Networking by Association: 6 Reasons to Join a Local Industry Group

Employee Spotlight Profile
 

Debi Williams, Director of Digital Content Services, Gardner Business Media

Whenever asked, I share one piece of go-to advice for those starting out their careers. I encourage them to join a local industry association (yes, a local group that meets in person). Membership in a professional association shaped my early career, giving me the experience and connections I needed to grow and ultimately end up where I am today.

AMA Cincinnati hosts a monthly Coffee & Conversation to get to know local marketers.

There’s no denying the rules of networking have changed, especially in a post-pandemic world. Our LinkedIn feeds connect us with leaders and influencers in our communities. Email newsletters keep us up to date with the latest industry news. There are plenty of free webinars to offer ongoing education.

So why then, during this age of virtual communication, should anyone step out of their comfort zone to join a local industry group?

6 Reasons to Join a Local Industry Association

1. Professional Networking: Think about your three closest friends, do they work in your same industry? Mine don’t. In fact, they are a teacher, a real estate agent, and a finance manager. None of my close friends experience the same day to day challenges as I do in the workplace. Through my professional association, I’m able to express challenges, seek advice, and share wins with others on a similar career path.
2. Jobs! You may not be looking for a job now, but you never know when you will be – or when your dream job may suddenly open. The connections I made through a professional association became my network, referring me to open positions as soon as they became available and personally recommending me to potential employers. These same connections can be valuable when trying to fill openings within your current organization.
3. Resume Diversity: Early in your career, you might be looking to add experience to your resume. I worked at the same company for 9 years right out of college, had it not been for my professional association, my resume might have lacked diversity. To give depth to my resume, I highlighted the many volunteer positions I had held on a Board of Directors – listing beneath each position my key accomplishments of that year.
4. Experience: Maybe you have your sights set on a management position, but you’ve never managed employees. Through a professional association, you can have the opportunity to manage a committee, or even an entire board. Or maybe you have your sights set on an entirely new role at work. Volunteer opportunities can expand your skillset in communications, sales, event planning, accounting, research and more.
5. Recognition: Everyone likes a gold star next to their name. Most professional associations offer some sort of annual award program, such as a Rising Star or Emerging Leader Award, or a competition for excellent professional work. These awards can validate your awesomeness and help you stand out from the pack.
6. Transitional: Many young professionals find their first job in their college town, and later return to their hometown or move to a bigger city. Most professional associations have a national footprint expanding your network across the country. When I recently moved to a new city, I knew I could carry on my membership and immediately begin to build my new professional network.

Hosting the local Advertising Awards while serving as President of the American Advertising Federation Lexington.

While the internet may give you the name and inbox for local business heads, a professional association will give you the experience and personal connection you ultimately need to land your next job. But remember, much like a gym membership, paying the membership fee isn’t enough. You have to put in the time and the work to get the most out of it. So take the leap, find your local industry association, join, and get involved – you’ll thank yourself later.

Manufacturing Associations

Since this is Gardner Business Media, I’m inclined to share a few association recommendations for the manufacturing reader. I encourage you to find the local chapter of any one of these great organizations:

• The Association for Manufacturing Technology
• Women in Manufacturing
• Precision Machined Products Association
• Women in 3D Printing
• PLASTICS Industry Association/Future Leaders in Plastics (FLIP)
• American Marketing Association (While not exactly a manufacturing association, I’ve met many talented manufacturing marketers through AMA)

Need more information?
Debi Williams, Director of Digital Content Services  
Gardner Business Media, Inc.
LinkedIn

 

About the Author

Debi Williams

Debi Williams is the Director of Digital Content Services at Gardner Business Media. She works with customers across all of Gardner’s Media brands to drive engagement and generate product awareness through custom content and demand generation programs. Throughout her career she’s been active in the American Advertising Federation and American Marketing Association.

She is married with two beautiful chil . . . shoot, we’re running late for basketball practice!