Why take up professional membership?
What is a professional membership?
What are the benefits of a professional membership?
How to make the most of your professional membership
What is a professional membership?
A professional membership is basically a subscription to a professional organisation.
Most professional sectors have at least one organisation that provides services to support professionals who
work in that sector. Some of these include:
- Australian Computer Society
- Australian Human Resources Institute
- Australian Institute of Management
- Australian Marketing Institute
- Engineers Australia
- Royal College of Nursing.
These professional organisations offer members activities and services that place a framework around quality standards, professional development and maintaining currency within their specific field. Generally they offer student membership at a reduced rate with access to an extensive range of services.
What are the benefits of a professional membership?
The benefits of a professional membership will vary from one organisation to another but typically include:
1. Credibility: professional organisations set minimum quality standards for membership, therefore communicating that you have a professional membership also indicates that you are accredited.
2. Professional development: access to specific events and training that provide opportunities for learning that is specific to your profession and helps keep your skills current.
3. Networking: events and activities that allow networking among professional colleagues to expand your knowledge and gain career-based information and awareness.
4. Newsletters: access to information communicated through newsletters, journals and the organisation’s website.
5. Forums: the opportunity to participate in two-way discussion with experienced people about professional issues, and to have your own thoughts heard and clarified. Discounts may also be given by associated organisations for attendance at their functions.
6. Services: a range of different services may also be offered, such as professional indemnity and public liability. Also, additional benefits such as buyers’ discounts on professional references, travel, accommodation, etc. may be available.
How to make the most of your professional membership
The fact that you have sought out and subscribed to your own professional organisation adds value to your resume as it is an indication of your level of involvement as a professional. However, the idea is not to just join but to actively participate and to take advantage of the services offered.
Take advantage of networking to understand career opportunities and organisational structures. Present yourself professionally and positively to people who may be potential employers. Commence a process of networking that you will continue to maintain throughout your career in order to realise your goals. Remain connected to your profession and view yourself as a professional.
Gather information — be relevant in your profession by committing to continuous learning, and remaining updated with the most recent knowledge, research and career opinions. Contribute to forums, and present and discuss your own ideas, thoughts and findings.
Many professional organisations offer a mentoring service to students. At all levels of your career it is a positive move to have a mentor with whom you can readily discuss matters concerning your professional life. Identify a member of the professional organisation who you can model yourself on — a person who has made a significant contribution in his/her career, and who has achieved success in a manner that matches your values and beliefs.
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Christine Prendergast is the Marketing Manager at Monash University Gippsland campus, where she applies her career development knowledge to assist with the recruitment of students into courses that best fit their ambitions. She has previously worked extensively in the corporate sector with retail clients and in managing outplacement projects. She has broad industry experience, which is of great value in her work as a career development practitioner. |