Professional Associations and You

Professional associations are very similar to trade associations in that they are usually member-supported organizations that represent those who work within a certain industry. The only difference is that professional associations tend to be more white collar than blue collar, including careers known as professional careers such as lawyers, doctors and other similar fields. It's usually an easy matter to join a professional association. You may have to show some sort of documentation to prove that you are a member in good standing of that profession and there will be membership dues to pay, often annually.

Dues can vary in amount so it would be a good idea to compare the benefits to the cost of any professional association. Obviously a large, nationwide organization with many networking opportunities would be worth a higher fee than a local organization with a limited scope. This doesn't mean that you can only join one professional group, though. Many people find it beneficial to have both the local contacts and the national network to tap into. Getting to know the movers and shakers within your field is always a recommended career strategy. It increases your network and gets your name known in the industry.

A free career evaluation from RDG Careers can help you map out your complete career strategy and set your goals for where you want to go with your career. They are a professional job search firm but they also have much to offer to those who are already employed or practicing their profession. The career advisors there can help you find the top professional associations and figure out the direction you want to go with your career. Just watch their Satisfied Client Testimonials to get an idea of what they can do for you.