By Todd Horne and Madison Skinner
The Upstate has become a great place to work because it has established itself as a great place to play. People are inclined to seek a job in an area with cultural assets and a booming social scene. Greenville has proven itself to be a powerhouse of economic and social prosperity over the past decade, showcasing how when a region grows, its job market grows.
Young professionals are drawn to the Upstate and the many diverse opportunities the region offers. With this, our job market has become increasingly more competitive — just ask recent graduates — but that doesn’t mean young professionals aren’t being welcomed with open arms by those rooted in the community. Upstate companies are not only seeking out candidates with the technical skills required for any specific position. They’re looking for tomorrow’s leaders — individuals who possess the ability to communicate effectively through various methods, as well as candidates who demonstrate a willingness to learn and progress in their careers. Young professionals are the future of our region, and the ones who display a desire to gain knowledge and experience are the same individuals who will continue to make the Upstate a great place to work and play for generations to come.
It’s important this next generation of Upstate leaders begins to get involved in the community early on in their careers. So many young professionals — whether they are just entering the workforce or are less tenured employees in their respective companies — want to work for organizations that are making a difference in the community. They want to volunteer on a regular basis. They want to be involved on boards and with social organizations. In this, we have something to learn from young professionals. As a generation, millennials are more centered around regionalism than any other generation, recognizing the benefits of connecting businesses across county lines. Thinking with a regional mindset, a win for one county is a win for all.
Inspired by regional engagement, Ten at the Top (TATT) is dedicated to fostering trust and collaboration through partnerships and cooperation that impact economic vitality and quality of life across Upstate South Carolina. To accomplish this, Ten at the Top’s three primary objectives include the following:
- Growing trust and partnerships among elected officials, business and community leaders, and residents by initiating, convening, and facilitating discussions around key regional issues, challenges, and opportunities.
- Identifying and promoting collaborative efforts that enhance the Upstate’s physical and social infrastructure by encouraging quality growth and supporting economic vitality, natural and cultural resources, and quality of life in the region.
- Measure, analyze, and report information on the needs and progress of the region on key cross-jurisdictional issues.
In order to promote regionalism, TATT hosts a biannual Upstate Regional Summit in September that brings together our communities’ leaders in different industries with unique backgrounds to address issues that affect us all. But what about the leaders of tomorrow? Looking to the future, the idea for an event called PIQUE came to fruition as TATT’s board members recognized that while each Upstate community has young professional organizations, there is a need for an event that allows for collaboration, networking, and professional and personal growth at the regional level.
Organizations like Ten at the Top and events such as PIQUE allow candidates and regional companies to network and connect in an atmosphere where they may not have met otherwise. It’s important for young professionals to take the additional effort to attend events that promote professional growth and leadership, and it’s equally as important for companies to encourage their young employees to get involved. After all, Upstate companies are looking for top talent, and by regularly attending regional networking events and being involved in local social organizations, young professionals can meet face-to-face with their peers from across county lines, all while growing their personal networks and professional skills.
Our future leaders are eager to grow, and by continuing to foster and encourage professional development and networking opportunities, Upstate companies empower our young professionals from all 10 counties to collaborate and cultivate new relationships, turning today’s contacts into tomorrow’s business partnerships.
Todd Horne is vice president of business development at Spartanburg-based Clayton Construction Company Inc. He serves on the board for Ten at the Top. For more details about the upcoming PIQUE event, visit https://tenatthetop.org/the-pique/.
Madison Skinner is human resources manager at Greenville-based ScanSource Inc., presenting sponsor of PIQUE.
