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3.4: Connecting with Professional Associations

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    107758

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    View the YouTube Video titled “Career Cafe Students” to gain a student’s perspective of how professional associations can help with career research and networking.

    A screenshot of the "Career Cafe Students" video
    Figure 3.3 – Watch “Career Café Students” (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v97b_6PHLeo)

    Professional Associations are a great way for you to connect with professionals working in the industry you may be considering. These associations are organizations where people in the same profession come together engage and connect with each other to discuss current trends in the industry. The professional associations are a great way for you to make connections and network with professionals in the field you are considering. Most professional associations have membership fees and oftentimes have reduced fees for student membership. They usually host conferences. Check to see if the association you are interested in is hosting a conference nearby. Professional associations often list a job bank with current job openings in the industry. This is a great way for you to see what industry is demanding and what skills, qualifications, and training they are requiring. The more you know now, the better prepared you will be when it is time for you to enter the industry.

    Some great online resources to help you locate professional associations are:

    Activity 3.4  - Researching Professional Associations

    Consider your top occupational choice you are interested in at this time and search for professional associations linked to this industry.

    1. What is your top occupational choice at this time?
    2. Explore two Professional Associations linked to the industry.
    3. Give a brief description of the associations and how you think they may be helpful in your career exploration and development.
    • Find out what the fees are for signing up and if they provide any discounts for students.
    • Are there any upcoming conferences being sponsored by the association? If so, when, where, and how much is registration. Are you considering attending?

    This page titled 3.4: Connecting with Professional Associations is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Graciela Martinez and Elizabeth Shaker.