MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
For two decades, the Young Professionals of Reno County has worked to connect younger members of the workforce while providing opportunities for networking, professional development and community service.
Brittany Inskeep, a member of Young Professionals of Reno County, said the organization primarily serves people ages 21 to about 40 from Hutchinson and communities throughout Reno County. Members come from a wide range of occupations, including office-based professions, skilled trades and other industries.
The organization was originally created to connect young people in the community and help them develop skills that could benefit them personally and professionally. Members can also serve on the group's advisory board, potentially providing experience that can lead to service on other community boards, councils and organizations.
Inskeep said the organization has benefited her in both her personal and professional life.
āI have made what would be lifelong friends that I maybe wouldn't have been in the same room with before,ā Inskeep said, adding that she has also developed valuable professional connections through the organization.
Networking remains a major focus, particularly as the organization works to help people who are new to Hutchinson or have returned to the area become connected to the community.
Young Professionals hosts a monthly mingle on the second Thursday of each month. Events may be hosted by a local business or held at a restaurant, brewery or other gathering place. Members can also participate in recreational sports, social activities and community service projects.
Professional development is another part of the organization's mission. Inskeep said Young Professionals holds lunch-and-learn events and workshops covering topics such as marketing, interviewing and networking skills.
Community service also plays a significant role. The organization has a service team dedicated to volunteer projects and has developed a strong relationship with United Way of Reno County. Members have participated in cleanup projects at Dillon Nature Center and the zoo and have helped paint homes over the organization's 20-year history.
Inskeep said community involvement can be especially important for younger workers who are new to the area or who moved away and later returned.
She said giving young professionals opportunities to become involved can help them develop a sense of ownership in the community and feel that they have a voice in its future.
The organization has also adapted as the workplace has changed. Inskeep has a unique perspective on that evolution because her parents participated in Young Professionals when the organization was beginning, and she joined after returning from college and entering the workforce.
While the basic needs of young professionals ā developing skills and making connections ā have remained largely unchanged, Inskeep said the way the organization meets those needs has evolved with remote and hybrid work and other changes in the community.
Inskeep said a thriving network of younger residents can also help make Reno County more attractive to people considering moving to the area to work, live and raise a family.
Those interested in joining Young Professionals of Reno County can find additional information and a membership signup through the organization's website.