Karel McIntosh, Contributor

If there was ever a career bible, one of the first chapters would be devoted to professional associations. In many industries, the professional association is a group that lends credibility to the profession, creates standards that members abide by, and ensures that due recognition is brought to the field. Members often benefit from its effectiveness as a career development tool.

Benefits of joining an association

There are no disadvantages to joining a valuable, professional association. Proven to help you grow in your personal and professional lives, associations offer a slew of benefits - networking, knowledge resources, credibility, and a key to the industry grapevine. Additionally, as associations' memberships grow, so does your social circle.

Your relationships with peers provide you with a soundboard for ideas, current issues, and developments in your industry. You will also meet people who are at various levels of their career. So, if you're now starting out in the field, you benefit from the wisdom and experience of others, and if you are at the top of the corporate ladder - but want to stay connected to the experiences of younger persons in the field - you also have a think tank at hand.

Business intelligence

Business owners can find great opportunities in professional associations. People become aware of your company, and you also learn about other businesses. More than that, entrepreneurs can volunteer to assist with various projects and join committees. Invariably, positive karma will come back to you, because people will remember the good work you did, and awareness of you and your business will increase.

Additionally, as you are part of the industry network, you will be privy to industry news and the industry grapevine.

Excuses for not joining

The benefits you gain from your membership depend on the sort of value your association provides. This ultimately depends on its leadership, member support and the structures that are implemented to ensure member satisfaction.

Sometimes people resist joining associations because of the time they may need to invest in networking and attending events, registration costs, and not knowing how to balance association activities with other responsibilities.

If cost is a major factor for you, several associations offer corporate packages. You can enquire about these with your manager to see whether you are eligible, so that the company will pay fees. While some membership fees may seem costly, you should also consider the costs they incur in ensuring that the organisation is efficiently run, and able to meet members' needs. Often, you will find the fee well worth the cost for a great association.

Maximise your benefits

To maximise your professional association membership:

Maintain contact with peers.

Know the key players in theassociation.

Join committees.

Read and apply information gleaned from newsletters and industry literature.

Find out more about hot topics and issues to be current.

Have a strategy for mingling at events; if you are shy and need moral support to socialise, carry a colleague with you.

Professional memberships will always keep you up to date with your industry, and thus the tools to develop your career. Whether you are in a job where you are fulfilled, you are looking for a new opportunity, or you are an entrepreneur, a professional association gives you the network and information to guide you.

The author is a Trinidad-based public relations and communications professional. She publishes the blog http://www.caribbbeanprblog.com. You can contact her at caribbeanprblog@yahoo.com.