It's important to look for career specific clubs and organizations that will help you grow. Trade associations are one of the best ways to meet others in your field. Joining a trade association is an investment in yourself and your career. Some are free and some require an annual fee, so its important to pick one that suits your career goals.
Trade Associations give you the opportunity to be seen by people in the industry as an expert, they help build your leadership skills, provide opportunities to connect with industry professionals, gives you exclusive access to industry insights, learn about trends and most importantly network. In many cases, you get access to executives and hiring authorities from other companies that are outside of your circle, or your LinkedIn network. Trade associations provide multiple outlets for members to participate with others while building your career.
Of course picking the right organization is important. You want to pick one that has a good size membership with regular meet-ups where you can learn while engaging socially with professionals. You also want one that pushes out new information on a schedule - like a newsletter or email blast - and a website that updates its content regularly. If you are in a profession that requires a license or certification, picking an organization that offers seminars or points towards maintaining any certifications is a bonus.
Here's a Tip: Pick an organization that has events and seminars that benefit the company. You can also pick an organization that executives from your company belong too already. If the organization has a good reputation you have less explaining to do to get the expense approved. Often companies already have a budget for professional development which includes memberships. They will pay for employee's memberships if they can see the employee is getting insights or training that aligns with company goals.
Building your network outside the company you work for is important to your career development. Outside resources, are objective and because they have a different point of view can provide solutions you may not have considered. Outside resources have experiences that you don't and ideas you haven't contemplated. Outside resources can verify that you are an expert in your field.
By utilizing these resources, you build your confidence, you have a network to pull from for advice and expertise, you learn what you need to know in order to get your chance to sit at the table.
Share your thoughts with me directly or in the comments.