To go along with our stories of Gen-Y Magic, we are also getting some exclusive interviews with some of the biggest Gen-Y leaders that are making a huge impact on the business world ad in the lives of others. Ryan Healy is our first subject for this series. Ryan is one of the founders of Employee Evolution which tail spun into Brazen Careerist, a career center for Gen-Y. I consider Ryan to be a giving opportunist. Instead of taking credit and making change himself, he gives others voices as evident by the Brazen Blogger Network, a network of over 100 Gen-Y Bloggers, basically the voices of the Millennial Generation. I got him for a few minutes the other day and this is what he had to say!

Gen-Y Magic: So, I consider you and the Brazen Team to be creating magic, by empowering others to speak their mind, network and grow their own careers through the network you built. Do you think you are creating magic?

Ryan: Yes, I believe Brazen Careerist is creating magic, but what we’re really doing is providing a common place for the community to create the real magic.

GYM: I’m sure you read a lot of what is written on BC, what are some posts or moments that made you think, wow, I made the right decision to move to Madison and help all these young people out?

Ryan: Every morning that I wake up, I know I made the right decision. Starting Brazen Careerist, and getting the chance to connect with so many motivated people every day has been a life changing experience.

It’s hard to choose from so many great posts and comments, but the one post that gave me chills was “Finding Light In the Dark: The Story of My Overdose,” by Jonathan Mead. I can’t imagine how difficult it was to relive and share this story with so many people, but I’m glad he did.

Some of my other favorites are “The Dark Knight Has Much to Tell us About Our War on Terror” by Tim Weaver, and “Companies: It’s Time to Gen-Yify Your Career Site” by Kristen Gissaro. I also love the “My City” posts. As you can see, I have eclectic taste.

GYM: Does Penelope create magic in the office, or do you young kids bring the magic to the office everyday?

Ryan: Ha, we all bring our own unique magic to the office every day. Penelope brings a ton of energy and a million ideas and our production/development team turns the ideas into a reality. The combination of experienced professionals and us newbies makes for a unique, but very important balance.
GYM: You talk to companies about Gen-Y and how they can incorporate them into their business. What magic can Gen-Y bring to corporate America?

Ryan: As a Generation, I really believe that we can and will change the way work, works. First, we’ve grown up with technology, so its second nature to us. Social media is changing the way companies do business, just like the internet changed how business was done 10 years ago and PCs changed the way things were done 20 years ago. Because we’ve been using social media since it was introduced, Gen Y will figure out ways to bring these new technologies to their respective companies.

Second, when the last Gen Yers graduate college, we will be the largest generation in the workforce, so we will have an incredible influence on all businesses and all industries. I see corporate America becoming much more flexible and collaborative and much less hierarchical as our Generation becomes managers and executives.

GYM: Cubicles, open floor or coffee shop?

Ryan: We spent our first 7 months in coffee shops and the past 5 months in temporary offices and cubicles. But now it’s almost time to get a real office and open things up.

I’m all about the open floor!

GYM: Laptop or desktop?

Ryan: Laptop (and a monitor when I’m in the office)

GYM: Apple or PC?

Ryan: PC, but I really want an Apple

GYM: Better young Gen-Y role model, Jaime Lyn Spears or Bristol Palin? Why?

Ryan: Neither. I’d go with Miley Cyrus. At least she’s not pregnant (yet)

GYM: That’s it, you are off the Gen-Y Magic Hot Seat!

Ryan: Thanks, that was fun!