Virtual Events for Spring —
Virtual Event Helps Enhan
Nina A. Koziol
When you can’t get together in person,
the next best thing is connecting virtually and that’s what ILCA’s Young Professionals did for their March 5th event. “What better way to spend a Friday afternoon,” said Greg Johnston of McAdam Landscaping.” More than 40 people participated in the program, “Unmasked: How 2020 Changed an Entire Generation of Young Landscape Professionals.” Most of the attendees ranged in age from 18 to 34 and the group was pretty much split 50/50 male and female. The meeting began with a short video from ILCA member Conserv FS, featuring a virtual walkthrough of their facility and products. It was followed by breakout sessions that looked at challenges of day-to-day work, elements of the perfect work/life balance, leveraging professional relationships and networking. “I’m new to this industry, said Coraima Amaya Pagan of Rent-a-Gardener. This was her first Young Professionals event. “I’m an office manager for a local landscaping company, looking to learn more and network.” She and others discussed the challenges of working during the pandemic, goal setting, using social media and moving ahead in their careers.
“ILCA is a huge help—networking, the trade show, the seminars and the open houses,” said 26-year-old Rosalva Duenez of Russo Power Equipment in Frankfort. She’s been with the company for six years. For her, networking and social media outlets are a big help especially for their customers. Her co-worker, Yasmin Chavez, brought a fresh approach to the company’s social media marketing. “We’re doing something more with the content that reaches out to our customers—something they can relate to,” Chavez said. “We send out emails three times a week so they’re not overwhelmed.”
Career Roadmap
Do you feel like an adult, like a pro? That question was posed in one of the sessions. “More and more every year—I push myself out of the comfort zone,” said Tim Sweeney, associate chair of the Young Professionals committee. “Everyone says I have so much to learn.” Tim is 34 and he’s absolutely correct—your education and work experience doesn’t stop when you get a certificate or diploma. Success is all about life-long learning and new experiences. New tools, new materials, new plants, new business strategies, new challenges. And that’s where mentors come in. Finding someone in your workplace to mentor you—someone to advise, coach and support you—will go a long way in reaching your career goals. Effective Networking Jose Jalapa has worked part-time in the industry for four Elaina Blankenhagen of Plandscape looks to the internet years and received his pesticide applicator’s license. “I’m in for career information. “I’m not really a book reader, I get the mulch department at Kramer Tree Specialists trying to information from online posts.” She’s also president of a work my way up to foreman.” Having a goal like that is key horticulture club. “I attend as many green-related events as I to moving your career in the right direction. can and I keep in contact and “friend” people on Facebook.” Recognizing what you enjoy (and dislike) early on in your Aaron Lurvey of Lurvey Landscape Supply uses Facebook career will help you determine your direction. Alex Smith, groups to post questions and ask about plant problems and he account manager for Schmechtig Landscape has been in the reads business books to stay current with trends. industry for six years, working in the nursery for two. “The There are many Facebook groups for younger members of best thing about it, I’m an outdoorsman and I don’t like to the green industry, such as Emergent: A Group for Growing be confined to an office.” Understanding what you enjoy and Professionals and ILCA Young Professionals where you can what you’re good at and setting personal goals—whether they post questions and network. are one-year or five-year goals—will keep you on track for a The Landscape Contractor 18 May 2021
