The Dublin Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy 2010 is accepting applications from young professionals ready to take their career to the next level. The academy is a focused, six-session program for young professionals to network with community leaders and their peers while learning the latest career management techniques.

Set to begin Jan. 16, the academy includes sessions on motivational empowerment for business and life, career advancement and networking skills.

"I grew up in Dublin and have been very active in the Chamber’s NextGen Dublin young professionals group," says Jonathan Codispoti of New England Financial, who graduated from the academy's inaugural class in 2009. "Attending the academy brought everything together for me. I have a new appreciation for giving back to the community in which I was raised, and I’ve been able to use some of the advice given to advance in the business world."

Each session features a dynamic speaker and is held at a Dublin-area business. Tuition is only $299 per person and may be sponsored by an employer or paid by an individual.

The first session will be from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 16, with remaining classes to be held every other Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 27 through March 24. All graduates will be invited to an exclusive graduation ceremony at the Muirfield Village Golf Club. To request an application, call the Dublin Chamber of Commerce at 614-889-2001 or register online at www.NextGenDublin.com.

The Leadership Academy is a program of the Chamber’s young professionals group, NextGen Dublin. In addition to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Academy sponsors are: City of Dublin, Affiliated Resource Group, Inc., State Rep. John Patrick Carney, BMI Federal Credit Union, Griffin-Lantz Insurance Agency LCC, River’s Edge Pediatrics, Inc., Roush Hardware, Strip, Hoppers, Leithart, McGrath and Terlecky Co. LPA and Sutphen Corporation.