Kyle Bernstein

Many articles in professional magazines state that a large number of very successful women who own or run Fortune 500 companies don’t do any networking. Lots of CEOs of corporations have never gone to college, don’t read up on the industry, have no idea what the competition is up to and feel very secure in their jobs. All of that, if it really is true, is great for them. For those of us who live in the real world, just keeping our heads above water career-wise is a fulltime job. The truth is, after four (or more) years of college and extensive internships, summer jobs, and sparkling recommendations, many women feel fortunate to even find a job in their chosen field. Once you get that coveted job, or, more likely, that low-paying, entry-level job, you’re expected to quickly learn the ins and outs not only of your particular firm, but of your industry as a whole. The learning process can be enlightening and invigorating, but at the same time, you’re there to do a job and the company’s not paying you to learn. A little help would be nice. Perhaps you’d like a tour guide to show you what’s in store for you. Joining an organization full of professionals in your area of expertise can speed up your learning process. Professional associations offer seminars, classes, and possibly the opportunity to find a mentor who has been where you are and can help you navigate your path to where you want to go. The events these groups host are specific to the careers the association encompasses and can help you broaden your understanding of the business.

Maybe you love your job and want to have access to up-to-date information, forecasts for where your industry is headed, or just the chance to talk to other people who speak your language. Professional associations can become like a second family, which can foster friendships, spur volunteer opportunities, and expand your support network. When you’re ready to share your experience and teach or become a mentor, industry groups can steer you toward that as well.

Say you’ve been working in the biz for a while and you’re planning your next move. Networking and professional associations are a great place to find out what you’re worth, what your next move might be, and who’s hiring. Chances are there are people in your business who have jobs that you didn’t even know existed. Wouldn’t it be great to meet the people that have those jobs and ask them how to get one? An association in your field is full of a variety of people from those who want to check out the industry to see if it’s right for them to seasoned veterans who know all of the players and could make important introductions.

To find a legitimate group in your profession, the best thing to do is ask. Find out what organizations your boss or other managers in your agency belong to. Many companies, especially in the hospitality industry, make it a point of involving all employees in several organizations. Your supervisor will appreciate your effort to get more involved and joining the same group could ensure more face time with the higher-ups. There could be several groups for the same field, so ask around. You may feel comfortable joining a group in which you already know a few members or (if you’re looking for a new job) you might appreciate some anonymity. Do a little research online. Many companies list their affiliations on their websites. Most professional organizations now have websites you can peruse, with a link to get more information. Ask if you can survey a meeting to find out what their focus is and to get an idea of their format. Most organizations require an annual fee. Find out what that fees gets you. There are operational costs, which membership covers, but something like a directory of all members or job placement benefits can be worth the cost to join. Find out if there is a student rate if you’re in school. Some organizations have meetings at which the entire membership is in attendance. There may be a charge for these get-togethers, especially if food and beverages are being served. These types of functions have great networking capabilities, but remember that if someone is a superstar in the business, you may not be the only one trying to get their attention. Many professional associations are program-driven. “Programs” are events put on by members in which an expert is brought in to do a demonstration or speak on a pre-determined subject specific to the membership. There is likely a fee involved that corresponds with the logistics of the event. Members are sometimes able to volunteer their time to set-up or work at an event in lieu of the program fee. It’s important to find out what is expected of you before you sign on as some membership fees are non-refundable. Look realistically at you schedule to make sure the meetings are generally at times you will be able to attend. To ensure continuity, such groups often ask that all members meet certain criteria such as working full-time in said industry, and demand some sort of minimum participation like 2 meetings and 2 programs per year. Many of professional associations also partner with charitable organizations, which allow members to contribute to or volunteer for that cause on their behalf. Membership years vary depending on the industry. Accounting associations will not have programs during tax season and educational groups may take the summer off.

In a membership year, you should understand how the organization works, have met a couple of people to sit with at events, and look forward to attending functions or meetings. If you join a group and you’re not benefitting from it, find another one. It is common for one industry to have several worthwhile professional organizations. You want to belong to the one that you feel a part of. Once you find that group, you will find that your participation will increase, you’ll meet more people, and become known in your own right.