In just one year’s time the Caterpillar Lafayette Young Professionals (YP) group has had many accomplishments, including winning Outstanding New Chapter for the North American Region.
Since its inception in December 2016, Lafayette YP has grown to reach 70 members and hosted events that inspire professional development, encourage networking among co-workers, and instill the responsibility to give back to greater Lafayette through community outreach.
Lafayette YP quickly embraced a goal to impact the local community by inspiring young people to learn about careers in STEM, which led to a partnership with Imagination Station science center. The science center, is dedicated to providing science related hands-on learning experiences for children. During the Lafayette Engine Center’s 35th Anniversary Celebration, Lafayette YP and Imagination Station hosted a variety of hands on experiences for employees and their families to interact with and enjoy.
As the headline sponsor for Imagination Station’s 16th Annual Hands on Transportation event - the YP group provided children an opportunity to interact with unique vehicles including Cat equipment. With Caterpillar’s support, the event raised the most money to date and had the largest participation with over 1,500 people in attendance.
Monthly socials provide an opportunity to get to know co-workers from various departments throughout the enterprise in a casual setting outside of work. Through a demonstration led by YP co-chair, members were able to learn the capabilities of the 3-D printers, and how they are currently being used in the large power business. Quarterly coffee chats offer members an opportunity to learn from local leaders who share everything from their own career journeys, to professional advice and lessons learned along the way. The Lafayette YP group also discovered an opportunity to impact the business by enhancing the internship experience within the facility and began hosting welcome lunches for incoming interns to introduce them to those within the company.
In its first year of organization, the Lafayette YP chapter has already been able to leverage the enthusiasm and experience of its members to hold the honor of being named Outstanding New Chapter for the North American Region and are certain to accomplish much more in the coming years.
To learn more about organizations and opportunities within Caterpillar please visit: https://www.caterpillar.com/en/careers/culture/employee-resource-groups.html
Author: Morgan Upshaw
