The Columbus Chamber will be unveiling the results of a young professional survey this Wednesday at the 2011 State of the Young Professional event. The information gathered for this event was gathered from over 1,000 local young professionals who provided information on income levels, community diversity and social capital.
“The 2011 results show that we have made significant progress in many of the categories,” said Robbie Banks, Manager of Young Professionals at The Columbus Chamber. “But, there is still work to be done, particularly in the area of transportation.”
Central Ohioans between the ages of 25 and 44 have an aggregate income of over $18 billion per year, totaling approximately 39% of the region’s overall aggregate income. Central Ohioans between the ages of 25 and 34 make up less 15% of the overall regional population.
In 2007, the Columbus Chamber launched an initiative focused on the attraction and retention of young professionals to assist with stabilizing our local workforce and to counteract the “brain drain” effect of young people moving away from the Central Ohio region after college graduation.
“Young professionals comprise a significant portion of the Columbus Region’s workforce and entrepreneurial community,” Banks said. “That makes them a vital part of the Chamber’s mission of helping to retain and expand businesses.”
Young artists, entrepreneurs, professionals are invited to attend in addition to local civic and business leaders from around the region.
The 2011 State of the Young Professional takes place on Wednesday, October 26th from 4pm to 7:30pm at the Embassy Suites Columbus, located at 2886 Airport Drive. A career and professional development event takes place from 4 to 5:45 p.m. and is $30 to attend. Networking and refreshments begins at 5pm and the State of the Young Professional program runs from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, both of which are free to attend.
More information and online registration for Wednesday’s event can be found at Columbus.org/YP.
Skyline photo by Randall Lee Schieber, provided courtesy of The Columbus Chamber.