A millennial conversation about giving back, work/life balance and being a sponge

Businesses need to know how to adapt to a young workforce, said Dana Brune with the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, and so, the chamber�s monthly First Friday Coffee program brought together a panel of young professionals to discuss ways employers can better understand and interact with new professionals.

On the panel were Ryan Gibson, area sales manager for Drury Hotels; Toni Keesee , vice president of digital strategy for Element 74; and Julian Watkins, executive director of the Red Cross. Panelists were chosen both for their youth and to represent different aspects of Cape Girardeau�s workforce: a large corporation, a small business and a not-for-profit agency, Brune said.

As to the benefits each company can bring to young professionals, Watkins stressed the importance of being able to give back to the community, and to work a job that feels rewarding.

�Young professionals as a whole love to give back,� Brune noted.

Keesee agreed, adding if a company�s leadership makes sure a millennial worker understands the impact he or she has, that�s all to the better.

Element 74 now offers flex time and other scheduling options, Keesee added, which is another value added for young professionals.

Gibson said Drury allows some workers to telecommute, which appeals to a young professional�s desire to have better work/life balance.

And, Gibson said, Drury offers a manager-in-training program, to help boost knowledge for those employees entering the workforce straight out of college.

Collaboration is big with millennials, Brune said, and Keesee noted about 75 percent of Element 74�s team members are millennials. The company has a collaborative approach to projects, with a creative team working on each project as opposed to an assembly-line approach.

Watkins said in the eight months he�s been with the Red Cross, the organization is looking to change its face, to get younger people involved as volunteers and to increase the Red Cross� social-media presence.

As to what advice each would give to young professionals, Watkins said, �Be yourself in the professional world,� adding that authenticity and passion, as well as showing one�s true voice, are important.

Keesee said millennials� biggest advantage is their energy.

�We were all told we can succeed and win, and that�s a big drive,� she said, and one that, if properly tapped, can mean big success.

�I recommend employers reach out and open a dialog,� Keesee said, as diplomacy is a skill many young professionals could improve.

Gibson said, �Our consumer base is getting younger. Younger employees give us a valuable perspective.�

His advice? �Lean into professional development, having a mentor, being coached. ... We should appreciate our ability to be a sponge and learn where we can.�

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

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