Get Connected Ready To Offer New Network, Programs

Get Connected—NABE’s new program for early and mid-career professionals—will be ready for launch at the Washington Policy Conference, March 3-4. Organizers have put together a unique mix of networking and programs designed to enrich careers and benefit the organization in a variety of ways.

In conjunction with the Get Connected launch, NABE had posted a revamped Careers Center on www.nabe.com. The new pages include profiles of several NABE members working in a variety of jobs in which they use economics, plus highlights of the latest salary survey and a members-only employment registry.  See the Careers Center at: http://nabe.com/careers/index.html. 

Under the leadership of board member Chris Swann, the Get Connected team has designed a multi-faceted “community for newer NABE members.”   The program’s hallmark will be “career-enriching programs and flexible, creative activities.”

Get Connected’s major components include:

• A mentoring program through which Get Connected members can link with more seasoned NABE members for career guidance
• Online networking capability for Get Connected members to get to know each other and stay connected with each other
• Chapter involvement that will give Get Connected members opportunities at the local level
• Planned sessions or special activities in 2008 at the March Policy Conference and the 50th Annual Meeting in October, and the Professional Development Seminar in June

“NABE membership should be a lifelong association.  The mission of Get Connected is to provide an entry point for new members to connect to NABE, link up with other NABE members, and find information and activities that are of particular relevance to skills and career development,” Swann said.  The group wants to become “the `welcome mat’ for new members and the pathway to help guide their association with NABE as they develop into seasoned professionals.”

The original Get Connected task force included Stephanie Wu, chairperson, Maia Pykina, Kshama Harpankar, and Kim Flood. In addition to Swann, NABE staff members serving on the advisory panel are Bruce Kratofil (webmaster), Melissa Golding (press officer), Susan Doolittle (executive director), and Pam Ginsbach (NABE News editor).  Since the September annual meeting, the Get Connected team has mushroomed and now includes Olga Camargo, Debbie Cason, Candice Hynek, Terrin Mendivil, Eduardo Martinez, Robert Kleinhenz, and Michael Warner.

After the formal launch it will be easy for all to join, but if you would like to find out more now contact Swann at 202-606-9233 or cmswann@aol.com.  The first Get Connected page and an online registration link are coming soon.