Five Reasons to Join Professional Associations

Professional associations add value to the pertinent profession. Most professions are linked to a professional association. Most associations meet once a week. The format is typically lunch or breakfast, networking, speaker and job announcements. Some organizations have student chapters and students pay a reduced rate to join.

In this day and age, the investment is worth cost. The employment climate is very competitive and employers have cut back or eliminated professional development. It is important that employees stay abreast of industry trends. Usually there is a national organization with state chapters. Look for a local chapter in your area.

The benefits are as follows:

1. Networking: It’s one thing to network with a group of people in varied professional backgrounds; but it’s another to hob-knob amidst a group of like-minded people in your chosen industry. At any given professional association event, there will likely be hiring managers or decision makers in an organization. Networking at these events can always benefit you. en if you already have a career that you are happy with, networking within professional organizations can provide a great opportunity to gain insight into your respective industry through informal communication.

2. Job Opportunities: Often times, professional associations host password-protected job boards on their website. Unlike general job posting sites, these boards are geographically or industry-specific—which makes it easier for to sift through the job listings. Association memberships often allow you full access to these highly relevant job boards.

3. Conferences: Professional associations from heath care to marketing host annual conferences. These conferences showcase high-profile keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and often introduce new technologies or ways of thinking. All of these conference activities support great outcomes for your career.

4. Certifications: In a highly competitive job market, it is crucial to obtain as much training as possible in a given field. Many professional associations offer their members certification that allows professionals to gain the ever-evolving edge in their chosen career.

5. Training & Workshops: In addition to certifications, professional associations offer multiple training events and workshops throughout the year for their members. These events give members an all-access pass to expanding their knowledge on topics including leadership, organization, technology, development and more.

About the Author: Bridget VanHolland-Williams, M.B.A. is an adjunct faculty for Rasmussen College Online. In this position, she teaches college students seeking online business degrees in specializations including business management, marketing and sales degrees, and more.