Young Professionals
A&WMA values and strongly supports the development of our young professionals (YPs) by constructing services and activities designed to strengthen our membership base younger than 35. In addition to offering a discounted membership rate, YPs enjoy all the benefits of full membership and have access to YP-only programs, including networking and mentorship opportunities.
RECENT GRADUATES: If you're a current student member of A&WMA and have just graduated, you are eligible for a free, one-year A&WMA YP membership!
Young Professionals Network
Stay connected. Many Sections and Chapters have active YP groups who plan programs, networking events, and activities tailored toward YPs. Members find these connections and networking opportunities beneficial to career advancement.
YP Events at the Annual Conference
See what hundreds of young professionals are discovering at A&WMA’s Annual Conference & Exhibition (ACE). YPs have plenty of opportunities at the conference to network, present, and publish their work, and further their professional education.
ACE 2025 is taking place June 9-12, 2025 in Raleigh, NC. Visit the ACE 2025 YP page to see the events planned this year!
Young Professional Awards
The Outstanding Young Professional Award recognizes an individual or individuals who are pursuing excellence in their careers and have made a valuable contribution to A&WMA by serving in a leadership position. This award is presented annually.
Each year, the YP Best Paper Award recognizes the papers that are judged to be the best among those presented by young professionals at the A&WMA Annual Conference & Exhibition. The primary author must be 35 years of age or less on the last day of the conference and must submit a full-length paper or extended abstract for technical review.
Young Professionals Advisory Council
The A&WMA Young Professional Advisory Council (YPAC) advises the A&WMA Board of Directors and other Councils of services and activities to effectively engage YPs. This Council recruits and retains YP members by fostering relationships with current YP members, employers, and A&WMA Sections and Chapters, by serving in roles within A&WMA, and by facilitating the integration of student members into the Association upon graduation.
Not sure where to start? Contact YPAC Chair Nadine de Bruyn and see how you can get involved.
| YPs receive discounted annual dues for the first five consecutive years of membership. |
RECENT GRADUATES: If you're a current student member of A&WMA and have just graduated, you are eligible for a free, one-year A&WMA YP membership!
Young Professionals Network
Stay connected. Many Sections and Chapters have active YP groups who plan programs, networking events, and activities tailored toward YPs. Members find these connections and networking opportunities beneficial to career advancement.
YP Events at the Annual Conference
See what hundreds of young professionals are discovering at A&WMA’s Annual Conference & Exhibition (ACE). YPs have plenty of opportunities at the conference to network, present, and publish their work, and further their professional education.
ACE 2025 is taking place June 9-12, 2025 in Raleigh, NC. Visit the ACE 2025 YP page to see the events planned this year!
Young Professional Awards
The Outstanding Young Professional Award recognizes an individual or individuals who are pursuing excellence in their careers and have made a valuable contribution to A&WMA by serving in a leadership position. This award is presented annually.
Each year, the YP Best Paper Award recognizes the papers that are judged to be the best among those presented by young professionals at the A&WMA Annual Conference & Exhibition. The primary author must be 35 years of age or less on the last day of the conference and must submit a full-length paper or extended abstract for technical review.
Young Professionals Advisory Council
The A&WMA Young Professional Advisory Council (YPAC) advises the A&WMA Board of Directors and other Councils of services and activities to effectively engage YPs. This Council recruits and retains YP members by fostering relationships with current YP members, employers, and A&WMA Sections and Chapters, by serving in roles within A&WMA, and by facilitating the integration of student members into the Association upon graduation.
Not sure where to start? Contact YPAC Chair Nadine de Bruyn and see how you can get involved.
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Connect with A&WMA YPs!
The YP Connection Newsletter
Latest Issue: April 2025
Past Issues:
December 2024
October 2024
June 2024
If you would like to submit an article, please send an email with "YP Connection" in the subject line to Jake Rattay and Zak Schmidt.
Publishing Young Professionals
YPAC is looking for volunteers to share career tips and content for young professionals in the YP Perspective column in EM Magazine. Click above to view the steps of being published, and contact Wesley Hovatter for more information.
YP Advice Column
Have a question about young professional life? Ask here! Submissions remain anonymous and we will post responses on the A&WMA YP LinkedIn page.
A&WMA Academy
Watch the first episode of A&WMA Academy, a digital property designed to bridge the gap between networking, conferences, and normalcy! YP Paul Algu interviews Kim Marcus, Partner with ERM and 2020 A&WMA President.
