Get Connected

April 20th, 2007 • Related • Filed Under

Young Black Professional Guide Get ConnectedA significant number of young black professionals will spend the early stages of their careers in cities that don’t have a large number of black professionals – especially if you’re in a competitive industry where making your way to black Meccas such as Atlanta and D.C. can take years.

But too often, YBPs spend those years complaining and daydreaming about a fantasy future that may never come, or at best is years away. While this is definitely understandable, it’s not fruitful. Regardless of where one is in their professional career, it is best to maximize that season of life. One should aim to discover why he or she is where she is and focus on getting the most of it. And one of the easiest ways to do that is to connect with black professional organizations.

No matter your occupation, chances are that a national organization exists for blacks in your field. A simple Google search that includes the words “black,” “association” and your profession may surprise you. These groups usually put on workshops run by industry leaders; host job fairs featuring your dream employer and allow enviable networking opportunities. Getting involved in a local chapter of a black national organization is perhaps the best way to move up in your current company – or to connect with people that will get you to the job and city of your choice.

No chapter in your area? Start one. This will more than likely automatically put you in contact with national leaders in that organization, which is perhaps the best place to be when it comes to networking, and power players of multiple races in your field’s local community.

The great thing about black professional groups is that they don’t only have to be an extension of work. Historically, these organizations have been as social as they have been professional. I’ve talked to members of various black professional organizations who mainly go to their annual national conventions to socialize – which is a valuable part of the “work” experience as it almost always presents networking opportunities.

This can be done on a local level. My personal experience has shown that there are probably others like you who were waiting for someone to start or breathe new life into a local group all along. Hold meetings during happy hours at new restaurants – you’ll get to see new parts of your town; plan purely social gatherings – you’ll learn about a person beyond their resume; and partner with other professional organizations for events – this will give you access to people you may not have run into otherwise.

You’re never going to learn to like your town if all you do is stay home talking to people from home or if you’re driving out of town every other weekend to visit former classmates. Maximize your present opportunities and you never know … you might be one of the bricklayers of the next best city for young black professionals.

There Are 12 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Kimberly Michelle on 20 April 2007:

    Very true. Get connected! We have several black professional organizations listed on our organizations page.

  2. Comment by JD on 21 April 2007:

    Excellent advice, I went to college at the University of Vermont. I attribute some of my career success to my black roommates and friends, having informal late night conversations about what we wanted out of life and why school was important. In a place like Burlington, the black community is like extended family. Us Students hung with the black men that were 20 to 25 years older. I also lived in Syracuse, Ithaca,Baltimore, Dallas, Buffalo, St Louis and now Chicago. I enjoyed each place, CHicago, Buffalo and Baltimore the best, and St Louis the least. A mistake I made in some places was to take a just passing through mentality, ie St Louis, and not making an effort to embrace the city. I ended up there 8 years.

  3. Comment by Joe on 21 April 2007:

    One of the biggest mistakes blacks make in their early careers is not focusing on where they are and choosing to focus on where they’re trying to go too much. Many of the people/tools that can help you get where you’re trying to go are right around the corner.

  4. Comment by Villager on 21 April 2007:

    Excellent post. Much of my career success is due to the informal networking and guidance that I received from Black organizations such as BDPA and AIM-IRS. Currently, I provide consultation service to local chapters that want to improve membership numbers, corporate sales or program meeting attendance.

    Anyhow, excellent post. Your blog is one that I don’t visit as often as I should.

    peace, Villager

  5. Comment by ETS on 21 April 2007:

    Another thing I forgot to mention is that all money spent on anything related to a black professional organization is tax deductible, so this is a smart financial move.

  6. Comment by David McQueen on 21 April 2007:

    It is one of my dreams that more black professionals can realise this. Around the globe and that no matter where you are you can always find or be part of such an organisation.

    Watch this space.

  7. Comment by Fredric on 21 April 2007:

    ets…

    how so?

    are you referring to the tax deduction for donating to non-profit organizations?

  8. Comment by ETS on 21 April 2007:

    Perhaps tax deductible is the wrong term, but any money you spend out of your own pocket on your career - registration for national conventions, food for some forum, plane tickets on interviews - can be written off when you do your taxes. It’s kinda like if a teacher buys crayons out of her own pocket for her students. There’s a website/book for this. When I find it, I will post it.

  9. Comment by OHSucker on 22 April 2007:

    This is a great post. One of the reasons I moved to ATL (from CT) was so I could be around more Blacks in the professional field. Being around like minded individuals has a way of lighting a fire under you.

    Excellent point about starting a particular organization when there isn’t one in your area. I’ve yet to find an org for Black Massage Therapists. Hmmm….see that fire being lit?

  10. Pingback by Are You Boxing Yourself In? on 25 May 2007:

    [...] groups. We’ve discussed the benefits of getting involved with other black professionals in “Get Connected,” but don’t let your interactions be so monotonous that you bind yourself from getting where [...]

  11. Comment by Lisa on 29 May 2008:

    Sounds good to me! Im back on the market now(ready for the challenge!), and remembering that NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) has always been a great meeting place! So, I want to expand my horizons a little. Maybe some black PR organizations, or better yet, SALES! :-)
    http://www.books4blackwomen.com

  12. Comment by Fredric on 29 May 2008:

    Good for you Lisa!

    Stay positive and keep your eye on the prize!

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