Page 162 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2019

THEFINALSAY SHAY
SMITH
2019 Chair,
Coast Young Professionals photo courtesy of Shay Smith
When I think of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I think of home. This wasn’t always the case, however. As a transplant who relocated to the South in the spring of 2014, South Mississippi was alien to an Ohio girl like me. Growing up
in Northeast Ohio, I lived most of the year under a shroud of gloomy skies, with the occasional glimpse of Lake Erie in the background. Although some would believe I moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to see beautiful vistas of the Gulf of Mexico while enjoying the warm climate, they would be wrong. My move to the Playground of the South was purely motivated by professional growth within my industry, gaming.
I took that bold leap without knowing a single person. It was a scary — yet exhilarating — time for me. I knew
at the onset that in order to be successful and give this transition everything it deserved, I needed to get involved in this new and unfamiliar community. At the advice of my leaders at Harrah’s Gulf Coast, I sought out Coast Young Professionals as a means to that end. It turned out to be single handedly the best advice I have ever received. Past directors and members have called me the “poster child” for the organization; I like to agree with them. Over the past five years, Coast Young Professionals has connected me with people, businesses and organizations that inspire and motivate me every day, while giving me the tools and knowledge needed to excel in my career.
Due to the events and exposure offered by Coast Young Professionals, I can now say I am an active member of
our beautiful community. Through my involvement, I have attended numerous luncheons, receptions, panels and development seminars. And interestingly, among the
vast majority of these events that I’ve attended, is one common theme; one unifying thread linking nearly
every event together. It’s the discussion and emphasis placed on millennial talent and our collective influence. Moreover, speakers and panelists seem to all agree on one thing about this most fascinating generation: that we are powerful. They’re right.
The impact of young professionals extends beyond our spending power. Our greatest asset and invaluable resource is our talent. At Coast Young Professionals,
our Board of Directors and volunteers, work tirelessly
to cultivate and grow that talent. We do it through a myriad of tactics and events, including networking opportunities, community engagement, and professional development. As the 2019 chair, I am inspired by the drive, motivation and thirst possessed by our regional young professionals that I witness and work alongside every day.
As the “poster child” for Coast Young Professionals, my advice to those beginning their careers, including the more seasoned, is to get involved with our organization. My advice to our community and business leaders reading this, connect with Coast Young Professionals and its membership. Mentor these rising leaders and expose them to your business or industry.
Collectively, if Coast Young Professionals and our regional community continue to support, invest and champion young professionals — the emerging leaders of tomorrow — the future will undoubtedly be bright in South Mississippi for years and generations to come.
162 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • February 2019
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