Empowering the Leaders of Tomorrow
Written by: Carly Genoy, Senior Associate, Resource Management (she/her)
Recently, I was at a workshop that posed the question, “What about your job are you most passionate about?” Three things immediately came to mind. The most obvious answer is the people I work with each day. The second is championing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the business. And the third, which holds a spot near and dear to my heart, is driving emphasis and guidance for early careers/young professionals. Providing a unique perspective on talent as it relates to skill sets, business needs, and operational and financial demands is thrilling, challenging, and allows me to wear several hats.
“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” – Nelson Mandela
As an individual who has made a commitment to work in the business of people, also known as Talent Management, this quote plays a significant role in my life. This past October, Publicis Health’s Early Careers Program hosted its annual Early Careers Conference. As a participant and contributor, I know firsthand the benefits of early career development and the importance of supporting the growth of young professionals across any business.
A 2021 study conducted by Lorman Education Services revealed that:
87% of millennials believe that learning and development in the workplace are important
76% of millennials believe that professional development opportunities are some of the most important aspects of company culture
86% of millennials would be kept from leaving their current position if training and development were offered by their employer
Investing in early career development is not only essential for personal and professional growth, but also a strategic retention tool with financial impact. Josh Bersin, of Deloitte and Josh Bersin Academy, believes that the cost of losing an employee includes hiring, onboarding, ramp-up time to reach peak productivity, and missed or delayed revenue, not to mention its impact on company and team morale.
Creating relevant ways for young professionals to stretch themselves also goes hand in hand with our “people first, people strong” philosophy. Before hiring externally to fill a staffing gap, Razorfish Health strives to train and develop entry level employees to upskill them to the next level, whether that is becoming a manager or preparing them to fill “mid-level positions.”
At last year’s Early Careers Conference, content was curated based on the needs of the attendees. The theme of the conference revolved around control of one’s wealth, health, and relationships. Discussions about financial wellness, navigating corporate benefit plans, bridging the generational gap with colleagues (today's workplace now has 4 generations), and advocating for oneself were held and greatly received by attendees. These meaningful and carefully curated conversations not only build culture but also arm individuals with the tools they need to succeed in the workforce.
People managers, leadership, and educators must actively cultivate and empower young professionals within their businesses. Retention, enabling networking opportunities, building self-awareness, instilling confidence, providing real-time solutions, improving productivity, and cultivating a sense of community are just a few of the benefits early career development can provide. Helping employees grow their experience and career while also understanding how it intersects with company growth and value is a key function of Resource Management. Any investment made in learning and development opportunities not only fuels the personal and professional growth of our employees but, ultimately, the agency as well.
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Are you ready for a change? Are you looking for a place that will help you reach new career milestones? Just want to work with great people who care about you? Check out our open roles, because at RFH we know that you are not your resume; we understand that you are not your work; and we respect that you are so much more than a job description. You are you. So come be you and do you with us.