Laramie Young Professionals (LYP) is making a comeback, and it’s already creating buzz in the local community. Revived after a COVID-19 hiatus, the program is designed to connect young professionals in the Laramie area through networking, professional development, and community involvement. Jerrica Becken of Range Community Insurance, serving as the interim board chair, and Liz Powers of RML and Associates, the interim treasurer, recently shared their insights on the goals and initiatives of the organization.
The mission of Laramie Young Professionals revolves around three key pillars: networking, professional development, and community impact. According to Powers, “Our goal is really threefold. It’s networking with young professionals, learning business development, and community impact through volunteer opportunities.” Becken added that the new iteration builds on a strong foundation left by the previous LYP group, which had disbanded due to the pandemic. Now, they are working to provide a space for young professionals to grow their skills, connect with local businesses, and give back to the community.
LYP’s approach is dynamic, aiming to meet young professionals where they are. Unlike the previous version, which focused mainly on lunches, the new LYP offers a wider variety of events to accommodate different interests and schedules. “We have a lunch about once every three months and a happy hour every other month. We’re also working on adding more volunteer opportunities,” said Powers. These efforts are designed to offer a balanced mix of social and professional development events, including luncheons with local leaders and networking happy hours.
One notable event in the recent past was the kickoff “Bingo Networking” event held in August, which served as a fun icebreaker for attendees to mingle and get a sense of the group’s potential. Powers highlighted the success of the event, saying, “It went really well. Everyone got to know each other, and it helped us gauge the interest for LYP in Laramie.”
Upcoming events promise to build on that momentum. The September 25th Empower Public Service panel, to be held at the Laramie Historic Train Depot, will feature local leaders discussing their paths to public service. Additionally, LYP is planning professional development workshops, such as interview “speed dating” sessions and a seminar on nonprofit board service, designed to give young professionals hands-on experience and exposure to leadership roles.
For those on the fence about joining, Becken and Powers emphasize that LYP currently does not require membership dues, allowing newcomers to attend events and see if the group is a good fit before making a financial commitment in 2024. “We understand that many young professionals are just starting out in their careers and may have budget constraints,” said Becken, who explained that dues, once implemented, will be kept affordable and will cover the cost of events like luncheons or drinks at happy hour.
Looking ahead, LYP leaders envision a collaborative and inclusive environment where members help shape the direction of the program. Becken noted, “As people get involved, we hope they’ll also get engaged in helping us plan events and workshops. We want it to be feedback-based and provide the skills and opportunities that members really want.”
For those interested in getting involved, the best way to stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities is by joining the Laramie Young Professionals Facebook group or contacting them via email at LypWyo@gmail.com.
Currently operating as a program under the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance (LCBA), LYP offers a unique opportunity for young professionals in their 20s and 30s to grow and give back to their community. Becken did note, however, that LYP has an age cap at 40, jokingly adding, “We hope to make the age-out process fun, not exclusionary.”
As Laramie Young Professionals continues to grow, it’s clear that the group is committed to fostering a vibrant, engaged, and empowered community of young professionals ready to make a lasting impact.