| June 17, 2008 |
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Madison Magnet: Member Comments
by Jessica VanEgeren
Photo by Rebecca Thorman
A Madison MAGNET happy hour at Madison's bar downtown.
Quick facts about MAGNET:
- Started 2004 with 125 at a kickoff event with Madison's "Mayor Dave"
- Cost to join: $35
- Now approx. 350 members
- 72% of Members are Single
- 80% of Members are 34 or younger
- www.madisonmagnet.org
"Whether you want to hang out with friends or be the next CEO of your company, MAGNET has events that cover it all," claims Rebecca Thorman, the group's executive director.
The social and professional networking organization continues in its mission to attract and retain area young professionals by providing numerous platforms for people age 21 and up to meet and connect on work and social issues in the gap created between the end of college and the time before they "settle down."
The group is volunteer-driven, which means all the events and activities first began as the idea of a member. To broaden its reach, MAGNET has split its interests into five main categories: community service, entrepreneurship, professional development, public policy and social and cultural events.
What Erin Richardson thinks of Magnet
Madison native Erin Richardson, 33, an assistant in the intellectual property department with Whyte, Hirschboeck, Dudek, has been a MAGNET member for two years and co-chairs the social committee. She stresses that MAGNET is not just a group for singles, although it's easy to find a date if that's what you're after. She started dating someone she met at her first MAGNET meeting. Still, she says criticism that MAGNET is merely a meat market for single professionals is a bit harsh, given the demographics of the members. "What do people want us to do, separate the boys from the girls?" she asks. "If you ask me, it's an added bonus."
Also, Richardson noted, conversations at events increasingly are becoming more in-depth, not just the mundane "where do you work, what do you do," which she views as a positive step. "It's bringing people together on a more personal level," she says.
She adds that in upcoming months, MAGNET will begin to broaden its mission in an attempt to get members even more involved in the community.
"It won't be so much what MAGNET can do for its members, but what the members can do for Madison," she says.
Why Dale Beermann Joined Magnet
Dale Beermann, 27, is a co-founder of Sharendipity, a Madison-based software company. He says, "Madison isn't an easy place to meet people. A typical weekend usually means heading out to the bars with friends, but you're not really meeting and talking to new people. MAGNET is the only group of its kind in Madison where you can go to meet people and grow your network."
The first MAGNET event that caught Beermann's attention wasn't a social event, but a presentation given by Penelope Trunk, the Brazen Career columnist. Not long after, he volunteered to serve as co-chair for its entrepreneurial committee. He's since organized a six-part "Entrepreneurial Toolkit" series that began in March and is running through the end of the year.
"For me, it seemed like a good opportunity to have an impact on where the group was going and to take my experiences to the rest of the organization," Beermann says.
All events aren't popular with everyone.
Nick Mortenson's take on Magnet
For some members, like Nick Mortenson, MAGNET events can, at times, seem a little forced and phony.
"There is a certain amount of cheesy transparency to it," Mortensen says. "It seems like the same group of people who in high school would join certain groups or do certain activities only because it would look good on a college application."
The 30-year-old moved to Madison last summer to pursue a new career path as a comedian. He was formerly vice president of his dad's company in Green Bay, a role he admits he wasn't necessary qualified for, but he took it to gain professional experience. A lack of need or desire to "move up the corporate ladder" may be impacting his view of MAGNET, he admits.
"There are a lot of good people there, good food and pretty girls. It's a perfectly fine afternoon here and there," Mortensen adds. "Overall, it's a good thing for the members. You do have to learn how to network and it's easier to learn with people your own age."
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