3 Reasons to Join Professional Associations

Make-It Monday

3 Reasons to Join Professional Associations

Appreciation is a wonderful thing; it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well. -- Voltaire

         

This week we explore appreciation within and among higher education faculty and administration. As we do so, I encourage you to make a list of the professional organizations of which you are currently a member, as well as three you would like to join. On the list, make notations of the primary research foci of each group, in addition to conference event and submission dates. Using a calendar, plan which conferences you will attend, submit to, and when you will join at least one of the three new organizations you explored. 

According to Kelly Cherwin, Communication Director at HigherEd Jobs, the benefits to joining a professional association are three-fold: 

Professional Support

Through conferences, committees, events, and online chat forums members connect, share ideas, encourage “best practices,” discuss new developments in the field, highlight key influencers, and learn together. The research, publishing, and presenting opportunities the organizations supply, as well as chances to serve help build your portfolio. 

Career Growth

Many associations provide members with job boards and career services such as tips on resumes and cover letters. Training and certification classes often are offered online through the association websites. Listing your membership and professional activities on your resume improves your status as an active professional.

Get Smarter

As a member of a professional organization, you will have access to online publications and journals full of current resource information in your field. In addition, many times associations provide awards for those achieving excellence as scholars. 

So, to get you started, here are three higher education associations to consider:

American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), www.aaccnche.edu

 

Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), www.aacu.org

 

The Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network in Higher Education, www.podnetwork.org

 

Don’t stop there! Search for the associations that are specific to your discipline and to your region of the country. Find the best fits for you and join in!

Also, meet me here tomorrow for Tech and Tips Tuesday when we discuss professional online chat forums and other ways to share appreciation with fellow faculty and administrators online.

See you then, 

Melynda

@Melynda_Conner

#TCBHigherEd 

Reference:

Cherwin, K. A. (2012). Why join a professional association? Higher Ed Jobs. Retrieved from http://www.higheredjobs.com/articles/articledisplay.cfm?ID=157