From the 'hood to The Valley

Sometimes I have to stop myself and have a moment, give occasion to take it all in.

I'll be at a corporate event and find myself stopping and gazing at the sea of blazers and plush décor. Or I'll be reading an article, see a reference to Silicon Valley culture, and I can feel the smile bubble to the surface, knowing I'm part of this revered society.

My appreciation stems, in part, from the realization that I'm an anomaly, a statistical abnormality.

I'm included in a minuscule population of African-Americans here, which makes up some four percent of the workforce. I'm also 15 years invested, a bonafide Silicon Valley veteran - a badge I wear proudly.

A dusty kid from Oakland who can still recite Tupac lyrics wasn't supposed to be among these ranks. And there is no industry or area I would rather work. Being in this position -- and having boots on the ground for the growth and development and trends -- I couldn't help but ponder what makes this such a fulfilling existence.

My conclusion: it's the four Ps.

PAY

There is a misconception that everyone in tech is extremely well-paid. Not true.

However, the potential for a profitable career is there and worthy of pursuit. Especially relative to some other industries, the salary possibilities in Silicon Valley -- in addition to what are often phenomenal benefits and stock options -- the income of an established member of this industry is substantial.

One data point: a Business Insider article from October 2015 listed 26 tech companies with at least 30 employees that had an average worker pay of over $120,000.

To be successful in Silicon Valley is prosperous.

PEOPLE

But money alone isn't what makes working in Silicon Valley fulfilling. The relationships outlast the earnings; the knowledge culled from the incredible minds in the industry pay great dividends.

I have gotten to work with some of the world's smartest people, in the US and abroad -- India, China, Israel and the like. The personalities, the perspectives, and the cultures you are exposed to in Silicon Valley bring a level of depth to your career that is hard to duplicate.

Not in many industries will you find the fascinating juxtaposition of high net worth and low maintenance personality, extreme intelligence coupled with significant humility.

Are there egos? Of course. But I'd contend for every domineering personality, there is at least one gentle spirit. Every entitled disposition is countered by enriched demeanor.

The Valley is about bringing smart people together to do cool things. So, too many jerks in the group will lead to poor results. That's true in high tech and pretty much on any team.

It is proven here over and again you can be smart, wealthy, and a really cool person simultaneously.

PRODUCTS

There is nothing like knowing the company you work for is involved in innovation. There is an indescribable satisfaction that comes with the fruits of your labor impacting the way people learn, play, live and work.

In the Valley, we shape the world in many ways. People even look to us for answers to the globe's greatest. We influence the future. How many industries can say that?

POSSIBILITIES

For the most part, people don't come to Silicon Valley to retire. There aren't a few hot positions tied up by seasoned individuals whom everyone is waiting to call it quits.

Instead, the turnover is so frequent that career opportunities have a way of finding the strong players who are well connected. In the Valley, advancement is an eventuality.

And even that takes different shapes. It's not an assembly line where workers are plopped in and move from rung to rung. Here, promotion could be shifting to a new company. It could be taking a lesser job on a bigger farm. It could be a lateral move on the surface, but an advancement in freedom and creativity.

In an industry that is steadily growing and adapting, vertical mobility is a likelihood.

The best part about the 4 Ps? They are accessible to a wide range of people. These aren't just perks of proven veterans. The 4 Ps are realities that attract the college student, that inspire the recent graduate, that reward experienced professionals.

*****

These 4 Ps are relevant for organizations looking to create a productive and burgeoning work environment. They are a model for companies to flourish sustainably. They could serve as a blueprint for attracting the young talent out there waiting to be groomed.

Including ambitious, Tupac-quoting knuckleheads like me.