First Globals Generation

I recently learned about the "First Globals Generation" in an article in International Educator magazine, published by NAFSA: Association of International Educators.  I immediately recognized my two sons in that term describing the current generation of 18-30 year olds.  Apparently the term "First Globals" was coined by John Zogby, founder of Zogby International, a global consulting firm out of Utica, NY.  This led me to Mr. Zogby's web site, www.zogby.com, where I learned that he is the son of a Lebanese immigrant and he is interested in many of the topics that interest me, such as the role of small business in the global economy and the role of small rural communities in the creative economy, a subject of the writings of his friend Richard Florida (see his recent remarks to the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce).  But back to First Globals.   According to the interview with Mr. Zogby in International Educator, the First Globals are the first generation to see the world as their home, whether or not they have traveled, due to the free exchange of information and ideas through the internet, television and global online social networks which have existed throughout their lives.  They expect to have four jobs by the age of 30 and ten jobs by the age of 40 and those jobs could be anywhere in the world.  They identify as citizens of planet Earth.  To quote my 19-year old son during a thoughtful discussion of the future of immigration, race relations and the human race in general (yes, a typical dinner table conversation in our home), "Mom, people my age don't see color, we just see people."  He explained in his college admission application that he dearly wanted to attend Middlebury College specifically because it brings the diversity of the world to Vermont, his beloved home state (mission accomplished, by the way).  It is fascinating to contemplate the changes that the First Globals Generation will bring to our society, our businesses and our workplaces.   About 10 years ago when I made a major change in my law career that marked my commitment to immigration law as my field of practice.  And some colleagues questioned "why immigration?"  It was very clear to me as a business and immigration lawyer that the economy was becoming global in for Vermont and that was only going to become more and more true, and immigration would become more and more of a business necessity because businesses do not want to be constrained by national borders and they want to hire the best person for a job regardless of nationality.  I saw globalization as the context for my law practice.  Now imagine seeing globalization as the context for your entire life, including friends, family, social networks, information and ideas, hobbies, vacations, work opportunities, business opportunities, everything and all at once.  This is the hallmark of the First Globals Generation and I look forward to seeing where they take us in the next 10-20 years.