Imagine someone moving to a new city just out of college. The newbie finds a job making just enough money to get by and begins his or her first career.

Unfortunately, this transplant doesn’t know anyone in town, so how is he or she going to succeed in the business world (much less get a life)?

Networking. The opportunities are all around. The Little Rock area is home to some excellent nonprofits. These nonprofits have committees of dedicated volunteers who typically work with complete strangers on the common goal of raising money for their organizations. And during the fund-raising process, relationships are born, friendships begin and business contacts are forged.

Fine resources exist outside of the world of philanthropy, your local chamber of commerce among them. Central Arkansas has two of the best chambers in the area: the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. Those new to the area can instantly plug into the business community and meet the region's major players through these two organizations.

Consider your local chamber a "business playground." The contacts are endless.

Chamber members and staff love to see young professionals tackling the business world one event, one business card at a time. When a CEO sees a motivated young professional, her eyes light up, and she visualizes this hard worker working for her company.

That’s not all. The Arkansas Young Professionals Network (www.AYPN.org) is the perfect way to meet peers as ambitious as you. The organization also provides opportunities not just to become involved in the community but to assume a leadership role. At AYPN, you can create great friendships, friendships that will last a lifetime. And with these relationships comes trust, the trust you'll need to conduct business in Arkansas.

All these venues — philanthropic work, the local chamber of commerce, the AYPN — offer newcomers a chance to meet like-minded people. They also provide opportunities to hone leadership, management and speaking skills — skills that can be listed on a resume.

In many ways, this is my story. I’m a 28-year-old professional who, after moving to Little Rock, used to spend weekends playing cards with my parents because I didn’t know many people in town. Don’t get me wrong. I like playing cards with my parents. But I wanted more.

So I got busy, discovering the outstanding opportunities Little Rock has to offer. I’ve gained many friendships, I have a great job, and I have an exciting future. Little Rock should be at the top of the list for young professionals across the nation.

Don’t wait any longer. Get yourself out there. Find your future.

(Ed Linck recently worked as membership director for the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is now business development manager for Logisco in Little Rock. You can reach Ed at elinck@teamlogisco.com.)