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Saturday, July 26, 2003

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

What is the greatest barrier to economic success for young professionals?

"They have an income, there are many opportunities, but there is not much knowledge.

So there is a need for more financial literacy to investing their money. There needs to be more education for that.

The universities, churches and colleges need to be more proactive. There is a better potential of reaching to the young professionals."

-- Tonia Petty, 30, of Schenley Heights,
graduate student at Geneva College, Beaver Falls

"I don't think that there is a barrier. Instead of investing, our young professionals wear their wealth -- that's also based on my personal experience.

They need to know that wealth is not made instantly, there is no instant ladder.

It's a gradual process, it's something that you make."

-- Serena J. Gregory, 32, of St. Louis,
molecular research geneticist at Monsanto Co.

"There is a lack of preparation. Now we have new industries, high levels of finance and so on.

So we need organizations of young professionals, where we could network and receive training.

It's not that you don't have talent or commitment. We can excel, but we need appropriate time and vehicle."

-- Ryan Myers, 36, of Washington, D.C.,
branch manager at Woodbury Financial Services Inc.

"One of the barriers is misinformed financial decisions.

And there is no culture of saving -- something our mothers and fathers and the folks before them thought of seriously.

But there is a multitude of things. They need to save their savings and also refocus on giving something to their community. They need right information."

-- Steven J. Casey, 37, of Chicago,
program associate at MacArthur Foundation

"Lack of education, institutional racism ... and socio-economics are the major barriers to economic success for our young professionals.

And it's not the problem only in Arizona, it's the problem everywhere in the United States."

Ramona Kelly, 30, of Tucson, Ariz.,
outreach management trainee at Tucson Urban League.

"It's basically education.

Without education black men and women can't succeed in life.

They need education and proper guidelines for economic success."

-- Charles C. Hobbs Sr., 31, president of Lexington Urban League Young Professionals

Compiled by Surendra Phuyal, who can be reached at sphuyal@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1893.