By Marcia Powers
Contributor, Career Services
Memberships for professional organizations are often thought to be reserved for seasoned individuals already working in their field. But in fact, most professional organizations are open and encouraging to students and recent graduates who are looking to get a foot in the door and can act as an avenue for networking and employment opportunities. Here are a few advantages to joining a professional organization as a student or recent graduate.
Access to Job Postings: Many professional organizations support a job board for their members with relevant position postings.
Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships: Students, this should catch your attention. Some professional organizations offer scholarships, grants, and fellowships for active members.
Network, Network, Network: Take advantage of the opportunity to network with the professionals in your field, and consider attending or presenting at the organization’s annual conference.
Exposure to Resources: Students and recent graduates will often discover that many professional organizations maintain a database of publications and resources relevant to their field. This may include information on current industry trends, career resources, and scholarly publications.
Mentorship: Some professional organizations provide mentoring opportunities, where working professionals mentor students and recent graduates to broaden their appreciation and understanding of their field as well as to discuss potential opportunities.
One of the best career moves you can make is to confirm early on whether or not your target career is the right path for you. A professional organization can provide insights into the professional sphere of your degree, rather than the theory you’ve been studying, and should help confirm your commitment to your career path.
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