PRESQUE ISLE — Momentum Aroostook, MMG Insurance and the University of Maine at Presque Isle have announced that nominations are now open for the eighth annual Young Professionals Institute, running this year on Tuesdays from March 3 to April 14. The online nomination/application form is available at www.umpi.edu/ypi. The nomination deadline is Friday, Jan. 30.
YPI provides the area’s young professionals with a one-of-a-kind professional development opportunity — a seven-week short course designed specifically for emerging leaders looking to refine the skills that will bring them long-term success in their careers. Participants hone their professional skills through hands-on activities, on-the-spot public speaking assignments and business simulation exercises. Along the way, participants visit local businesses and organizations to complete on-site assignments and hear presentations by embedded guests from the public and private sectors. The Institute culminates in a showcase presentation before area business and community leaders and past YPI graduates.
“Momentum Aroostook is very much looking forward to providing some professional development opportunities to this year’s group of YPI participants,” said Amy Bouchard, Momentum Aroostook steering committee chair. “Our people are our most valuable resource and being a part of YPI encourages young professionals in our area to live, work and flourish in Aroostook County, which fits in with the mission of Momentum Aroostook.”
The theme of this year’s Institute is “Workplace Success in the Age of Information Overload,” which will focus on the skills employers are looking for in prospective employees and candidates for advancement, including: innovation, organization, communication, teamwork, problem analysis and prioritization. Participants will work together to tackle new assignments each week focused on these skill areas.
“It is so exciting to be a part of the eighth year of YPI,” said Carolyn Dorsey, UMPI coordinator for the YPI. “The evolving nature of YPI allows us to incorporate timely topics into the curriculum. The program is designed to be nimble so we can adjust according to the needs of the organizations and employees that participate. This allows for immediate impact in the workplace and enhances the participant experience. The YPI model is a tremendous example of how educators, representatives from the public and private sector, and area residents, are collaborating to provide affordable, local professional development opportunities.”
During the short course, participants will take part in role-playing scenarios that refine their abilities to pitch proposals and deliver presentations, conduct mock interviews that give them experience in working with the media, and network with local officials and statewide leaders. A popular component incorporated again this year is an exchange event that will take participants to Cary Medical Center and TAMC for an extended session.
“As the largest employer and largest provider of healthcare services in northern Maine, we see great value in the Young Professionals Institute. The program is crucial to grooming future leaders of The County’s private and public sector. TAMC has not only been pleased to have members of our team participate in each of the annual sessions since the program was founded, but to have partnered with our friends at Cary Medical Center over the past few years to coordinate one of the sessions that not only exposes the young professionals to the wonderful healthcare resources available in central Aroostook, but exposes them to real-world experiences faced by working professionals,” said Jason Parent, TAMC director of advancement.
Bill Flagg, director of community relations and development at Cary Medical Center, who has worked with the YPI program over the past several years, said that the experience has been very positive for hospital staff members who have participated.
“I think this program is wonderful for up-and-comers in an organization like Cary Medical Center,” said Flagg, who has recommended a number of hospital employees to YPI. “The program can really help build on strengths of leadership and team-building. It also helps the employee to build connections that can be very useful throughout their career.”
The Institute will be facilitated by university officials, members of Momentum Aroostook, several local business and community leaders, and the graduates of past YPIs.
“It gets you out of your element on purpose and provides you with great opportunities to network with other local professionals that you normally wouldn’t interact with,” said Brandon Carlow in describing the course. Carlow is a YPI 7 graduate and employee with MMG Insurance.
There are only 14 seats available for YPI 8. Professionals interested in taking the course must submit their names for nomination or have their business employer nominate them. The nomination deadline is Friday, Jan. 30. Selections will be announced Friday, Feb. 6. A $200 registration fee, paid by course participants or their business sponsors, is due by Monday, Feb. 23.
This year’s YPI sessions will be held on March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, and April 7 and 14. Most sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Alumni Room of UMPI’s Campus Center. However, class time will be expanded from 4-7 p.m. on April 14.
For more information about the short course, which is not being offered for academic credit, visit www.umpi.edu/ypi or call Linda McLaughlin in UMPI’s College of Professional Programs at 768-9740 or email linda.mclaughlin1@umpi.edu.
