Professional associations

Becoming a member of a professional association is proactive, smart and fun. It’s a great way to meet new people and develop your network, at the same time as developing industry skills and knowledge.

About:

Professional associations have many purposes and functions which you can read about on the Graduate Opportunities website.

For the purpose of networking, students are eligible to join most associations as a student member, and take part in activities:

• conferences
• networking evenings
• workshops
• advice about pay and conditions
• publishing in newsletters or journals
• access to social media groups such as LinkedIn

How to sign up:

As a student, you may be apprehensive about what being a member involves. The first step to overcome this obstacle is to browse listings of professional associations to find one of interest. The second step is to contact them directly to have a chat about the benefits of being a member. If you feel comfortable after having a chat, you can then go ahead and sign up.

Becoming a member may help you to:

• meet people in your industry
• access job vacancies that would otherwise be hidden
• show an employer that you are serious about your chosen career or area of study
• keep up with developments and new technologies within the industry
• update your skills and knowledge, thereby enhancing your career prospects

Good luck and remember to contact your nearest Careers and Employment office for assistance

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