We all know the challenge of young people leaving Long Island to live and work in other regions. In fact, it is stated by the year 2025 seventy-five percent of the workforce will be millennials who, if they continue to exit Long Island, will create an even larger challenge. We also know the urgent need to create jobs and connect our educational partners. It is the very reason that several years ago the HIA-LI created a Young Professionals Committee (now H.Y.P.E.) that every year creates a young professionals panel to speak to our scholarship recipients.
There were some great takeaways this year from the June 18th HIA-LI Young Professionals Scholarship Awards and Executive Breakfast held at the WizdomOne Group of Companies in Islandia. Here are a few that stand out:
- Follow your passion because passion equals excellence. Now is not the time to “settle” or second-guess your dreams.
- If you’re not sure of your career direction, use college to explore your options. Take classes that interest you . . . one of them might just ignite a ‘spark.’
- There is no substitute for hard work. (You’ve heard the expression, “The harder I work, the luckier I get. Well, it’s true.)
- Look at failures as learning opportunities. You can’t learn to succeed unless you’ve learned to fail. And when you do fail, fail hard, fail fast, and then get up and continue moving forward.
- Be present in whatever you’re doing. Put down the cell phone. Turn off the TV. Focus on people.
- It’s important to have a support system. It may your parents. It may be friends. It may be extended family. Or it may be co-workers. But no matter, surround yourself with people who are positive and supportive.
- Find work-life balance that makes you happy. It may not look like your parents, friends, or colleagues, but that’s ok. So long as it works for you.
- Make your bed every morning! Yes, starting the day in an organized way sets a positive tone for the rest of your day.
Many thanks to the stellar panel of young professionals who helped to impart these insightful pieces of advice. They were moderators Jason Hershkowitz, Account Manager and Executive Recruiter, Choice Long Island, and Gregg Pajak, Founder and Managing Partner, WizdomeOne Group of Companies. Panelists included Josiah Cheatham, Senior Business Development Representative, People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union; Adam Holtzer, Director of Business Development, Generations Beyond; Lauren Kanter-Lawrence, Director of Communications, Campolo Middleton & McCormick, LLP; and, David Whelan, Director of Development, Harvest Power.
Congratulations to the 12 scholarship recipients, all children of HIA-LI members who chose to continue their post-high school education right here on Long Island.
Want to find out more about HIA-LI’s Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs (H.Y.P.E.) Committee? Call Connor Robertson at 631-543-5355 or email crobertson@hia-li.org.
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