If you’re not familiar with professional associations, they are typically nonprofit organizations that seek to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession and the public interest. There are numerous organizations in the U.S. and around the world that represent different professions. No matter your specialty, you can find anything from The Knitting Guild Association to the National Association for Women MBAs to the National Bricklayers Association. You name it, there’s one for almost every interest and profession out there.
So you may be asking, is it worth it to join one? It depends. Some offer a myriad of benefits that can help you build your network, stay current in your career and even advance your qualifications. Some organizations have thousands of members and others have hundreds or less. Before committing to a membership, see if you can try out an event or two for free, or speak with a current member to decide if it’s right for you. When it’s an established or well-run association, you can really benefit from it. Here’s how.
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Events. Most associations offer member events with panels of experts or workshops. Not only are these great opportunities to deepen your expertise in your field, you will also meet people who do similar work. If you’re looking for a career mentor or to make a change, this is a great way to find people who may be able to help you.
Showcase expertise. If you’re looking to coin yourself as an expert in your profession or establish yourself as an orator, the association may give you the reins to do so. There may be opportunities to write for a blog or publication, present on a panel or conduct a lecture of your own. This can help you build credibility as an expert in your field and enable you to develop your public speaking skills.
Access information. Associations tend to publish newsletters and house relevant professional resources on their websites. If you’re looking to stay up to date on developments in your field, the organization should allow you to do just that, saving you time and the headache of searching on your own.
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Advertising. If you work independently as a consultant or own a business, you may be able to use the association’s platform or message boards to advertise your services — either for free or for a fee. Ask who the audience is and who can access the advertisements. You’ll want to know who the consumers are and whether the information will be seen beyond the association’s members. You might want to do additional due diligence and ask for statistics about usage numbers or success rates, which may not be tracked, but it can’t hurt to ask!
Career growth. Many associations are responsible for delivering and conferring certifications in their field. Others offer training and coursework that allow professionals to further their knowledge. Some employers will pay for training toward certifications offered. Taking part in continuing education will not only increase your qualifications to give you a leg up in your career, but also introduce you to other professionals in your field. Again, these folks can help you with your career moves down the road.
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Encourage an agenda. Lastly, this is not as much tied to your career growth as it is to a job, but associations are an important mechanism for furthering an agenda. For example, if you are a government relations specialist who is trying to get an issue in front of policymakers, identify and meet with pertinent associations to promote your agenda and see how you can work together. Perhaps you are a franchiser and you have an interest in getting new legislation passed. Talk to your association to express your opinion and find out how you can get involved.
There are many advantages to joining a well-established professional organization. Do your research to determine if the association is active and also to find out what it offers to its members. It may be worthwhile joining for a year to find out what it’s all about. And if you do join, include your membership in the organization on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
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