How to Get the Most Out of Your PYP Membership
My one-year annual contract with Pittsburgh Young Professionals (PYP) is just about up. It’s made me think about the benefits of membership and if I should register for another year. Being a part of PYP has certainly been worth my time. But I also think it’s an organization where you get out of it what you put into it.
Maybe you’re a new member (welcome aboard!) looking to get more involved. Or maybe you’re considering whether or not to renew your membership as we get closer to a new year.
As someone who is looking forward to another year of membership, here are my recommendations on how to get the most out of PYP.
Come to Events
This seems fairly obvious, but as young professionals, we have jam-packed schedules. Work can be exhausting. It’s nice to put things on the calendar, but sometimes you’re just too tired to make it happen, right? Things happen – plans get wrecked.
Events are one of PYP’s greatest strengths. This organization usually has one event every week. Find an event that interests you and really commit to going. I shoot for events that are geographically close to my work. Not having to worry about complicated logistics after a long day at the office exponentially increases the chances that I’ll attend. After registering for an event, I recommend scheduling it on your work calendar.
When you attend events regularly, you’ll meet more people and faces will start to look familiar. The more events you attend, the more networking acquaintances turn into friends.
Use It as a Professional Development Opportunity
When setting professional development goals for the year, include participation in PYP. Most employers see the value in volunteering. PYP offers speaker series and leadership positions that can enhance your value as an employee. Talk with your employer about growth opportunities like involvement with PYP. That way, you’re accomplishing multiple goals with one membership – meet new people, enjoy Pittsburgh, discover new restaurants, and cross off year-end career objectives.
Some employers will cover the cost of your membership. Especially if you’re involved in leadership, you have a good case to make for sponsorship.
Join a Committee
This is my number one recommendation for taking your involvement with PYP to the next level! PYP offers a variety of committees you can join. When considering committees, you can join one that falls in line with your existing skill set or branch out to develop a new talent. Ranging from Professional Development and Social Media, to Community Outreach and Membership, there are committees that can use your unique skill set.
Joining a committee helps you establish solid connections within the organization. You can make plans to attend events with your fellow committee members. Or maybe you volunteer at the same event together.
Committing to a leadership position helps me stay actively involved in the organization. Feeling like I have a stake in the organization and a voice in its direction solidifies my commitment.
Committee Chairs do a great job at helping you identify your responsibilities on a committee. Think about what you hope to get out of involvement, and let your Chair know. They can help craft a position to your interests.
Resume Building After College
In undergrad, I was heavily involved with extracurricular activities. I loved being involved in clubs and organizations on campus. After graduation, I missed that connection. Let’s be honest – my resume missed it too. One day, I realized that all of my volunteer experiences were starting to look a little outdated.
Now that I’ve held a leadership position in PYP for about a year, I can update that little “Volunteer” section at the bottom of my resume.
Get out of It What You Put Into It
PYP is a great networking organization right in the heart of Pittsburgh. To get the most out of it, start by coming to events. If you have a few extra hours a month, join a committee. I’ll look forward to seeing you at the next happy hour!
Authored by Emily Munk, PR and Marketing Committee, 2018
filed under: Resources
Tags: new members, pittsburgh, pittsburgh young professionals, young professional