp. I would hire him in a heartbeat.

I had similar experiences all summer, meeting university students at three different banks. Each was upbeat and well-spoken with great people skills. They, too, impressed me.

These days I'm mentoring two wonderful young women – both fairly new to Canada. Both are driven. They are determined to succeed. I love their youthful energy. They inspire me.

When I hear people saying things like “kids these days” (with an eyeroll) or going on about “their poor work ethic”, I think of all the great young people I have met throughout my career.

In our world of design, building and renovating, we're involved with co-op programs of all levels. I used to love hiring young professionals with their new ideas, their drive for excellence and their thirst for learning. I watched as they sometimes made mistakes and cheered for them when they happened ‒ because those mistakes, which were actually learning opportunities, taught them even more.

Lagois has always been fortunate to welcome young, bright, hardworking individuals to our team. Emma Kwan, who just won a national award for our website, is our Marketing Director; Shahrzad Khezri, who, with a background in Civil Engineering and a passion for architecture and interior design, is our Project Coordinator; and Lindsey O’Donnell, another clever Carleton University student (honours law and sociology) is our Studio Coordinator.

Sophie Villeneuve, Lagois Project Development Manager; Jeff Hurdis, Lead Designer; Tom Felts and Jason Simons, Site Supervisors, started with us as new graduates. Words can’t describe how I have admired their progress, growth and accomplishments both personally and professionally.

Next time you hear people mumbling about “kids these days”, remember there is great hope for our future, because they ARE our future.

All you have to do is look. And listen. And celebrate what we have.

Because guess what? We’re in really good hands.

Herb Lagois is the founder of Lagois Design·Build·Renovate.

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