Robbie Banks is the Columbus Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional Manager.  Robbie works everyday to attract and retain talented young professionals to the Columbus, OH region by being a liason and major influencer Young Professional initiatives.  Check out Robbie’s daily activities on her Twitter feed @Robbie Banks.

As a college student or young professional (hereto referred to as a “YP”), it’s imperative that you become actively engaged in your community. Regardless if you plan to stay in your community for the long-haul or not, getting your hands dirty, literally or figuratively speaking, can only help create positive opportunities for you. Here are some suggestions on how to seek opportunities to get involved in your community.

All organizations/groups are not created equally. Autonomous YP organizations, Chamber of Commerce-affiliated YP organizations, affinity groups, Mayors’ YP commissions or kitchen cabinets, community-service organizations, industry-specific organizations, ethnic-oriented groups… There are likely more than a few organizations to consider, especially if you live in a large community. (If you live in a small community, contact your local Chamber of Commerce and/or check out Meetup.com.) You should  be intentional when you are perusing the list of organizations to consider. (Check out an example of a pretty comprehensive clearinghouse of Columbus’ YP organizations compiled by the Columbus Chamber here.) Look for attributes that resonate with you by reading their mission or purpose, their membership’s age range, current and past events or activities, membership dues, if any, etc.

Unsure about the organizations to consider? Try before you buy. Subscribe to the email lists of organizations that interest you, and attend at least one of their events. Most organizations welcome non-members  to attend their events (they are always recruiting new members), so don’t worry about committing  to membership beforehand.

Select events and activities that match your interests. Going back to being intentional, think about what is your goal in attending a specific event or activity. Whether your goal is to meet your next client or like-minded individuals that enjoy volunteering, keep your goal in mind to make sure attending an event or activity is worthwhile. At the same time, be realistic with your expectations (i.e., don’t expect that you’ll gain 10 new clients as a result of attending one event).

Bring a friend or colleague, and be an ambassador for your community. If networking takes effort for you, imagine what it’s like to be the new kid in town where you don’t know a soul. Ask the new guy in your department to join you for a professional development event. Find out the basics from him before you go (e.g., his hometown, college major, hobbies, reason for moving to your community, etc.) and introduce him to people you know. By doing so, you may score major points with your employer or boss.

A bit of advice, particularly if you are attending an event where you anticipate meeting professional contacts: Be prepared. Have plenty of business cards, especially if you are attending a networking event. If you are a job seeker, create some networking cards. Spend at least a few minutes checking out the event host’s website or LinkedIn profile. Look up the directions and parking situation beforehand. Keep your quarters stash in your car stocked for parking meters as well as some cash on hand for cash-only parking lots or the cash bar.

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