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Aakash Patel, 25
Job: Public relations coordinator, Westin Tampa Bay and Aquaknox Restaurant.
Volunteer work: On the fundraising board for Voices for Children for the Guardian ad Litem program. On the executive board for the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce.
Education: Florida State University, bachelor of arts in political science and English literature.
Where will you be in 10 years?
I see myself in Tampa either working for a local elected official (or) possibly being a local elected official. Politics and public service are a couple of my personal goals. I would also like to give back in some form. I don't know where I would be best in serving, but running for an office is definitely a possibility. I would possibly consider a public-policy position of some kind.
What are you reading?
Who's Got Your Back by Keith Ferrazzi. His first book was Never Eat Alone and it was about networking. I haven't gotten that far into Who's Got Your Back, but if it is anything like the first book, it will be a bestseller.
What do you do for fun?
I follow the Rays, the Buccaneers and other sports. I follow current events. I enjoy watching television. I catch up on the weekend because that is when I have my down time. I like reading. I'm getting into golf. I'm not good at it, but I have been fortunate to have been in a couple of tournaments. I also like going to networking events and socializing.
What is one thing people don't know about you?
I'm a vegetarian. We grew up without meat in the house and no one believes me because I work in a seafood restaurant, but I don't eat seafood. I tried meat once, but I just didn't have the taste buds for it.
What do you want to do before you die?
I've been lucky — I've gotten to do some of the things on my bucket list. I really wanted to go to a World Series game and last year I got to do that. I even traveled Europe and spent a year studying in London. I do want to travel more and go skydiving.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to young professionals?
Be persistent. I was laid off in January 2005 and I got creative and very persistent on a job opportunity, and it's these traits that led me to where I am now. One example of getting creative for your career is that I didn't think I would ever be a social-media person but things like Facebook and Twitter have actually helped me.
If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
Bill Gates, because I want to see how he manages his daily life. He must get inundated with questions all the time, and I want to see what his decisionmaking process is. If I couldn't trade places with him, the other one would be Tony Robbins because he is always positive. In fact, that is one more piece of advice I would give to young professionals is to always be positive in the workplace.
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