This year’s Young Professionals Career Conversations (YPCC) may have come and gone, but the impacts of the conference remain, especially among the youths, as the
Young Professionals Career Conversations is a platform that bridges the alarming gap that exists between young professionals and leaders in the industry they play in thereby keeping them abreast with happenings and helping them find their footing towards a productive and fulfilling career.
The venue, Zone Tech Park, Gbagada, Lagos state was bursting with life and energy as over 100 participants gathered around seven key industry leaders to glean wisdom, gain clarity and instructions that will help them scale as professionals. It was a mind-blowing experience for the participants as they saw their limitations and preconceived limiting notions shattered before their very eyes. The event organizers restated that the aim of these career conversations was to aid the participants in making informed career decisions.
The Theme being “Stretch; building capacity for Impact ” couldn’t have come at any time better than this as matters such as the Future of work, digital disruption and workplace/workforce of the future continues to be a major discussion globally.
A spoken word artist Jumoke Ogunfowora, thrilled the audience with her craft leaving all with a question to ponder “Why is the catapult stretched backwards before it is fully launched?”
The first panel session moderated by Carol Ofem (marketing communications and brand strategist at Cars45) addressed “Intentional Career Planning for Young Professionals”. The array of panelists included seasoned professionals: Mr. Olamide Eyinla (HR expert and Senior Human Resource Business Partner at Nigeria Bottling company), Mrs. Funmi Omo (MD/CEO at African Alliance), Mrs. Blessing Robinson (HR Business director at SmartHR) and Mrs. Mofoluwaso Ilevbare (Confidence coach and Bestselling Author); all of who engaged the attendees in various conversations around intentional career planning.
The panel highlighted the need for a career vision and growing in the direction of the vision through passion. Growing according to the mapped trajectory requires passion and deliberate effort which in turn builds confidence and credibility. The panelist concluded that the career path may not be a straight journey, thereby encouraging the participants to be flexible on their career journey.
Senior Business Producer and Broadcaster at Channels TV, Temple Asaju engaged the second panel session in conversations centered on the future of work and how Professionals can position themselves to thrive in it. The three man panelists were Dr. Andrew Nevin (Advisory Partner and Chief Economist at PWC), Mrs. Ibilola Adefope (Lawyer and managing partner at AVID Global Consulting) and Mr. Femi Adeniyi (CEO/CSA at Simplex Business Solutions). A major take home from their session was that the future of work from the global stand point is fast paced and laced with many uncertainties.
However, these should not induce fear in young professionals as professional with relevant skillset would be highly valued and needed in the future. The panels encouraged participants to acquire skills that would be relevant for the future and suggested some skills that would position young professionals for relevance. One remarkable quote from that session was given by Mrs. Ibilola Adefope, when she stated that with “Technology and millennial, the future of Nigeria is so bright.”