IF the music of UDD couldn’t help with your adulting, maybe The After Six Club (TASC) can.
But one night in May, this startup formed by young professionals combined their ideas and that of the message of UDD: Embrace ambition.
“The young professionals are the drivers of their own career,” said Kassy Pajarillo, who is called Tasc’s “Chief Encourager,” a position that originated from the consulting segment of the marketing industry. “Embracing your ambition shouldn’t be taken negatively but rather empower one another to own their power, drive and dreams.”
Pajarillo echoes the set of beliefs of Tasc, which they refer to as a “movement” created through LinkedIn Corp.’s eponymous online platform.
“We are truly grateful because the platform gave us the courage to give birth to our vision,” Pajarillo added.
The result was #LinkedinLocal, a meetup concept created within the platform of the Microsoft Corp. subsidiary.
According to Pajarillo, the meetup concept “changes the rules of networking into connecting humans, abiding to three rules: connect with people beyond the job titles, business cards and company names, to inspire, motivate and grow each other collectively.”
“We aim to have everyone in a room on an equal footing,” Tasc cofounder Raymond Braganza was quoted in a statement as saying.
“We’re glad to have been able to share the stage with successful professionals who are generous of their time, knowledge and perspective to help, guide and support millennials, especially those who feel they’re lost in their careers and still figuring out what endeavor they should pursue,” Braganza added. He referred to the first Tasc event last May.
It was the first outdoor #LinkedinLocal meetup and the inaugural Adulting Starter Pack event organized by Tasc. More than 30 professional thought leaders from different industries, over 50 partners and sponsors, 50 market bazaar merchants, a career fair, 3000 sign-ups and a concert by UDD capped off the event.
“We believe that your work—and should—be part of who you are, your values and principles; asses your strengths, what you want to accomplish for yourself and the world,” Pajarillo said.
“We believe you should love your job and be thrilled waking up every day, fulfilled on being of service for the company and others,” Cliff Adora, LinkedIn’s business developer, said during a forum within the event.
“On handling rejection, don’t take it on a bad light right away. It probably isn’t all about discrimination but rather of preference for the job,” Zalora Group Associate Human Resource Director Philip Ruby said also during the forum.
Braganza, Adora and Ruby all agreed a curriculum vitae shouldn’t be sent aggressively without knowing the job description, company culture and requirements.
“We strongly believe establishing relationships, collaboration and inclusivity is powerful,” Pajarillo said. “The new rules of work have changed from job search to job discovery.”
To those who are aiming for opportunities abroad and may have experienced being overseas workers, Adora shared, “If you were judged because of your race or difference, perspective and mindset goes a long way—prove them what is right than proving what they’re wrong about you.”
Conceptualized and prepared in a month’s time, the Tasc event validated and proved on how collaborative and supportive brands, companies and professionals are in terms of helping the new generation of professionals in guiding and encouraging them to pursue their passions and invest on their self-interests, Pajarillo said. She added that mentorship is freely available once asked.
“Our startup is inspired by LinkedIn’s community and for being accessible for career advices from professionals themselves,” Braganza said. “I learned a lot, too!”
The TAsc is touted as a startup focused on culture, mindful leadership and human connection and addressed few pressing concerns and issues the millennials and young professionals currently are dealing.