The Young Professional Coordinating Committee (YPCC) was established by SPE’s Board of Directors as a standing committee; the Board Committee on Education and Professional Activities oversees and guides the YP initiatives. Over the years, the YPCC has focused on increasing coordination between YP committees across the globe through events and workshops targeting a variety of interests and topics.
Ten such events and workshops, specifically geared toward young professionals, took place in 2012. There are 68+ section YP subcommittees (YP programs). The flagship Ambassador Lecture Program has grown from 61 sessions in 2009 to 100+ sessions in 2012, and further expansion is under way this year.
YP Committee Awards
The YPCC is proud to announce a new YP Committee Excellence Awards category for 2013. For the first time, there are four awards. Furthermore, starting this year the YP committee awards application questionnaire is integrated into a section report. We received nominations from more than 65 YP committees, an increase of 50% over last year. Award categories are as follows:
- Overall Excellence
- Most Innovative
- Most Improved
- Bridge Award (new category)—YP section that best connects with student chapter, local section, and international society
The awards will be presented to the winning sections’ YP liaisons 2 October 2013 at the President’s Luncheon, held during the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) in New Orleans, Louisiana. A team of dedicated and qualified YPCC members will be reviewing the applications and selecting the award recipients.
New Site for YP Network
Poet and educator Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “All things must change to something new, to something strange.” This applies to the online forum for young professionals.
The redesigned and recently launched new Young Professionals Network (YPN) seamlessly aligns with existing SPE Connect forums and will allow a much more user-friendly interface between young professionals.
The new site will be a single point of reference where YPs can network and share technical challenges, solutions, and best practices—both in the workplace and in the community.
Added at some point following the launch will be the ability to publicize or search upcoming YP events, upload pictures, and use many other exciting interactive resources.
A total of 16 YP Champions have been part of the process to kick-start discussions and assist in providing any information you may require.
The new YPN can be found here—http://www.spe.org/network/pns.php—using your SPE login information.
Video Library
We have posted a total of seven industry leaders’ videos on the video library. SPE has also added new content from the Emerging Leaders Alliance where significant topics such as risk management, motivation, and global team leadership are featured.
Additionally, short basic training animations are included in the young members video library. These resources can be found at http://www.spe.org/media/ym/index.php.
New for YPCC
We are planning a soft skills workshop for YPs at the upcoming ATCE organized by the Soft Skills Council, Talent Council, and YPCC. This is based on feedback from a survey in which most respondents identified YP workshops and YP sessions at SPE events as “very important.”
In addition, I would like to announce that Manish Choudhary is the incoming chair for 2013–2014. I leave YPCC strong with 15 diverse members and am confident Manish will carry forward the mission. I have enjoyed my time at YPCC and have built new bridges and relationships with YPs around the world. Finally, I would like to thank SPE staff for their behind-the-scenes support.
If you would like to join the YPCC, please click on this link for more information: http://www.spe.org/volunteer/yp_coordinating.php.
Alternatively, if you have questions for or about the YPCC, you can reach us on the Young Professionals Network.