NJCC - Top5 Reasons to Join NJCC Young Professionals Group

Amirah Hussain, N.J. Chamber of Commerce Director of Government Relations & Chris Lowicki, Operations Coordinator join Tara Thurber to share their views on professional networking as a youth in business.

Stop by their Young Professionals Networking Event hosted by DefinedTalent and sponsored by Withium on Thursday, May 9 from 6 - 8:30 PM at DefinedLogic's Studio Red Bank (200 Monmouth Street, Suite 325, Red Bank, NJ, 07701).

Top5 Reasons to Join NJCC Young Professionals Group

1. Community 
2. Practice
3. Opportunity
4. Mentorship
5. Confidence

Register for networking event here - https://bit.ly/3JeaOGP

Transcript

Tara Thurber: 0:00

Hey everyone, welcome back to Top5 brought to you by DefinedTalent. We are a results driven service working with clients to connect them with quality talent as well as working to make an impact within the recruiting industry. We talk straight about today's professional world with real world professionals, experts in recruitment, job seekers and business owners alike. Have a question for us. Send it in and you might spur our next conversation. I'm Tara Thurber, co founder and director of Director of Talent partnerships here at DefineTalent. And joining me today are two amazing humans. Chris Lowicki Operations Coordinator, and Amirah Hussain, Director of Government Relations from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. Hi, how are you both today?

Amirah Hussain: 0:51

Doing well, thank you so much for having us on on your podcast today, Tara?

Tara Thurber: 0:56

Absolutely.

Chris Lowicki: 0:57

Yeah, thank you, we really appreciate it.

Tara Thurber: 0:58

Absolutely very excited to have the two of you on today. And I just want to kind of jump in here. I know, you know you both of you are part of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. And there's been a group that has branched off of that called Young Professionals. Very interested to see if either one of you can explain the young professionals group and how it got started.

Chris Lowicki: 1:26

Mind if I take this one? Okay. So Young Professionals at the Chamber was

Amirah Hussain: 1:27

Go ahead! Yep. And here at the Chamber, you know, we host a technically started back in 2019, by two former employees. And then obviously, pandemic came and kind of squashed it, there was no networking events, nobody was allowed to get together, they also kind of rose up in the organization and other lot of different events throughout the year. But I think responsibilities. So it was kind of just thrown in a filing cabinet for a couple of years. And then around February 2023, Amirah and I were approached with trying to get it started up again. And we just went for it. And here we are a year later, we've had several events, we've ballooned up the distribution list. And yeah, that's the story. one thing that we noticed with our attendance is that we don't often see a lot of young faces in the room. And so we wanted to create a space for young professionals to feel comfortable to come and network and connect with others, that would be on a similar boat as them and sort of just share some of the struggles that we're dealing with on a day to day basis, personally and within our careers.

Tara Thurber: 2:45

I love that. What would you say your main hope for the Young Professionals in the future is what's the main drive behind it?

Chris Lowicki: 3:00

For me, it's for Young Professionals to be a main stage here at the Chamber, we're still kind of in the infancy stages, most of our board doesn't even know about it yet. So for me, it's to be as big as prominent as something like the Walk to Washington, or the business summit that you went to down at Atlantic City where people are looking forward to it and people within our member companies. You know, as soon as somebody gets onboarded, they get directed right towards us.

Tara Thurber: 3:30

I love that. I love that. So, so much. And then, nowadays there are so many young professionals graduating college, getting out into the workforce. What would the two of you think are the biggest challenges facing young professionals today? And how can they overcome them?

Amirah Hussain: 3:53

So I mean, I'll just start with a few things. I mean, I know I mentioned that young professionals are facing a lot of challenges these days, I just would want to start with maybe like workplace stress, all working very hard and dealing with a lot of issues personally and otherwise. And I think burnout has become a real thing, especially with the shift to sort of like a hybrid or remote work setting. And so people, I mean, you might not even be leaving your house the entire day. And it's hard to sort of draw that line between work and personal and it's hard to turn that work brain off and switch to relaxation mode. And so that's one of the issues I've heard a lot of young professionals dealing with. And so I think that's also a place where a young professional group can be really valuable. I mean, it's a great opportunity to get out of the house, or get out of the workplace and sort of just connect with people professionally and personally and, and talk to them about the struggles that you're dealing with and maybe grow your network and grow yourprofessional career. Chris, anything to add?

Chris Lowicki: 5:14

Yeah, I think that the burnout and the struggling with this new hybrid work environment, I know people that are in the office five days a week, and they're just as burnt out as people that are working home five days a week.

Tara Thurber: 5:30

Yeah (laughs).

Chris Lowicki: 5:30

It doesn't really seem to be a magic bullet for

Tara Thurber: 5:31

Yeah (laughs). it. I'd also say economic stressors are huge for our generation. Everyone's telling us, we're not going to see social security, we're never going to own a home. And I know for me, I have like six figures worth of student loan debt.

Chris Lowicki: 5:47

It's more than just finding a job. It's all those little outside factors that that play a big factor. But there's so many different things. I feel like the world today with technology and everything, it's just it's so crazy. And I feel like older generations thought that we would just kind of be used to it growing up in it. And I feel like a lot of us are struggling. So I can't tell you how many people that are on social media diets, or have just completely quit social media, in general. And that actually brings up a good point, I think generational differences in the workplace are interesting to manage. The gap between Gen X and Boomers, I don't think is that large culturally, but the gap between Gen Z and Boomers are there. I mean, they're basically two separate types of people. So navigating that, especially in a smaller office setting can be pretty challenging, but you just you roll with the punches, and you learn and, like Amirah said that the best way to learn is from other young professionals and to get out there, see what other people experiences. You're not alone, a lot of these experiences are incredibly versatile. We're all we're all struggling with it, but we make

Tara Thurber: 6:59

Yeah, it's hard when you talk about the whole it. work life balance, and hybrid and burnout, and it's so real, I feel like we are all always plugged in. And it's like technology burnout on top of it all. And trying to navigate your way through that. And getting out of the house is sometimes it can give people social anxiety now, because of COVID, or being home so much. So I think that's one thing too, for young professionals is, if we can all get out together, we're all dealing with it together. So by getting in person with one another, you can share those struggles, and hopefully learn different ways to get through it. That kind of leads me into my next question, in a post-COVID environment? How can young professionals find this work life balance with demanding careers or different work situations? What are the young professionals doing nowadays, to kind of get out of that mindset, or switch their mindset?

Amirah Hussain: 8:20

So I would definitely say that prioritizing your well being should be at the top of everybody's list. And I think young professionals are actually better at it maybe than the previous generation. I mean, that is at the top of their list, having a work life balance is at the top of their list, whereas maybe for previous generations, it wasn't. And that was maybe a luxury that some of them couldn't couldn't afford, but prioritizing your mental health, making sure that you are engaging in hobbies, or exercising or hanging out with your friends once or twice a week, at least. It's just so important to recharge and reset, because if you don't fill your own glass, you're not going to have anything to pour for any other type of work. And ou want to bring your best to every situation, you want to bring your best self to work. You want to bring your best self to everywhere else. And so you can't do that. If you're not taking care of yourself first.

Tara Thurber: 9:32

Which I think can be a big a big switch up from years ago, it was work, work, work 10 hours a day, 12 hours a day because you needed to prove yourself and there was a different form of sickness and burnout that came from that. So I do feel like the younger generations are putting their health first. But there's still that struggle of because they're used to what they've been told right? Or how they've been brought Up to now realizing that it is important to put that health first because you're right, Amirah, like you said, if you can't fill up your own cup of water first, what do you have to give other people? And I think that is something that individuals need to realize, is, I do say, now there's no work life balance, it's just the life blend. Because there can be so much flexibility with opportunities, and different work environments. And I do feel one thing that's been coming up a lot in conversation is setting up a routine for yourself, if you have a solid routine, where you're getting up in the morning, and you're working out, or you're doing your meditation, or you're doing some sort of self care to set yourself up, to show up for your work day, at 110%. And then it's hard to say but shutting off at the end of the day, disconnecting at the end of the day, and I have a tough time doing it, I feel like I'm always plugged in. And nowadays, it's that fast response, you want to be able to give that quick response or get something out or people are utilizing their downtime through scrolling, scrolling through social media, and that is not healthy, that is not healthy for an individual for your mindset. And so I think as more information can be shared with individuals on how to find the disconnect, how to be okay with that, I think is something that a lot of people struggle with, and we have to keep reminding them even business owners and leadership needs to almost set boundaries, I think we all need to set certain boundaries again, or reset certain boundaries in order to make sure you can still put yourself first. Create the balance that you need for your particular work environment and lifestyle, right?

Chris Lowicki: 12:22

Yeah, absolutely. And I think I know, this has kind of become a buzzword. But workplace culture is huge.

Tara Thurber: 12:29

Very.

Chris Lowicki: 12:29

Finding a place like figuring out what you want, and finding it. You know, one of the benefits of this post-Covid world is, there's a plethora of options, again, just at home, just in the office or a hybrid. Personally, I like hybrid, when I got COVID At some point last year, so I wasn't going to come into the office for a week, and I was like tearing my hair. But then on the flip side, like two months

Tara Thurber: 12:52

(laughs) later, I was in the office for five straight days, and I was looking around to my older coworkers because I'm like, how did you guys do this? For 30/35 years, this seems impossible. So I feel like, you know, really figuring out what works best for you. Figuring out what you enjoy about the current job you're in, and then not being afraid to go out and find it. Because there are so many options. It's not all about money, or the name of the organization. It's really about what's going to make you feel your best what's going to fill your cup. Yeah, amazing. And so true. I mean, the the company culture right now, when I'm speaking to candidates, that's of utmost importance, they want to know that there's culture, they want to know that there's flexibility, they want to know that there's support and appreciation. As well as philanthropy and so many other things that are out there for businesses to be doing. Professional development is super huge. A young professional wants to join a team that they're going to learn and continue to grow with. Super, super important. Now, kind of switching gears a little bit, keeping inflation and our current economy in mind. How can young professionals effectively manage their finances and plan for their future? Chris, I know early you had mentioned Oh, you're never going to own a home. So what can these young professionals do now to start preparing for that or figuring that out?

Chris Lowicki: 14:40

When you figure it out, let me know (laughs). Because I'm still trying my best. I'm 24 years old. I'm still living at home like many of my my friends and peers.

Tara Thurber: 14:50

Yeah.

Chris Lowicki: 14:51

We're just we're trying our best you know, I obviously the easy answer is YouTube podcast. I mean, they're like the second lot like the second largest sector of podcast is financial podcasts and, and all that stuff. But obviously you have to have real interest in it. And it can be tough, especially if you're dealing with burnout, or you're dealing with a difficult work life balance. Because you know what, like, for me like my indulgences are like going out to eat, or hanging out with friends and grabbing a couple drinks if that's how I relaxed, but it costs me $100 every time. How do you justify one or the other? So I wish I had a better answer. But I'm looking for it just like a lot of young professionals. So, again, get out there and talk to others. Just talk to others. That's, that's, that's my best advice.

Tara Thurber: 15:41

I love that, Chris Amirah. Do you have any advice on that front?

Amirah Hussain: 15:46

Yeah, well, no, I think Chris put it wonderfully. We're all sort of out here struggling with inflation and the rising costs of everything, not only rent, but food and anything you can think of, every bill under the sun, it just continues to rise. So I mean, that can be really painful. towards a young professionals bottom line. And I mean, there are the typical cookie cutter responses, make sure you're putting away money in your 401K, make sure you're budgeting, make sure you have an emergency fund with X amount of money in it. But really, I mean, that only makes sort of a dent in a hole (laughs). Don't spend maybe $7 on your latte every day. But like I said, it just makes a dent. Like a tiny little dent in all of this. So unfortunately, we're also trying to figure that out. But I think that's the benefit of the young professional community, we can all come together and share some of these experiences and maybe laugh about it a little bit.

Tara Thurber: 16:58

(laughs) And it's so true, because it's not, I think there's a lot of people out there trying to figure it out. And not just young professionals, and I can't stress enough that you need to continue to keep putting yourself out there, you need to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. You need to allow yourself to be vulnerable. Because you're not alone out there. There are so many people that are out there, trying to make an impact, trying to find their career, build their profession, figure out the financial aspects of life. So I agree, now, networking has just taken such a different. There's a different energy about networking now too. And I think some young professionals may get really nervous and have that social anxiety. But just know and believe that, more often than not, the person that's walking in next to you probably feels the same way. And that's where you just say hi. And you take it from there. So I think that's one thing that has been become more and more apparent, this year, as well, is going to those networking events, putting your name out there, you can always post in and send emails and talk through a screen. But it's being in person together, sharing that energy, sharing that conversation, that that really allows I feel more genuine and authentic conversations to take place.

Amirah Hussain: 18:45

I absolutely agree. And I can say from personal experience, it's very anxiety inducing. And it's scary to put yourself in a new setting where you know, you may not know anybody at all. And so, it's really important, though, to do that. Because the more you do it, the less scary it will be. And I mean, I've done this before, too, but if you could grab a friend to go with you, it can really take a lot of the pressure off. And you both do a little bit of networking and you grab some dinner afterwards. It's therapeutic. So there's definitely workarounds for that.

Tara Thurber: 19:28

I love it. What were you gonna say, Chris?

Chris Lowicki: 19:31

I was just gonna give a quick shameless plug that the New Jersey Young Professionals, exactly like Amirah said, like we we've had to deal with this for our work. The you know, the story I always tell is, you know, I was 22 years old coming out of college and I get this job. And I find out I'm going to these events. I don't know what networking is, I don't know what networking event is. And I'm told to just start walking up to people and I'm walking up to like the CEO of JCP&L and PSE&G and it's terrifying. I was definitely thrown into the fire. So to combat that, with the whole goal of Young Professionals is to build the complete opposite environment as relaxed as possible. So you don't have to worry about these big imposing people and these big names. It's just people that look like you, that act like you, that talk like you and you're just hanging out, you're having a drink, you're eating a little bit of food, and you're just hanging out. But with enough practice, that translates into the big time, the big leagues. Yea know?

Tara Thurber: 20:28

I love that, too, Chris. I's so true. And talking about when we think about getting out in networking, I'd love to, you know, we've gone through a lot right now. But maybe we can just provide our Top5reasons on why young professionals need to get out and network. What are both your thoughts for the Top5?

Chris Lowicki: 20:54

Want me to start? Or do you want to start? Alright, because I haven't taken about this.

Tara Thurber: 20:58

Okay (laughs).

Chris Lowicki: 20:59

I think community, I think that's a really tough thing for our generation. There's a lot of great literature out there. Now, there's no more public spaces, or public meeting places to find that sense of community, you know, people make fun of Knights of Columbus and all that kind of stuff. But they were communities. So community. Practice, as I said earlier, it because you're gonna have to network eventually. So you might as well get the practice and lay that base now. I would say, opportunity is another huge one, as we said, If you don't like where you're at, sorry, you don't like where you're at network of other people, find out what their organizations are like, and go there, try and apply, try and work there. The fourth thing,

Amirah Hussain: 21:45

I'll just pop in.

Chris Lowicki: 21:48

Jump in.

Amirah Hussain: 21:49

You know, I think, one not one other important piece of networking is the mentorship that you can potentially get, I mean, you might find somebody that you really admire, or they may be on a career path that you really like. And so, mentorship is extremely important for professional development. And I mean, there's, you want to have a mentor whoever they are. And then the last thing I'll just add is just boosting professional confidence. Getting out there making yourself comfortable with just talking about yourself, because that's not always easy for everyone. Give the elevator pitch about yourself, brag about the great things that you're doing. And just get comfortable talking in a professional setting. I think that's that's really important.

Tara Thurber: 22:38

Excellent. These Top5 are super important. I could not agree more. And I will put another little plug out there that everybody listening we have a networking event we'd love everybody to come to the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals are having an event at DefinedTalent's space in Red Bank, New Jersey on Thursday, May 9. It is sponsored by Withium and hosted by DefinedTalent in the DefinedLogic studio, studio Red Bank and from 6 to 8:30, 6 - 9? I should know the dates and times I know it's May 9.

Chris Lowicki: Its to 8: 23:20

30 but I'm sure it might go a little long.

Tara Thurber: 23:24

We'll make sure to send out the details when we post this podcast. But Amirah and Chris are so excited to have you on this podcast to share what you're doing at the New Jersey chamber of commerce with young professionals. Any support, we are here to definitely support and I'm excited to see you all on May 9, as well as you some some fresh faces and some young professionals out there.

Chris Lowicki: 23:52

Thank you so much for the opportunity, and I really appreciate both.

Amirah Hussain: 23:55

Likewise.

Tara Thurber: 23:57

Excellent. Thank you both again. We are defined talent, a defined logic service coming to you at top five. Make it a great day.