Utilize a Professional Association for Career Advancement
by Alice Rush, MA, CCC- Certified Career Counselor
“Are you looking for a way to gain benefits and access to a professional association right away? Here is a specific Action plan to follow, outlined below.”
Professional Associations have National Chapters, and Local Chapters.
Find the local chapter in your area. You do not need to join both the national chapter and the local chapter- most important is the local chapter for networking if you plan to build your career locally. If student, Ask for their student discount for membership.
Ask for a calendar of events and benefits and go to the next meeting, virtual or not- you don't need to join an association to network with members- but you do need to join to access their membership directory, scholarships, job clubs and mentoring programs and gain discounts to their events. When you go to the meetings, you'll be able to determine if this is the right association given your career goals and the benefits they offer.
Ask if they have a mentoring program if you have decided to become a member- ask if they can assign you a mentor to help groom you for advancement and hopefully refer you into positions locally.
Ask if you can volunteer to serve on the Board of Directors for leadership advancement, and to grow your network organically with fellow members through working alongside members on various projects; these activities help demonstrate your leadership skills if your current job does not allow you to take on leadership roles- a strategic way to redefine your brand.
Ask if they have a job club if you are unemployed and if they can defer your membership fee until you are employed. Ask to volunteer to work the job club so you are the first to see open positions and have a reason to be active with employers and helping fellow members. Ask if they conduct Internship Job Development to attract new student memberships? If not, maybe this is something you can volunteer to do to help the organization grow their student membership?
Ask for an electronic directory of members so you can reach out to each member who works for organizations you would like to work for and form a relationship with them, set up a 15-minute information meeting with each member of interest over the phone or in person or zoom to determine if this is the right career direction for you.
How to request a meeting using a Professional Association Directory
Once you find a new contact, someone who works in a career function you want to be in someday or works for an organization you’d like to work for in the future or learn more about, you are ready to reach out. It is recommended that you lead your outreach with an email, as phone calls from an unknown person can fall at bad times and promote awkwardness.