Generation Y – making an impact…

Generation Y is Generation Is… Living it, experiencing it, making a mark, taking bold decisions and complete responsibilities, leveraging digital world to help them connect and driving higher level of motivation, conviction and willingness to succeed – meet Vidhya, a vivacious Gen Y lady, currently doing her Masters in Water Management in Europe on a European Commission Scholarship. I talked to her couple of weeks ago thru an introduction from her brother who is my colleague.

Vidhya ( means knowledge ) is the only Indian in her batch of 30 students undergoing this International Masters program that has taken her to 5 universities in Europe – Germany, UK, France, Hungary and Spain over the last 18 months. She is now completing her master’s thesis at ETH, Switzerland. A truly international class where each student is from a different country – this program for Gen Y is helping them become tomorrow’s global leaders by experiencing the world – one step at a time. Vidhya completed her undergraduate study at Chennai, India and wanted to do her masters / graduate study abroad. She competed for the European Commission Scholarship among others and was selected to be the only Indian to get thru in her class. What a proud moment for her! She accepted this as it provided her the opportunity to explore the world along with the studies. No wonder she has traveled to over 15 countries in Europe and Africa in last 18 months!! Highly driven and fearlessness are her second nature…

Even before she got to Germany for her first semester, she had already connected with all her classmates thru Facebook and LinkedIn and had set up her network to explore the world. She has leveraged other online sites to make friends in countries where she had never been before and met like minded friends thru cultural exchanges programs. She has taught them yoga and how to make Indian vegetarian foods! Her response on exploration demonstrated faith and trust to be at the center stage -“Go with good heart and open mind and when you don’t want bad for anyone, why would bad come to you…” What a pious thought…

She is equally focused on her responsibilities as she thinks ahead on getting her Doctorate… It’s a “give back to India time” for her as she thinks through her future… Amazing is even an understatement when one listens to this young Gen Y woman leader… At this young age, her thoughts are so clear – she wants to do her Hydrology research in Rajasthan, which is among the most dry Indian states, and in the process give back to the country that has given her the opportunity to learn and explore the world. Salutation to you – young leader…

Vidhya is the face of tomorrow and a clear leader – woman leader – yes, Gen Y – sure… This generation is already making an impact…