By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber
As the Young Professionals Manager at the Columbus Chamber, my role is to serve as the go-to gal for anything related to attracting and retaining young professionals (YPs) in the Columbus Region. I discover ways to connect and engage folks so that you stay here for the long haul, ensuring that employers will have the best and brightest minds available in the labor pool. More or less, it’s my job to be an ambassador for Columbus. How cool is that?
I’d like to deputize each of YOU as a Columbus ambassador, too. But first, I have two homework assignments for you.
Your first assignment is to be informed and aware of super cool things that are going on in Columbus. How?
Sign up for my weekly email called Activities and Events for Young Professionals. If you’re not already receiving this email, sign up here. Also, pick up Columbus Alive each Thursday and The Columbus Dispatch Weekender. Check out ColumbusUnderground.com. Browse outlook:columbus each month. Scan the local radio, TV and community calendars, too. It’s your job to know what’s going on.
Second, play in your own backyard.
Experience Columbus Days offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy our community. On these days, you’ll receive exclusive discounts at the city’s best attractions and independently-owned restaurants. Mark your calendars for October 8-11 this year. Experience Columbus is also a tremendous resource for anyone that’s seeking information on local hotels, attractions, dining, events and activities in Columbus.
For the college students, you have an awesome online resource called EasyColumbus.com, “the everything off-campus guide.” In fact, Easy Columbus just published a list of “100 things to do in Columbus before you graduate.” I encourage everyone, whether you’re in college or not, to see how many items you can check off the list.
Columbus needs your fresh ideas, enthusiasm and brains to continue to elevate our status as one of the top-tier talent magnet cities. Think of Columbus as your blank canvas. You can create any lifestyle that you want here and make your mark. I can’t think of another city where I can live a balanced life and live well. This is YOUR city. YOU are our future leaders, and quite frankly, our local employers and organizations need you.
I ask you to hold your head up high when you tell people that you live in Columbus. Like Mayor Coleman has said, we should walk with a swagger. Columbus is an exceptional place for young professionals to live, work and play.
This blog post is derived from Robbie's address to the attendees of the recent Columbus 2010 Young Professionals Career & Professional Development Conference.
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