YOUNG PROFESSIONAL (YP) GROUP FORMATION
Why YP Membership in ISPE?
YPs get easy to access resources that help them succeed in the pharma industry:
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Network with THE industry leaders and experts in the field
who are making the decisions shaping the future.
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Educational Programs on topics critical to advancing in the
industry and taught by speakers who can relate the material
to the Young Professional needs.
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Local Affiliate/Chapter Mentoring programs with industry
professionals who can help accelerate your career
advancement.
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Member-Only Savings with Discounted YP Rates for most
ISPE training and conferences and local Affiliate/Chapter
events.
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Volunteering opportunities to help plan events with peers. A
great way to develop leadership skills and expand your
professional network.
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Career Services—a full range of career services, including a
personalized job search agent on ISPE’s online Career
Solutions job board.
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Pharmaceutical Engineering—online access to ISPE’s bimonthly magazine featuring technical articles, case studies,
regulatory news, industry trends, and the latest scientific and
technical developments and regulatory initiatives across the
entire industry, as well as practical solutions to real-life
problems and challenges you’re facing right now.
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ISPEAK – ISPE’s blog provides the latest information on a
variety of industry hot topics to help advance pharmaceutical
industry knowledge and facilitate idea-sharing and
conversation.
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Online Technical/Regulatory Resources—Exclusive
Members-only information to increase your knowledge—
accessible on the ISPE website.
Who are YPs?
YPs are individuals just starting in the industry and within their first 4 years after completing their half- to full-time university
education.
Employers are encouraged to support their young professionals through learning about the program and possibly assisting with
the ISPE membership dues.
How the local Affiliate or Chapter Can Help
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Appoint a Young Professional Committee Chair to act as the
liaison between the local Affiliate/ Chapter and your YP
group.
Provide guest speakers from among the membership for YP
meetings.
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Arrange for corporate sponsorship of events, transportation
of YP members for plant tours, or ISPE membership.
•
Offer a reduced young professional rate for Affiliate/Chapter
programs.
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Encourage YPs to get involved in their local community.
Provide mentors to YPs.
Young Professional Group Formation Flow Chart
1. Determine interest, review ISPE’s online YP toolkit, and contact your local ISPE Affiliate or Chapter for start-up funds. All should
be willing to set aside money for the future of their Group!
2. Activation Committee: Provide a suggested temporary Chair and Co-Chair, and engage ISPE Affiliate/Chapter Board for support.
3. Contact ISPE headquarters for partner YP groups to help support the new YP Group.
4. Recruit a few Members dedicated to showing up and having a positive attitude. Immediately have them start doing the same!
5. Hold first networking and/or educational programs and allow anyone (even non-Members!) to attend. Encourage them to join
(under the reduced YP dues rate, if applicable) at the end of each meeting/session.
6. Encourage eager Members to help plan the next event! Always keep the ball rolling!
Areas of Focus
Years 1-2: Meetings
Years 3+: Meetings
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For new YP Group, most events tend to be social in nature
(trivia night, boat cruise, wine tasting)
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Continue to hold events that allow anyone to join, but keep a
small number of them as YP only. You want to make sure
you have space for everyone in your target audience to join!
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Invite ardent supporters and experienced professionals form
the local ISPE Affiliate/Chapter to join in the fun.
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Charge a small fee for each event; you may not make a
profit, but it will hold people accountable for their attendance.
Once you have enough YP Members, start planning bigger
events—both social and educational (dual-track educational
programs at major local events, YPs vs. Veterens softball
game).
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Keep committees responsible, but make sure there is
constant turnover. New leadership encourages innovation,
and nobody wants to get burned out.
Keep YPs Actively Engaged:
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Publish articles in the local Affiliate or Chapter newsletter!
Get involved in Community Service Programs
Technical projects or design contests
Get involved in student activities
Technical and resume writing training and interviewing techniques
Always Remember:
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Be approachable: YP’s are nervous to attend an event for the first time. Make them feel comfortable and engage with them from
the start.
Encourage involvement: Once you have their trust and attention, ask them to help plan events, participate in a panel or help recruit
a speaker. Keep them involved long after they’ve gone home.
Core Committees: Ask them to sit at the table. Give them a task. Delegation on your side is empowerment on their side.
Value their opinions: Each YP will have valuable input. Ask for their opinions and ideas as they might be looking for something
different.
Be personable: Recruit one by one. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Walk the talk: Don’t just talk about the value proposition, show them how the ISPE benefits can help them advance their careers.
Get them early: The sooner you get people engaged, the better.
Final Thoughts
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Provide venues for new and existing YPs to connect, build relationships, share ideas and get involved in the community.
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Educate YPs on current industry issues.
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Write newsletter articles and take photos at every meeting; brag about all the great things you’re accomplishing!
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Empower YPs with a voice concerning business, community, and government issues
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Create opportunities for YPs to succeed and grow roots in your geographic area.
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Engage a generation and cultivate our future leaders.
Who to Contact
If you have questions on how to start an ISPE YP Group, please contact Grace Ewen at ISPE at gewen@ISPE.org or +1-813-9602105, Ext. 225, or Tracey Ryan at tryan@ISPE.org or +1-813-960-2105, Ext. 279.
ISPE
600 N Westshore Blvd, Suite 900  Tampa, FL 33609-1114  +1-813-960-2105  ISPE.org