Who are they and how do you defeat them? A little insight from a millennial

Times Are Changing

Have you ever tried to talk to someone that was completely wrapped up in their phone? We’ve all had one of those “conversations.” The emergence of smartphones has completely transformed the way people interact with each other and their environment. We have learned to filter life through a device. No one is more soaked in this colossal wave of change than millennials and Gen Z. This is not a “bash younger generations” article. I happen to be a millennial myself, recently graduated from college. I’m merely pointing out that the tides are turning. The world has shifted.

Control is paramount

For the current generation of university students, control is paramount. Like a trusted professor, this powerful device has taught us that we can manage everything in our lives from the palm of our hand. Products ordered, texts tailored, and selfies curated without having to leave the sofa. We control our lives and our image with a few thumb taps. It’s not an option anymore.  It’s the new normal for us.

Efficiency is king

Efficiency is king to millennials and Gen Z. We wield our magical metal rectangle like a productivity scepter to help us minimize effort and maximize results. Expelling excess energy contradicts our ethos. We don't even want to wait for “fast” food.  Why stand in an endless line when I can order a burrito on my phone, bypass the hungry zombies, and leave with a delicious pouch of goodness in no time? It just seems illogical to do anything else.

If this is how we operate (and it is), what is standing in the way of your card office connecting with our high control, high efficiency generation? I see three major obstacles preventing millennials from having an exceptional experience.

Enemy #1 - Your Camera… It makes us nervous

On average, Millennial’s and Gen Z spend at least an hour each week taking selfies. It’s so popular, entire products, like the “Selfie Stick”, have been created to enhance the experience. This trending activity gives us control over how we present ourselves. By threatening our carefully crafted social image, other people’s cameras often add a level of anxiety to the photo taking process.  All control is lost when someone else snaps a picture of me.  I can’t delete it or make necessary edits.

Furthermore, the picture I take at your card office is forever. That’s a lot of pressure, especially when I have so many other things on my mind the first week of school. I just don't see  the point of using the school’s camera if I have one in my pocket. I’d much rather snap a selfie from my living room than walk all the way to  the card office on a hot summer day to get my picture taken by strangers and an outdated web cam.

Enemy #2 - Talking… I’d rather just text you?

A 2017 study found that 75% of millennials would rather text than talk to an individual in person. The numbers for Gen Z are similar with a study by Webex citing that 70% would rather text that talk. One reason for this rise in messaging is the fact that control is limited in face-to-face interactions. Texting facilitates conversation in a safe and regulated way. We would much rather communicate from our smartphone than in person. It’s not a personal attack on you. Rather, millennials have different ideals than previous generations.

Enemy #3 - Long Lines… Lost time

“I can’t wait to stand in this line for an hour!” – said no one ever. My grandpappy didn’t like lines, my dad didn’t like lines, and I certainly don’t like lines. No matter the age, standing in line is not on the top of the “Things to do in 2024” list. College students especially despise this. We place an extremely high value on efficiency. Watching someone take one individual picture after another, while everyone in line has a camera in their pocket, is enough to drive us bonkers. There has to be a better way - for us and for you. 

In this epic battle for a great  student experience, these three adversaries stand in our way. If we could change it we would, but we need your help.

A New Picture

The ability for millennials and Gen Z to upload a photo for our campus ID is at the tip of our fingers. Each one of us carries a high quality camera in our pocket every single day.  Unnecessary friction could be eliminated if we were able to submit a photo from our device; this allows us to operate efficiently, avoid talking, and maintain control of our image…all things we like!

This isn’t just about millennials and Gen Z. Just think what it would mean for your card office if students could receive theirr ID’s at or even before orientation (see, we can think about other people sometimes).  Instead of long lines of irritated freshman, hundreds of smiling students would be cheering your name as they carry you off into the Card Office Hall of Fame (if that’s not a thing it should be). Okay, that’s probably a little far-fetched. Card office dreams aside, an app like that would make our first experience with the card office so much more positive.

But how?

Every hero has a secret weapon to defeat their foes and win the day. Dorothy had her ruby slippers, Peter Pan had Tinkerbell’s pixie dust, and Luke Skywalker had a lightsaber. Millennials and Gen Z’ers everywhere are asking if there is an instrument out there that could defeat our enemies - saving us from talking, rescuing us from long lines, and giving us control of our ID photos? What if you were able to empower us with a specialized weapon to crush these menacing foes?

Selfies Aren’t Only For Sundays  

Remote Photo by CloudCard might just be the hero you deserve (and desperately need…unlike Gotham City). This web application allows students to upload photos to the campus card office from the comfort of their own phones. The enemies of students (and card offices) can be vanquished. Students get to take selfies and keep control (things we love); while bypassing lines, and avoiding awkward conversations (things we hate). You become the hero instead of remaining the person behind the camera that makes us nervous.

CloudCard even provides a free student worker to assist you in the photo approval and denial process. “Helper Bot” works 24/7; he never takes a break, never asks for a raise, and allows other workers to focus on more important tasks. With this new product, DMV like experiences are completely avoided. Most importantly, your students will feel understood and empowered.

The New Normal

Scores of colleges and universities representing millions of students have already started using online photo submission. This isn’t an optional feature anymore. Students expect it. At this point, you are probably shouting, “How do I get started?!” There are several options. You could sign up for free online photo submission.  You could check out an article about buying vs building online photo submission.  Or you could talk with a trusted vendor like Vision Database Systems or ColorID.