The Young Professionals (YP) Technical Session is designed to support early-career water professionals by combining interactive team building with practical professional development. This highly attended session provides a welcoming environment for networking, collaboration, and skill growth.

The session will begin with a 45-minute interactive icebreaker activity focused on team building and peer connection. Participants will work in small groups to solve challenges that encourage communication, problem solving, and collaboration. This portion of the session helps attendees expand their professional networks, build confidence, and establish connections that often continue beyond the conference.

The second half of the session will feature a 45-minute keynote presentation by an experienced industry professional. The keynote will focus on a soft skill essential to career development for young professionals in the water sector. Past topics have included overcoming imposter syndrome, effective time management, building strong workplace relationships, and learning from professional setbacks. The presentation will provide practical strategies that attendees can immediately apply in their careers.

Together, these two components create a dynamic session that balances engagement with meaningful professional development. By fostering both peer connection and skill building, the YP Technical Session equips young professionals with tools to navigate early career challenges and contribute more effectively to their organizations and communities.