Say hello to Pat Tang and Jaimee Salone! These two are serving as Chair and Vice Chair of the Charleston Young Professionals Advisory Council this year and have already hit the ground running. Read about their CYP journey and vision for 2024 below and make sure to say hello if you see them at our upcoming CYP events!
Pat Tang, Chair
What are your goals for CYP in 2024 and how can they benefit other young professionals?
Every young professional has something meaningful and valuable to share with the world. We can learn so much from each other and realize how much we have in common. CYP isn’t just for business-oriented professionals. We’re here to help emerging leaders connect—whether you’re in business, healthcare, the arts, or logistics, it’s not an occupation-based club. We’re all people first, who want to improve in our personal and professional lives.
I want to expose young professionals to others they wouldn’t normally come across in their day-to-day lives. So this year, I’d like to increase the breadth of our audience. We all need mentors and advisors who are not only within our field of expertise, but also outside.
How has CYP shaped your career path and personal life?
The great Oprah Winfrey once said, “Surround yourself only with people who are going to lift you higher.” I am blessed that our community and business leaders recognize my desire and drive for business success, personal development, and leadership. Not only do they recognize it, many pour their time, talent, and treasure into me, helping me become a great next generation leader, grow a thriving business, and encourage me to be the best human I can be.
None of this would be possible without the exposure and connections created through CYP. That’s why I am committed to helping make Charleston a better region for all.
What do you see as some of the biggest challenges facing young professionals in our region?
People crave connections. It’s part of being human. Yet native Charlestonians and transplants both seem to have trouble finding sincere community. It feels like I am constantly hearing statements like “I grew up here and I am looking for friends outside of my high school circles” or “I recently moved to Charleston and am looking to make friends” or “It’s hard to meet people outside of work.” So another goal I have for CYP is: create pathways of engagement and build community. When I say community, I’m not talking about the acquaintances you see a few times a year at happy hours or networking events, but rather close friends you can rely and depend on.
CYP offers events to make that initial connection, like our social, service, and professional development events. We can take this to the next level this year. Our committee members love to build relationships over coffee or lunch with individuals or invite YP’s to local events. We have dinner with each other and hang out and share about our personal lives. These are genuine friendships and we’ve got some ideas and plans this year to create more opportunities just like this for anyone interested in finding their people.
What is something you have learned through CYP that you wouldn’t have learned somewhere else?
As a twenty-something year old, it feels like you are figuring out your career, where can you afford an apartment/house, who you want to be, and what you’re going to do this weekend. It can seem like you don’t have much to offer yet. Can you tell I struggle with self-worth and self-esteem?
CYP taught me that I am a valuable part of society and I am an emerging leader. I was terrified when asked to speak at the DE&I Conference. I was horror-stricken when asked if I would consider co-chairing the council. CYP helped change my perspective of myself, of young professionals, and given me the opportunity to use my voice and have a seat at the table. Young professionals are the future and Charleston needs us.
Jaimee Salone, Vice Chair
What are your goals for CYP in 2024 and how can they benefit other young professionals?
As young professionals, we are in the early stages of our careers and thrive on understanding our purpose and making a difference. Regardless of whether we are native Charlestonians or transplants, we consider this region our home; we hold jobs here, have put down roots and enjoy the unique lifestyle that this area provides. We are constantly working to effectively manage and balance our high career aspirations, professional development opportunities, and social and extracurricular interests. I want to bring to the attention of young professionals that Charleston Young Professionals is a great solution to help manage these challenges and achieve their goals. It is a “one-stop shop” for all the resources and support they require to thrive both professionally and personally.
How has CYP shaped your career path and personal life?
I have been blessed to have had numerous unique and successful career opportunities that allow me to serve the Charleston community. Through my involvement with the Chamber and CYP, I have had the honor of developing valuable relationships with some of Charleston’s top business and community leaders, and elected officials. These individuals, who were once prominent names and faces in the news, have now become personal mentors, counselors, and peers to me.
I am grateful to have the support of CYP and those generous individuals who share their social, intellectual, and reputational capital, and who have identified me as an emerging leader with a desire to strengthen the Charleston region. They pour into me every chance they get, and their support was instrumental in making 2023 such a monumental, record-breaking year for me both personally and professionally.
What do you see as some of the biggest challenges facing young professionals in our region?
Today’s young professionals are known for being highly resilient and resourceful individuals. Despite working 40+ hours per week, we manage to have multiple streams of income, side hustles, families, and households to take care of, and may even pursue higher education or certifications. In addition, we find time to get involved with non-profits and occasionally enjoy Charleston’s booming entertainment and nightlife scene. When conversing with fellow YPs, we share concerns for understanding our greater purpose, generational divides, and our sense of belonging in the workplace, building genuine connections, and the increasing cost of living in the Charleston region.
I feel that the Chamber and CYP have done an exceptional job in developing resources and programming that address critical issues such as diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, housing attainability, career development, and charity work. It’s important to not only raise awareness of these events and resources among the young professional community but also create a warm and welcoming environment so they’ll feel empowered to get involved and engage. Let’s work together to ensure that everyone has access to the tools they need for success, growth, and most importantly, fun!
What is something you have learned through CYP that you wouldn’t have learned somewhere else?
Have you ever felt like you didn’t deserve your success or that you didn’t belong in professional circles? Initially, I didn’t understand what imposter syndrome was, but as I progressed in my career and expanded my network, self-doubt started to creep in. My confidence in my abilities and whether I deserved the opportunities would waver. But, with the help of CYP and my circle of peers, I felt empowered to embrace these opportunities.
Whether it was sitting on panel discussions for a visiting Chamber of Commerce or interns seeking career advice or being asked to write a follow-up article for the 2023 DE&I Conference, I knew I could do it. CYP has taught me valuable lessons that helped me elevate beyond my insecurities, such as realizing that I’m not alone in feeling this way, practicing self-compassion, and understanding that I am valued and belong in these spaces.
