They communicate faster and change jobs more frequently. They use cell phones and instant messenger. And as graduation draws closer, Penn State students join a different generational approach to the workplace.

Known as Generation Y, people between age 16 and 27 make up 21 percent of the workforce, and 10 million more are expected to be employed in the next five years, according to a study done by RainmakerThinking Inc., this year. "Today's young people are the highest maintenance and highest performing in the history of the world," said Bruce Tulgan, founder of RainmakerThinking, which interviews and studies young people in the workplace. "They're valuable, and they know it."

The study also found that Generation Y is becoming more accustomed to living at a faster pace and wants more customized products, from clothing to food.

At Penn State, students own more PalmPilots, instant messaging devices and cell phones than in the past, said Bob Orndorff, associate director of MBNA Career Services.

"This generation is used to talking in blurbs rather than full sentences," Orndorff said. "The communication gap seems to widen, as the older generation didn't grow up with this technology."

Unlike previous generations, those in Generation Y is accustomed to instant communication and having information at their fingertips, Tulgan said. "They're tuned into the world in a way which other generations are faking," Tulgan said.

P.J. Montesanti (junior-management information systems) said he uses computers and cell phones on a regular basis and plans to continue using them in the workplace.

"It makes it easier to meet up with people and find out what's going on," he said.

After witnessing corporate scandals like Enron, Generation Y doesn't feel the need to remain loyal to a particular company, Tulgan said. "The older generation figured they had to climb up the ladder and let the system take care of them," Tulgan said. "Generation Y wants to know what they get right away. They're much more in tune with the reality of today's workplace."

Some Penn State students said they didn't plan on staying with the same employer through their entire career.

"I'll probably stay with the same company for a while, but not for my whole career," Joe Gyekis (graduate-geography) said.

Drew Mattern (junior-criminal justice) said his decision to stay with an employer or switch depends on what he is offered.

"Whether I stay with the same company depends on a lot of things, like the ability to move up and increase wages," Mattern said.

An uncertain economy and high layoff rates also caused students to change their perceptions, Orndorff said.

"This generation has seen the workforce merge and eliminate positions," Orndorff said. "People now are asking 'What's best for me?' "

Students also recognize that they need more than a diploma to get hired, Orndorff said.

"So many people have degrees now, so there's more competition when getting hired," Orndorff said. "Student realize they need internships, an appreciation of diversity and extracurricular activities."