Join Professional Associations: Membership Has Rewards
"Man is a tool-using animal...Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all" -Thomas Carlyle
Are you currently an active member of a professional association or group? Professional associations are one of the best tools out there if you are trying to stay in-the-know within your industry!
Why join a professional association?
Aside from the obvious networking possibilities with people in the same profession, which could lead to great opportunities, there are other benefits to joining professional associations. These include:
Building new skills through online or in person workshops or webinars.
Helping to shape the future of your occupation.
Developing leadership skills through committee involvement.
Staying ahead of trends in your occupation or industry.
Getting inside information on jobs and internships.
If you are a seasoned professional exploring career changes, or a student expanding your career and industry awareness, joining a professional association should be a no-brainer. Students should know there are usually significant discounts for membership available to them.
Here is a great list of professional associations with links to each. Find a few that you can further explore and possibly join so that you can attend a national conference next year!