Let’s face it: the economy has dealt many young professionals a crap sandwich. We’re among the first to get laid off when our companies hit the skids. Here are five programming ideas Young Professionals Organizations (YPOs) should consider to raise their profile in their communities, and increase their value to members:
1. Help job-seekers. I’ve been on the road for the past 60 days, and have met many YPs who are smart, energetic… and looking for work. Some ideas:
- Smart companies know that there’s a lot of talent on sale right now. If your community has companies that are hiring (many of you have hundreds of open positions in your communities), offer a “speed-dating” session between employers and YPs. Encourage both groups to bring their collateral (resumes, business cards, etc.) and make it a fun, no-risk event.
- Offer a session to YPs on how to use Web 2.0 to land their next job. YPs already use Facebook and LinkedIn for professional connections when they’re employed; now teach them how to leverage social networks to land their next gig. (You might also want to offer advice on how to negotiate remote work arrangements. For example, if a YP lands a job in another community, but they don’t want to leave yours, they may need tips on how to negotiate a remote work arrangement with their new employer.)
- Offer other professional development training to boost YPs skills. If you haven’t yet offered a business etiquette session that covers things like “How to introduce your girlfriend to your boss” and “How to use the correct fork at a formal dinner,” now’s the time. “How to” sessions on networking, interviewing, and presentation skills may also be timely.
2. Host more socials & keep spirits up. A friend of a friend said, “In a recession, people go to the bars. In a depression, they drink at home.” Most YPOs already host monthly socials; maybe now’s the time to add a couple more? During the massive layoffs of the early 2000s, some groups hosted “Pink Slip Parties.” Those YPs who brought pink slips (termination papers) got free drinks.
3. Offer a Happy Pill. Research has proven that one of the best ways to boost one’s spirits is to do something for others. Where can your YPs lend a helping hand in your community? (You can get great media attention if you do things that make a visible difference, e.g. remove graffiti, paint an elderly person’s home or do yard clean-up for them, build a house, etc.)
4. Offer ideas on how to simplify. Many years ago, my friend Michelle Racich said, “If you live within your means, you’ll always have money.” One of my mentors, Don Lamberti of Casey’s said, “You don’t get rich spending your money.” I didn’t listen. Then I went bankrupt. Since then, I’ve reformed, and have become a bit of a simple living freak. The current economic meltdown is offering all of us an opportunity to look at our spending and consumption and ask, “What’s really essential?” This is healthy in the short term…and necessary for sustainability. Gobs of research show that having more stuff doesn’t make us happier; it just requires more storage. Many communities have Simple Living Network groups that YPs are welcome to join. Alternatively, your YPO could sponsor a book club for the classic (updated for December 2008) Your Money or Your Life, Voluntary Simplicity, or my first introduction to simplicity, The Circle of Simplicity.
I believe our economic situation is a real opportunity for us to demonstrate value to each other. I know our YPOs will have hundreds of even better ideas to serve their members and our communities. Share yours at YPCOMMONS.ORG.
