Tapping the untapped market

By John Boyanoski

LeadSC kicks off for its second year next week with the underlying goal of tapping what still is basically an untapped  talent market in the South Carolina business and leadership world.

Young professionals are those people under age 40 who are driving South Carolina’s economy by buying homes and cars, investing in downtowns, trying to stay in-state for jobs and creating new businesses.  There are roughly one million people between age 21 and 39 in the Palmetto State, but they are a somewhat embattled lot.

They get dismissed by the older generation as being “just kids” or “the trophy generation.” Or they get lost in the shuffle of little opportunity to take leadership roles in the community.  Many younger South Carolinians want to be involved, but many communities don’t see them as an asset.

That is where LeadSC comes in. This two-day conference is about creating ways for young professionals to achieve growth and to make South Carolina a better place for young professionals.

But what does a better place for young professionals mean?  What does it mean to be a place where young professionals want to live? A place where they want to work? There are many facets.

Of course, jobs and careers are a key need. South Carolina has faced mixed results when it comes to creating opportunities for young professionals. While South Carolina colleges graduate more than 15,000 students each year, many choose to leave or have to leave the state in order to find jobs.   However, most economic development leaders know that young professionals are needed to drive the state forward.

But it has to be more than just work. There has to be the opportunity to grow at work and in the community. To be able to create positive change. The ability to help steer a better South Carolina. There needs to be leadership opportunities.

However, work only goes so far. South Carolina has to be a place they want to live. With young professionals, that could mean different things to different members. Some want nightlife. Some want recreation. Some want good schools. Some want access.

But whatever it is, it needs to be strong. It needs to be reachable. It needs to be understood. It needs to be told.

It is a very tough task. One that has vexed many communities nationwide. And LeadSC is taking that task head on. The LeadSC conference unites young professionals with top leadership throughout South Carolina in a dynamic, open environment that encourages personal, professional and community development. The LeadSC vision is to encourage communication, motivation and foster meaningful relationships for a better South Carolina.

A committee consisting of young professionals from across the state including Charleston, Aiken, Greenwood, Greenville, Spartanburg, Columbia, Summerville, Anderson, Conway and Hartsville helped create the 2015 conference schedule. This group worked hard to make a conference that will appeal to young professionals.

While the vast majority of the major metro areas in South Carolina have some kind of young professionals group, they vary greatly in size, scope and standards. One  goal of this year’s conference is to gain more insight into the status of the young professional in South Carolina.

We want to see what parts of the state are doing better at retaining young professionals, and see how we can replicate best practices throughout South Carolina.

The event kicks off with an opening address by Gov.  Nikki Haley and will feature breakout sessions and forums on topics ranging from getting involved in local government to investing to networking to office communications. The goal of LeadSC is to engage young professionals in topics that interest them as well as inspire them to go back to their communities and make a difference.

John Boyanoski is the president/owner of Complete Public Relations in Greenville and is on the LeadSC executive committee.  He is the former chairman of PULSE, the Greenville Chamber’s young professional organization. Learn more at www.leadsc.net  ~