Question

Professional organizations that are specific to career areas are a common way that professionals stay in touch with current issues in their field. For instance, the Business and Professional Women (BPW) is a common group in many cities. They offer workshops, conferences, and meetings that provide opportunities for training, skill building, and networking. International Association of Fire Fighters is another example and have similar groups and offerings for their professionals.

Research to find one professional association, either locally or nationally, that you feel will provide you with opportunities for professional development and staying current in your area. What is included in the membership? Discuss what the association provides and how it will be a help to you in your professional life to maintain your career marketability in the future.

Answer 1

One profession association that promises to bring in a lot of opportunities according to my interest is “Association for Volunteer Adminstration”. The non profit organization was established in 1961 and was for those who wish to work as volunteers and contribute to a cause. It is infact the largest professional organization that manages the volunteers and the volunteering work. The aim of the organization is to pursue advance volunteerism and hence help people improve their life by bringing together leaders and volunteers into learning professional development, networking as well as scale up in terms of technological advancement. This organization is going to help me and provide with better professional opportunities as it can act as a booster to my career as social worker.

There are many things that the organization provides that can help in shaping up my career:-

Opening up to experiences – with the volunteering opportunities, it helps in connecting people to a number of experience. These experiences improve skills and hence make people better in terms of their work skill. Through volunteering we can also learn and know more about the problems faced by a lot of people and how to get to a solution.

Improve skills and leadership – By volunteering and working under expert leaders, there are events which help in improving one’s vision towards creating a better tomorrow. There are a lot of people who you can work and hence in turn can educate, strengthen and make an impact and be a change to the contribution.