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5 Ways a Professional Organization Can Advance Your Career

Workgroup meetingBy Tiffany Young
Online Career Tips Contributor

Getting ahead professionally takes more than just knowing how to do the job or having advanced degrees. The advancement of your career is solely your responsibility and shouldn’t just be a focus when searching for a new job. For help, try turning to professional organization for your career needs.

There is benefit to joining a professional organization– it’s an investment that can be one of the biggest career moves you’ll ever make.

Here are some benefits to joining a professional organization:

  • Access to Job Banks
    Many professional organizations have employers who are corporate members and post job openings to a secured member-only job bank. You’ll get direct access to the job you’re looking for and most likely some additional information on what the company is looking for in the right candidate.
  • Gaining a Mentor
    Mentoring is the cornerstone of many professional organizations. Professional organizations have the ability to pair you with someone much more experienced in your career field.
    [Related: Mentoring Is a Path to Career Advancement]
  • Professional Development Workshops
    Many organizations offer professional development via courses, workshops, publications, and information on their website shared only with members. They also keep members up to date on industry trends and how to deal with them. Some organizations offer an annual conference—which is an excellent opportunity to gain experience.
  • Networking Opportunities
    Networking events offer opportunities for you to mix and mingle with others in your field in both professional and leisure settings. There is also often a job fair where you can make contacts and stay up to date with people who hire – even if they’re not hiring right now. They may keep an eye on you until they are ready to finally offer you a job.
  • Scholarships and Grants
    For recent undergraduates who are looking for financial assistance in pursuing an advanced degree, scholarships or grants are often available to members.

Since there are thousands of professional organizations available, a directory would be your best option for research. Job-Hunt.org is a good source that offers a listing of more than 1,500 groups and associations organized by industry.

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