The typical Tulane student can sometimes feel far removed from the great challenges facing the permanent residents of New Orleans, but one problem affects Tulanians in particular: the "Brain Drain."
While New Orleans needs more young people to invest their lives in the city, those considering committing to the Crescent City are faced with a dearth of attractive jobs and amenities, especially if they have professional aspirations.
Like almost every problem in New Orleans, the brain drain is not new. Organizations such as the Young Leadership Council (YLC) have long tried to "plug" the leak of young bright minds from the city. Since Hurricane Katrina, the need for energetic and civic-minded adults has become especially acute. At the same time, the devastation wrought by the storm has forged a stronger bond between many young "transplants" and the city.
A new non-profit organization, the Nola Yurp Initiative, has taken on the problem. Young Urban Rebuilding Professional is taking a "Web 2.0" meets "social capital" approach to solving the conundrum. It aims to make the city a better place both for those that have long lived in the city and those young people considering making it home.
"[Nola Yurp] is a social and economic development organization designed to connect young people within the city to retain and attract educated human capital," said Nola Yurp co-founder Zachary Kupperman, a Tulane law student.
Unlike other organizations like the YLC, Nola Yurp is a free, open-membership online network. Members have profiles consisting of both professional and social sections, which people can use to find others who are involved in projects or job sectors of interest. The network, launched in June, already has nearly 1,400 members and has held two social events - one at the W hotel in the French Quarter, and one at Republic New Orleans.
"The online network is our first feature program," Kupperman said. "We want to show that there is a viable and robust community of young people here, and to help them connect and share information. Jobs are our number one priority."
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