By Karel Mc Intosh
Contributor

If there was ever a career almanac, one of the first chapters would be devoted to professional associations. In many industries, the professional association is a group that lends credibility to the profession, creates standards that members abide by, and ensures that due recognition is brought to the field. Members often benefit from its effectiveness as a career development tool.

Benefits of joining an association
There are no disadvantages to joining a valuable, professional association. Proven to help you grow in your personal and professional lives, associations offer a slew of benefits – networking, knowledge resources, credibility, and a key to the industry grapevine. Additionally, as associations’ memberships grow, so does your social circle.

Your relationships with peers provide you with a soundboard for ideas, current issues, and developments in your industry. You’ll also meet people who are at various levels of their career. So, if you’re now starting out in the field, you benefit from the wisdom and experience of others, and if you’re at the top of the corporate ladder – but want to stay connected to the experiences of younger persons in the field – you also have a think tank at hand.

Associations often remain abreast of current and growing trends and pass this knowledge onto their members. They also provide relevant literature through newsletters, seminars and a library. Professional groups also offer job listings and an opportunity for members to advertise what they are looking for. This is a great bonus for jobs seekers. Volunteering your services is also a good technique to get noticed by “head hunters”.

Business intelligence
Business owners can find great opportunities in professional associations. People become aware of your company, and you also learn about other businesses. More than that, entrepreneurs can volunteer to assist with various projects and join committees. Invariably, positive karma will come back to you, because people will remember the good work you did, and awareness of you and your business will increase.

Additionally, as you’re part of the industry network, you’ll be privy to industry news and the industry grapevine.

Excuses for not joining
The benefits you gain from a membership depends on the value your association provides. This ultimately depends on its leadership, member support and the structures that are implemented to ensure member satisfaction.

Sometimes people resist joining associations because of the time they may need to invest in networking and attending events, registration costs, and not knowing how to balance association activities with other responsibilities.

To assess how much effort and time you will need to invest in being a member, talk to an existing member to gain insight. Enquire about committees to see where you would like to actively participate. Most associations have several including communications, membership, professional development, events, administration, and outreach committees. You can choose to be an enduring volunteer, who can assist with projects for the long term, or you can be a drive-by volunteer, who can assist from project to project.

If cost is a major factor for you, several associations offer corporate packages. You can enquire about these with your manager to see whether you’re eligible, so that the company will pay fees. While some membership fees may seem costly, you should also consider the costs they incur in ensuring that the organisation is efficiently run, and able to meet members’ needs. Often, you will find the fee well worth the cost for a great association.

Maximise your benefits
To maximise your professional association membership:

• Maintain contact with peers


• Know the key players in the association


• Join committees


• Read and apply information gleaned from newsletters and industry literature


• Find out more about hot topics and issues to be current


• Have a strategy for mingling at events; if you’re shy and need moral support to socialise, carry a colleague with you

Professional memberships will always keep you up-to-date with your industry, and thus the tools to develop your career. Whether you’re in a job where you’re fulfilled, you’re looking for a new opportunity, or you’re an entrepreneur, a professional association gives you the network and information to guide you.

The author is a Trinidad-based public relations and communications professional. She publishes http://www.caribbbeanprblog.com. You can contact her at caribbeanprblog@yahoo.com.