Giving Voice to our Next Community Leaders
When the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce began discussing workforce issues with local companies, one statement rang loud and clear: “We need to retain our young employees.”
“Why is that?” we asked ourselves. Setting out on a quest to find the answer, the Chamber began by partnering with “Connecting Leaders in the Community” CLiC—an already formed young professionals group in Norfolk—changing the name to the Norfolk Area Young Professionals and making it a Chamber organization. “Continuing to bring this demographic together is an important step in the workforce solution,” says Michelle Johnson, Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce Grow Norfolk Director. “This is an impressive group; one filled with forward-thinking, driven, and enthusiastic individuals, and its success is vital,” Johnson finishes.
During the first NAYP gathering, those attending (which was over 100 young professionals, by the way) completed a survey asking them the positives and negatives of Norfolk, what they would like to see added to the community, and if they were happy at their current jobs. The answers weren’t all too surprising. In a Forbes Magazine article about cities where young professionals were most happy, each city provides a variety of things to do both during the day and at night. Our surveys revealed the same results. Norfolk Area Young Professionals are searching for things to do; both while the sun is up as well as once it sets. Although Norfolk is very small in comparison o the top ten cities on this list, it can still provide what its young professionals want. Norfolk’s young professionals are no different from those living in larger cities. They are looking for recreation, nightlife, and community service opportunity.
They are looking for chances to get engaged… they want to give back. The NAYP group gives voice to an age group that otherwise isn’t typically heard. “The growth of young professionals is so important over the next five to ten years, so the needs of this demographic need to be important to Norfolk,” says Melinda Kozel, co-founder of the Norfolk Area Young Professionals. Norfolk is ready to hear what its young professionals desire in this community.
The NAYP’s have been invited to attend several focus groups put on by area businesses including Northeast Community College and the Norfolk Area Community Foundation. Businesses already see the importance of this group. They realize that the YP’s are the future. “The YP group provides a platform for our voices to be heard and a vehicle to make real change,” says Kozel.
In addition to the social aspect, we wanted to know if Norfolk’s young professionals were happy with their current jobs. According to a Careerbliss. com poll, “The new generation of young professionals not only finds happiness at work important—they demand it. If a company wants to find and retain the best talent, they need to work on building a culture of happiness within their organization.”
The results of our survey revealed, “yes,” most young professionals in Norfolk are happy in their current jobs.
What this tells us is that those who chose to move on, choose so because they aren’t happy outside of work. The NAYP group gives them a new outlet to meet others their ages, a monthly opportunity to socialize and network in a non-boardroom atmosphere, and a platform for giving back to their community. Dennis Houston, Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO says, “Young professionals are the pulse of a community. Getting them engaged and giving them a voice are imperative to Norfolk’s future.” Houston goes on to say, “These people are Norfolk’s next mayor, city administrator, and chamber president,” he adds with a chuckle.
Getting involved with the Norfolk Area Young Professionals is easy. Simply “like” Norfolk Area Young Professionals on Facebook to stay up to date on all the goings on of the group, and email Michelle Johnson at johnson@norfolkareachamber.com to get your name added to the email listing.
