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Becoming BN Inspires Young Professionals, Positioning Bloomington-Normal as the Ideal Location for Professional and Personal Growth
About Becoming BN:
Becoming BN, a workforce development initiative and subsidiary of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, invites interns, college students, and young professionals in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois to discover the businesses, leaders, and opportunities that make our community a great place to live and do business.
Through Becoming BN events and programming, participants build meaningful connections with local employers, other interns, and community leaders while exploring what it’s like to build a career in McLean County.
Becoming BN 2026:
Throughout the series, attendees will explore the community, discover resources available to young professionals, strengthen skills that support long-term career growth, and experience firsthand why so many professionals choose to live and work in McLean County.
For Employers:
“To attract and retain talented employees, interns must feel connected to our local community. By putting down roots in Bloomington-Normal, they can truly call this place home. That’s why we strongly encourage interns to participate in Becoming BN events—a space where they can experience the essence of Bloomington-Normal while having a blast!"
-Carrie Albright Talent Development Consultant at COUNTRY Financial.
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce hosted a three-part “Becoming BN” social networking series during the 2025 summer. The series brought together young professionals, interns, and local leaders to foster connections, highlight local businesses and events, and provide professional insight from a variety of industries. We’re excited to bring Becoming BN back again next year and continue building an even stronger community of young professionals!
In 2025, Becoming BN achieved remarkable success through three distinct networking events designed to provide intentional connection to local leaders, business professionals, and peers during its Intern Socials. Over 100 of Bloomington-Normal's emerging talent were in attendance as they got to know each other and build their network of professional relationships. They also had the opportunity to experience the benefits and programs offered by several local non-profits, discovering how they can elevate their community through volunteer efforts.
Becoming BN strives to cultivate our local talent pool and establish a supportive, vibrant community for interns, young professionals, and college students to engage with. Many were thrilled to meet interns from diverse backgrounds and companies, which fostered a sense of community and broadened their perspectives. For someone new to the area, the opportunity to socialize with peers in similar fields was a fantastic way to explore the local scene and discover new spots in town. Recognizing the importance of exceptional experiences, the Chamber aims to inspire them to wholeheartedly adopt Bloomington-Normal as their own.