In the last year alone, Arizona added nearly 100,000 residents, making it one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Along with the influx of new residents, comes the arrival of more career-minded talent, seeking networking and professional growth opportunities.
Luckily the Valley career scene is buzzing with new networking groups, emerging to help integrate young professionals into Arizona’s bustling community.
Which should you join? Read on for a breakdown of our favorites.
Valley Young Professionals
Geared towards promising young professionals, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s VYP Program strives to educate their members about our community, how they contribute to its success and resources for professional growth. With networking events, educational workshops, exclusive tours and volunteer opportunities, this group offers a highly credible network for their members to develop professionally. If you are between the ages of 25 and 39, looking to get involved in your local community, the Valley Young Professionals group is a perfect option. Their monthly meetings connect the younger workforce with local entrepreneurs and business professionals, to foster the next generation of Phoenix leaders.
Find out more about VYP.
BNI
This business networking and referrals group exists throughout the world, with 47 chapters in the Valley alone. As the largest business networking organization in the world, BNI has a unique model that encourages members to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. BNI only takes one person per profession and each person must have references as well as a sponsor, thus guaranteeing that those belonging to the groups get feedback and referrals from reputable people outside of their industry. BNI relies on word of mouth to spread its mission and is truly a group of driven professionals who get things done! In 2015 alone, BNI generated 6.6 million referrals, resulting in 8.6 billion dollars worth of business for its members.
For more info on BNI groups in Arizona, click here.
Career Connectors
Are you in a period of transition or looking to move up in your career field? Career Connectors provides educational resources, job leads and networking events to help job seekers make effective connections. Grown out of a resume writing workshop, this nonprofit now serves thousands of job seekers in the Phoenix area and was represented at The White House Forum on Job Clubs in 2012. Through regularly scheduled events, prospective employees have the opportunity to hear from professional speakers, participate in Q&A sessions, meet with hiring companies, receive resume critiques and even update their headshots. This nonprofit provides a number of helpful resources for people actively seeking to make a career change or searching for opportunities to advance in their current field.
Want to attend their next meeting? Check out the full event calendar.
ASBA Business Mentor Team
Mentorship can have a huge impact on your professional success, especially if you are looking to start a small business. The Arizona Small Business Association Mentor Team has seasoned professionals who have years of experience in owning and operating their own small businesses, as well as experts in fields like accounting, finance, marketing, sales and startups. The mentorship program offers reliable information and resources for small businesses in a variety of operational stages and industries ranging from manufacturing to retail. Whether you are looking to write your first business plan or working on merging with another small business, their experts can guide and support your small business journey.
Find out more about their mentoring options.
#YesPhx
With prime talent and low housing costs, Arizona has become a growing hub for startup companies. #YesPhx aims to create a “vibrant ecosystem,” where cutting edge organizations can flourish and help foster an environment that encourages other start-ups in the areas. Using the hashtag #YesPhx, companies, professionals, investors, press and lookers-on can connect with members of Arizona’s startup community, share ideas and encourage industry growth. If you’re interested in amplifying the booming technology scene in the valley #YesPhx is a great way to get involved and stay up to speed.
Interested? Search #YesPhx on social media.