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Young Professionals
This program provides opportunities to make new connections and familiarize its members with the amenities available in Greater Mankato. The YPs are a vibrant group of 21 to 40-year-olds who love living and working in our community!
| 2023 Young Professionals Program Sponsors:
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Join Today!The Greater Mankato Young Professionals hold one social and one professional development event per month. Annual participation in the program is $360 per individual representing a member business and $500 for those representing a nonmember business (prorated monthly for anyone who joins during the year) and includes admission to all activities and events, which usually include a great meal! To qualify for the $360 rate, YP applicants must be employed by a business that is at least an Engaged-level member of Greater Mankato Growth and also included as a representative in their businesses' membership. YP Membership is generally paid by the YPs' employer, but there are also many YPs that pay for their own membership. Contact Crystal Olson at 507.385.6667 with membership questions. #gmgkatoyps |
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About the Program
Investor Credits
Greater Mankato Growth investors receive annual credits for Young Professionals:
Copper Investor: $125
Bronze Investor: $150
Silver Investor: $175
Gold Investor: $225
Platinum Investor: $325
Diamond Investor: $425
Annual Participation Includes
- Monthly social events - past events include Wow! Zone, Kayaking, MSU Indoor Climbing Wall, MoonDogs Game, Snowshoeing & Wine Tasting, Progressive Dinner, MSU Hockey Game and more!
- Monthly professional development sessions to build your skills - past events include Customer Service, Values Assessment, Working With Difficult People, Asking for a Promotion, Running an Effective Meeting, Speed Networking, business tours and more!
- Access to mentoring opportunities with area business leaders
- Opportunities to serve on committees and community initiatives
Participant Benefits
The program gives people who are newer in their careers and the business community an opportunity to meet others. Participants also bring in additional business opportunities through the connections they make within the community.
Participants will:
- Develop relationships with more than 160 fellow young professionals
- Take part in 12 social and 12 professional development events a year
- Plus bonus events and volunteer opportunities
- Enhance their leadership skills
- Increase engagement in the community
- Serve on a committee or as a committee chair
- Have access to mentoring opportunities with area business leaders
- Have fun and grow professionally!
Employer Benefits
Once Young Professionals get a taste of all there is to do in the region and establish a network of friends and colleagues in the area, they are more likely to stay and enjoy life in Greater Mankato.
- Be a part of the 90+ businesses supporting the Young Professionals in our community
- Retain young leaders for your business and our community
- Provide educational experiences
- Cost-effective development and retention strategy
Employer Testimonials:
“The Young Professionals program at GMG is the classic win-win initiative. We can see the growth of our Young Professionals in the program, and we can see lasting relationships being built improving Greater Mankato retention at a critical career phase all while building awareness of our brand throughout the region. Providing educational experiences to Young Professionals has also been a great way to give back to enthusiastic learners. Keep up the great work!”
- Chad Surprenant, President, ISG
"Once Young Professionals get a taste of all there is to do here and establish a network of friends and colleagues in the area, they are more likely to stay and enjoy life in Greater Mankato. Employers have found the program to be a very cost-effective development and retention strategy.”
- Christine Powers, Abdo
2023 Officers
YP Officers:
- Nate Olson, Mankato West High School - Chair
- Claire Riche, Taylor Corporation - Vice Chair
- Collin Bennett, Knutson Construction - Professional Development Committee Co-Chair
- Amanda Ohme, North Risk Partners/Kato Insurance- Professional Development Committee Co-Chair
- Lauren Atchley, Abdo - Social Committee Co-Chair
- Jamie Reutzel, US Bank - Social Committee Co-Chair
- Macy Anderson, Blethen Berens – GMG Public Policy Steering Committee YP Representative
Testimonials
“The Young Professionals program has been a great experience. The program has allowed me to make meaningful connections with other young professionals in the community at social events. Site tours, guest panels, mentorship lunches, and other professional development events have been great ways to learn about the opportunities Mankato offers. I would highly recommend getting involved with YPs!” - Andrew Jelken, US Bank
"YP’s has been a great way to feel connected to the Greater Mankato area. You are able to learn humble origin stories of local companies, how interconnected our area is, and the values of the community through tours, trainings and social events. Employers, the YP investment is perfect for keeping young talent in Greater Mankato." - Kaitlynn Steele, Brennan Companies
“In my eyes, the YP Mentor Lunch Program is one of the best programs offered to our members. It’s a unique opportunity to connect in an intimate setting with individuals in our community who have climbed their ladders in different ways. The knowledge I have learned through active and engaging discussions with leaders in our community has been extremely beneficial in my professional development and my personal growth. Another huge win is adding well connected people to my personal network who truly care about our community and the long term sustainability of it. Outside of the relationships I’ve built during my time as a YP, the Mentor Program is at the top of my list in terms of where I’ve received the most value.” - Nate Olsen, United Prairie Bank
"I love being a YP member due to all the connections I’ve made both personally and professionally. Many of my best friends I met in YPs. Plus you get to explore the many fun things Mankato has to offer!" - Dr. Murphy Grotewold, Carlson-Tillisch Eye Clinic
2022 Events
Social: Bingo, Agatha Christie's Spider's Web performed by Merely Players, curling, Beans Coffee Co. Tour, Rock Climbing, MoonDogs Game, RibFest, Camp Patterson Tour + Social, Brewlympics,MSU HOckey Game + Social, 2022 Holiday Party: Yule Ball at the Historic Masonic Hall
Professional Development: Jones Metal Tour, Get a Grip on Your Business, Hockey Day MN Panel, Sandler Training, Networking Lunch, Local Legislator Panel, Vetter Stone Tour, Brunton Architects & Engineers Tour, Ignite the Spark of Possibility with Kate Loging, FUN.com Tour + Executive Panel, 2022 Annual Meeting
YP 2023 Events Calendar (events in RED are open for registration)
This schedule is tentative and subject to change.
January Social Event: Bowling at Wow! Zone (1/17) Professional Development Event: Professional Speaker: Stress Management with Dr. Bobendrier (1/24) | February Social Event: Buzztime Trivia (2/8) Professional Development Event: MCHS Event Center Tour (2/14) |
March Social Event: Tour & Tasting at Schell's Brewery (3/16) Professional Development Event: Women in Business Panel Spring Mentor Lunch Program (3/15, 4/19, and 5/17) Spring Book Club - So Now What? (3/1) | April Social Event: TBD Professional Development Event: Professional Speaker Spring Mentor Lunch Program (3/15, 4/19, and 5/17) |
May Social Event: TBD Professional Development Event: TBD Spring Mentor Lunch Program (3/15, 4/19, and 5/17) | June Social Event: TBD Professional Development Event: Networking Picnic Summer Book Club |
July Social Event: MoonDogs Game (7/19) Professional Development Event:TBD | August Social Event: TBD Professional Development Event: TBD |
September Social Event: TBD Professional Development Event: TBD Bonus: Mentor Lunch Fall Book Club
| October Social Event: TBD Professional Development Event: TBD Bonus: Mentor Lunch |
November Social Event: TBD Professional Development Event: TBD Bonus: Mentor Lunch Winter Book Club | December Social Event: Holiday Party Professional Development Event: Annual Meeting |
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