Careers In Associations
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You can’t help but notice them. If you live in the greater Washington DC area, they are everywhere. Almost every block in DC has at least one. And in the Old Town area they are taking over. You see them in Arlington and in Bethesda. Tyson’s and Rockville. There even is the American Society of Association Executives and the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives; both located in DC... associations for association professionals! You see “the association of”, “the association for”, “society of” ... but what are these and who do they employ?

Studies show that the association profession is one of the top 4 employers in the greater DC area, behind tourism and the government. But for many individuals, unless you have lived in DC, New York or Chicago, don’t even know that working for an association is an option. I mean really, how many folks do you hear saying "I want to be an association professional when I grow up"?

Basically, associations represent a profession or cause of "like minded-people." Individuals join associations for education, professional development, getting the most up-to-date information, benefits, networking opportunities and/or sharing common problems and solutions with others.

Interesting point... most of us probably belong to one association, if not more. Maybe it's our professional affiliation, maybe it's because we believe in the mission of the organization. Or maybe it's because we receive benefits from membership that we might not be able to receive elsewhere. But how many of us think about what associations do, needless to say thinking about ever working for one.

Associations ARE and will continue to be a viable option for job seekers and career changers. Many of the senior executives in the association profession today were career changers; some perhaps involved in their association prior to become an employee. And for many individuals employed by associations, they have chosen associations because they wanted to feel like they were making a difference, either in society, their profession or in what is important to their own passion and value system.

And just like finding a job in any profession, finding a job in associations is no different. Looking to find a job in an association? Here are some suggestions: (and by the way, they do work... I did it myself!!)


  1. Network, network, network! Critical to finding an association job (and for that matter, any profession). Get out and meet folks that are working for an association. It doesn't matter in the beginning the type, location and what they do. Just get out and talk with folks. Find out what they do, how they got started (you won’t be the first to transition into associations). Also find out what associations they belong to, where they go for networking and meeting other association professionals. Be sure to get the names of one or two other people they have in their rolodex (or contact list) for you to talk with. Again, meet folks that are doing what you want to be doing.

  2. Do your homework aka... research. Find out everything you can about the association profession. Learn the language of the profession; learn about the various types of associations and what the profession has to offer. It is critical that you do this. Take the time. The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives (GWSAE) both have excellent research libraries open to the public. Learn everything you can about associations so that when you are out there talking with people, you know what they are talking about and that you are talking their language. It's not that difficult... make the time.

  3. Know your skills and what you have to offer an association. Why should they hire you? What are your marketable, transferable skills that make you the best candidate? Know how your skills (for those that might be career changers) translate to associations. Don’t expect the hiring people to do the translation... you do it! You show them that you do have the necessary skills and experience, despite the fact that you may not have worked for an association before.

  4. Consider an internship. If you are in college or a recent graduate, look at intern opportunities in the association profession. I know several individuals working for an association today that did this. Check with your college placement offices or contact some of the associations you might be interested in interning with. You never know where it might lead.

  5. Determine your passions. One of the great things about associations is that there is an association for everything and everyone. Put together a list of what you feel passionate about. What motivates you and what is important to you? Again research those associations and talk with folks in those associations. Your passion and enthusiasm will come thru and is a great asset to any organization…it also “outshines your competition” that might not be as enthusiastic.

  6. Join an association! It’s a great way to get to know folks that are doing what you want to be doing. If you are interested in marketing, join the Direct Marketing Association (local and/or national). If you feel passionate about health care, look at those organizations. Some associations offer a student, unemployed or "non-professional" membership. Get involved though... don’t just be a "check book member." Meet folks that are doing what you want to be doing.
Numerous resources are available to the job seeker. A brief list of some resources is listed below. This will get you started in researching a profession that I hope will be a prosperous, inspiring and worthwhile profession for you to be associated. Go for it...


Resources:
The American Society of Association Executives (www.asaenet.org)
The Greater Washington Society of Association Executives (www.gwsae.org)
The Center for Association Leadership (www.centeronline.org)
National Trade and Professional Associations of the US (NTPA directory)
Gales Encyclopedia of Associations
Association Trends…national weekly newspaper covering the association industry
USAE…weekly news of associations, CVBs and hotels
CEO Update…job postings of CEO and senior staff positions