curb Homepage
professional - get aheadrecreational - get outpractical - get realsocial - get connected

also in social:

bridge
blog
roommates
man with flowers
young professionals talking

about
advertise
subscribe
contact
site map

search

Transplanting roots
How young professional organizations can help you connect with your new community

by jessica tredinnick

A group of young professionals in Racine joined forces recently to raise $10,000 for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  Since graduation, they have developed two personal skills neglected by most degree program curricula––altruism and camaraderie. Because there is no such class as “Life 101: Intro to the Real World,” they relied on a local organization of young professionals to help them shed the egocentricism they adopted during their college years and become conscientious members of society.

To those who have just emerged from years of living the single life on campus, the real world’s expectations of selflessness can come as a shock. Universities, especially large institutions where individual attention is as rare as an empty coffee house, inevitably breed self-preoccupation. Students become accustomed to looking out for their own best interests.

But young professionals are not alone in feeling overwhelmed, nor do they have to deal with the transition on their own––as long as they know where to look for help. Most of Wisconsin’s major cities are home to organizations that help young professionals find companions among the faceless “others” who cohabitate their shiny new professional world.

These organizations serve as support networks while their members explore new social, professional and civic terrain. Although varied in construct and purpose, these groups help young professionals develop three aspects of their new lives: social networks, community involvement and professional advancement. Besides support and companionship, they also expand young professionals’ opportunities and resources by hosting informational lectures and political events. Many of the groups also provide opportunities to give back to the community, making host cities more positive environments for young, healthy businesses.

“A city influenced by young professionals is a city that will attract and retain young professionals,” says Shelley Jurewicz, executive director of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM). 

Perhaps the most obvious perk of joining a young professional organization is the social aspect. Young professional organizations ensure that newly minted workers are not left struggling alone when they leave the safety of their academic institutions. The transition often requires moving to a new location, uprooting from comfortable, familiar social networks. At organization events, members meet others going through the same difficult transition. Social activities were an escape from the daily grind of classes; now they provide escape from the daily grind of the office.

“It’s nice to be able to relate to others your age, especially because a lot of the people in that demographic are not from Racine, they’re often from out of state,” says Jay Christie, a four-year member of Young Professionals of Racine (YPR) who has followed jobs to new cities several times since earning his MBA.

back to top | next page ->

 

e-mail this article e-mail this article
print printer-friendly
 
women talking

mingle: MAGNET Members converse at a recent event for Madison's young professionals
photo: derek montgomery

 
map: which young professional organization is right for you?
interactive map with information about young professional organizations
 
related articles:
Top 10 employers you should know
A profile in (young) professionalism
 

home | professional | recreational | practical | social
about | advertise | subscribe | contact | site map
curb magazine 2005: balance for wisconsin's young professionals