1. A study in January demonstrated that government HR professionals are biased against selecting young applicants based on false generational stereotypes. The same study thoroughly debunks those stereotypes.
   
   
2. A panel was held this week where a speaker admitted to his federal colleagues that "We treat the millennials and Gen-Xers as these alien breeds coming in."
   
   
3. A NextGov reporter last week wrote an article explaining why the government should fear hiring employees born after 1980. The article highlighted the "lax attitudes" of those under 30 and the need to "limit use of inappropriate" technologies. NextGov chose this emphasis although it was not in-line with Symantec's more balanced summary.
   

This is troubling, because it continues to send the wrong message to young professionals that they need not apply for government work. The government needs to be embracing this demographic, especially those in web and IT professions.

From what I've seen, it is often under-30 staff and interns who make the most positive impacts on government websites. Once they come in the door, they are readily seen as experts in their field and are highly valued. And they are not security risks. They are dedicated and loyal civil servants who would happily follow clear and sensible IT policies.

Next January we will have a President who got elected by using the dreaded Web 2.0 technologies. It is not unlikely that the same president will bring a revolution to the government IT and web worlds. So now is the time to evolve and learn what this information revolution is and what it means for .gov.