1st Annual Career & Leadership Conference: 2024 Event Recap

Jul 17, 2024

What I love most is empowering young people to live their best lives. This is truly the reason I started Visions Internships in 2020 and, especially after COVID, I was determined to get back IN-PERSON training career-motivated, purpose-driven young professionals between the ages of 18-29.

On Friday, June 21, 2024– my vision turned into a reality when we held the 1st annual Career & Leadership Conference (CLC) for Purpose-Driven Young Professionals at the VentureX in Marlborough, MA! The energy in the room and the participant feedback were so positive, we have already booked next year’s event– so mark your calendar for Friday, June 20, 2025 @ a MA location, TBD!

2024 CLC participants having a blast creating a life by design (not default)!

Young people with wide-ranging interests and experiences attended the CLC with the primary goals of:

Connecting and having fun
Envisioning an inspiring future
Learning and growing as a leader and
Taking your career to the next level

Everyone was extremely supportive of each other, which sparked vibrant participation– from the breakfast networking to identifying values to engaging with the panelists.

The morning panel focused on in-demand and transferable skills with an emphasis on Project Management. Speakers David R. Morse, PMP and Principal of Revolution Management Consulting, LLC, Ashley Bomba, a Project Manager at Boston University, and Bryon Lewis-Cummings, a Boston Public Schools Teacher, addressed questions such as:

What are employers looking for today?
What skills are in demand, and how can you build them?
What are examples of transferable skills such as project management?

Over the lunch break participants sat in small groups to discuss challenging leadership questions such as:

If you could invent one thing to make the world a better place, what would it be?
Who has had the greatest influence on your life and why?
What are some of your favorite organizations to help others?
If you had 1 million dollars to give away, who would you give it to and why?

The afternoon panel provided in-depth insights on leadership, communication, and resiliency skills. Speakers Susan DiClemente, CEO and Master Certified Professional Coach, Emma Walter, MassBike Administrative Coordinator, and Leah Gibson, Catania Oils Content Marketing Specialist, facilitated conversations with questions such as:

What kind of leader are you? What kind of leader do you want to become?
What does it mean to be an effective communicator?
How do you handle difficult or unexpected situations-- in work and in life?

All six of these industry professionals shared their first-hand experiences and encouraged CLC participants to ask LOTS of questions, which is a great way to ‘future-proof’ your careers no matter what happens in this predictably unpredictable life.

It is important to note that 4 out of the 6 speakers were young professionals who had been in previous training programs offered by Visions Internships and could relate closely to CLC participants’ experience.

The CLC was a powerful catalyst for personal growth, self-discovery, and professional development. Here are 9 themes that emerged in an attempt to recap this transformative event:

Ask the Right Questions - It’s been said, the questions we ask shape the quality of our lives. Rather than focusing on what's wrong with themselves or a given situation, participants were encouraged to ask, "What's missing that would make a difference?"
Embrace Multi Passionate Lives - Many young professionals are multi-passionate, exploring various interests and talents. The conference celebrated this tendency, urging attendees to keep exploring and to believe in themselves.
Overcome Self-Imposed Limitations - A powerful message was "Don’t should on yourself." This phrase served as a humorous reminder to avoid the trap of self-imposed limitations– as well as limitations placed on you by others.
Value Lifelong Mentorship - David Morse, my Project Management mentor, reminded attendees that what we do in college does not define our entire lives. Our values evolve, and it's essential to find fulfillment in our work. He stressed the importance of family and personal happiness over merely making money, illustrating how our priorities can also shift over time.
Build Essential Skills - Many top qualities employers sought 10 years ago (i.e. the ability to make decisions, solve problems, and plan and organize work) are similar to skills employers seek today, such as project management, communication skills, and critical thinking. Generative AI and other technological advancements require getting comfortable and creative asking questions and seeking understanding.
Focus on Relationships - Often people avoid networking because it feels daunting, but the conference provided practical strategies to overcome this fear. Participants were encouraged to shift the focus from themselves to building authentic relationships.
Align Personal and Professional Values - High value alignment between personal and professional values is key to fulfillment. Participants were encouraged to identify their deep internal values and find organizations that align with these values.
Volunteer for What You Care About- Volunteering was highlighted as a powerful way to gain experience and connections while making a difference. The conference encouraged a mutual relationship approach, where both the volunteer and the organization benefit.
Persist through Resilience - The CLC featured inspiring stories of overcoming challenges and building resilience. One speaker shared how she had to navigate a difficult job without support but found new hope and confidence working with Visions Internships. She said, "The networking, informational interviews, and real-world skills I learned allowed me to find a job I love by negotiating better conditions-- now that I know my worth."

In summary, by asking the right questions, embracing multi-passionate lives, overcoming self-imposed limitations, and building essential skills, you can design a life you love. Through mentorship, networking, and aligning personal and professional values, we have the power to create meaningful and fulfilling careers.

Speaking of 'multi-passionate'... here I am holding up all of the business cards (jobs!) I have had since graduating college in 2001-- just a few months before 9/11. I get it!

I believe the Career & Leadership Conference (CLC) was a successful endeavor worth building upon– offering young professionals valuable insights and lifelong tools to navigate their careers and, in fact, create a life they love.

I hope you’ll join us at the 2nd annual CLC next June!

Amy

P.S. Feel free to drop me an email ([email protected]) or call/text

(508-654-0409) if you would like to help shape next year’s conference. #CoCreatingAWorldThatWorks