The Value of Professional Associations

The Value of Professional Associations

I recently have had the privilege of offering my talents to the Project Management Institute’s New Jersey (PMI-NJ) chapter career fair for the 10th time. Several years ago, PMI-NJ realized that their members often worked “contract” type assignments. With such assignments, their members might have work for a matter of months or even a couple of years, but then were back in job search. Additionally, given the wide variety of professions their members applied their skills, the needs of one PMI member might be significantly different from another. What started as an annual event, soon became a twice a year event, and has a format which brings in professionals heavily involved in job search strategy to speak to the members. In addition, recruiters at companies needing their service are also part of the program.

PMI-NJ is just one of thousands of examples of professional associations that are available throughout the world. I myself am a member of the professional association for coaches, known as the International Coaching Federation. I have been a member ever since I was certified as a coach. When I was going through my training for my coaching certification, the school that trained us encouraged us to join our professional association. As they explained, the nature of the work we did often had us working by ourselves with our clients. It was often necessary to “recharge our batteries,” to connect with like-minded professionals that shared our values and understood the demands of the profession. By being a part of the association, we would have “a network of professionals,” on whom to call when we wanted to discuss challenges and issues, or share experiences with others to see if they were going through similar things with their clients or in their businesses.

When I work with my clients, I often ask them how involved they are with their professional associations. Many will say they are a member of the association, but are not actively involved with their local chapter. I encourage them to change that fact, especially during job search. What are the benefits that a professional association chapter may provide for their members?

One immediate benefit is “Continuing Education Credits,” within the professional discipline. Those often come through seminars, webinars or programs that the chapter may run. The chapter may have a job board “exclusively focused” on the profession. Chapters may offer such benefits to their members as discounted rates on professional insurance for that profession. There may be also discounts at complimentary businesses that may help to support the professional’s business. Often professional associations are the source of having trade journals or magazines about the profession. Most of all, it is an outstanding place to meet other people in the profession who may know of opportunities at their company. That comes in handy, not only when one is actually in job search, but may sometimes lead to an opportunity even when someone is already employed. I have often asked the question to someone currently in search, how did you land previous job positions you have had? The answer I get is a networking contact that I knew was often involved.

One great way to be involved with your professional association is to either serve as an officer in the local chapter, or volunteer to assist in the putting on of an event that the association may have. Alluding to the Career Fair I spoke of above, the PMI-NJ chapter has a dedicated group of members who volunteer to put that on. Whether it is enrolling participants to when it was in person, to those who now that it has been virtual the last couple of times, offer their skills to help support the Zoom technology for the event, other professionals in the chapter both get to know you, but also to see your competence as a professional.

So my message to you is simple. If there is a professional association for the discipline of which you are a part, and you are not a part of it, consider joining it. If you are a member, and not active, minimally attend the meetings. Then consider getting involved in some of the events that they may hold. And, if you are not sure if there is a professional associations for your profession, both research if there are, or ask others who share your profession to see if they know of one to join. And, if you really are adventurous enough, perhaps consider starting a local professional association chapter of your own. After all, what do you have to lose?