Guest commentator: Catherine Roder, AVP Senior Associate at PNC

While returning from a remote work environment back into the office in 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic, I found fewer people present in Center City, Philadelphia. There was a lack of young professionals willing to network after working hours, as well as a decrease in in-person career development events. Although I attended some virtual seminars and online meetings, I felt the need to join additional programs outside the scope of my regular responsibilities. As an early career professional, I knew I needed to grow my personal network and brand both internally within my company and externally within the Philadelphia business community, and I was searching for avenues to broaden my overall involvement and career development.

Beginning with YPC

Through speaking with internal partners, I learned my employer is a Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia member company, so I was able to take advantage of the membership to become a member of YPC and have access to a myriad of YPC events. As I began to attend events, I was introduced to like-minded early career individuals and had positive experiences at YPC hosted events such as speaker series, networking events, skill development seminars, and more. Attending the networking events, in particular, helped me hone the skill of making business connections, exchanging contact information, and sharing ideas with large groups of professionals. I also became part of the YPC Board, which has taught me how internal governance comes together for the benefit of membership, and through leading a committee on content creation, I am gaining exposure to a new skillset in content development and marketing. Through YPC, I created new networks, invited other internal colleagues to YPC events, and started to develop a young professional group within PNC. Our internal emerging professionals group grew from 100 to over 350 members since 2022 and taught me how to chair a board and extensively event plan for large corporate events. Internally, we hosted a speaker series with the company President, CFO, CIO, and more executive leaders, and also hosted networking and volunteering events with colleagues. My experience in YPC and on the internal young professional board facilitates cross- collaboration and enhances my marketing, business development, and organizational skillset.

Board Service

Through my growing network with YPC, I was presented with an opportunity to join a non-profit board, Horizons at Greene Street Friends School. The organization’s mission and goals are in line with my own, and so I was able to join the board and learn directly from community leaders about the struggles of summer educational development in North Philadelphia. While speaking with other colleagues about how I enjoyed this board involvement, I was given an additional opportunity to interview and be accepted onto an additional board, Reading Allowed, to advocate for literacy support in Philadelphia, regardless of financial circumstances. This organization’s impactful work also broadened my understanding of the educational challenges Philadelphians face, and allowed me to deepen my understanding of these complex topics alongside devoted leaders. These non-profit organizations further broaden my personal and professional network and enable me to be a more active, engaged, and informed member of the local community.

Key Takeaways

From a professional standpoint, joining external groups allowed me to meet people outside my direct line of business, and helped me to expand my network into various industries and locations. My prior network was primarily within finance, and I have now been introduced to early career professional leaders in healthcare, law, advocacy, higher education, communications, and more. I honed different career skills and broadened my professional network within and outside of my company, to now have a web of 50+ colleagues in different areas of expertise and business acumen.

From a personal standpoint, I was introduced to important organizations that align with my own interests. I learned more about important and vital causes in my local community and how to support them to solve challenges, and I also was able to meet friends who share the same advocacy goals and equality inspirations as me.

Overall, joining additional groups and networks outside of traditional workplace organizations can be incredibly impactful for both professional and personal growth, and I would recommend exploring the various local options and opportunities Philadelphia has to offer.