When I moved back to Athens three years ago, I had some doubts about living as a professional here. I asked myself questions like: how can I meet young, like-minded professionals and make new friends? Is there room for me to grow my business in this “college town”?

As a recent graduate or a new person to town, the idea of carving out a new life for yourself can be daunting, especially since Athens isn’t exactly known for its huge presence of young professionals.

With these ideas floating through my head, I decided to attend my first Athens Young Professionals Network meeting in January 2011. The meeting wasn’t hugely attended that night, but it gave me hope that life as a young professional in Athens was possible. I realized that there were other young people who wanted to meet others for friendships, business partnerships, and ultimately to give back to the town that we loved.

Despite the progress that groups like the Athens Jaycees, Junior League, Four Athens and YPN have made in connecting young professionals, there is still more work to be done. Fair or not, a common perception that young people have about Athens is that opportunities are limited for those who aren’t employees of the University of Georgia or one of the hospitals.

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