How cool is it to be a part of EO at the beginning of my professional journey

NextGen Forum Member Jess Connelly.

My father is an EO member and luckily for me, as I start on my professional journey, I have been able to join the Next Gen Forum and based on that attend some of the EO events.

I have been to two Next Gen Forum’s so far and some really cool events, and already I have learnt so much. When you grow up in a family where your parents run their own successful business there are things that you see growing up that you don’t share with your peers yet are a key part of your life and the family dynamics.

Having the opportunity now to be a part of EO has meant connecting with others who have had the same experiences and emotions growing up as me. At the forums I have been able to talk about things that I have never shared with my friends because I really felt they wouldn’t have understood. Yet in forum I can go deeper into discussions that were ‘taboo’ with my friends because I’m not being judged or made to feel embarrassed or ‘different’.

I have been involved in some really interesting forum discussions on resilience which has helped me to open up more and to share my experiences. It’s a great feeling to know that my story means something to others in the forum and vice-versa.

The changes in me have been really positive. I feel that I am in a safe place, a place where I can reflect and dig deeper and not feel uncomfortable doing so. This has prepared me better for my professional and personal growth.

The events too that I have been lucky to attend have been nothing short of amazing. In terms of the level of knowledge of the speakers but more than that the ‘gold’ that comes from an informal chat post an event with other more experienced members in the room. No one is giving me advice or trying to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do but rather allow me to listen to their stories and take from that what could work for me into the future.

My Dad has always spoken highly of his own EO experiences, and now I really get it and understand better the link between family, personal growth and professional growth. It truly has been a privilege for me to be involved in such a meaningful way with EO, to have this opportunity at the start of my career journey, and to have EO helping set me up for my best future.