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The KEY to Expanding Your Network: Professional Associations Brittany Chu USC Career Center. Why Are You Here Today? What programs are people in? Why I chose this topic Define: P rofessional associations What do YOU get out of joining them? Define: Networking.
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The KEY to Expanding Your Network: Professional Associations Brittany Chu USC Career Center
Why Are You Here Today? • What programs are people in? • Why I chose this topic • Define: Professional associations • What do YOUget out of joining them? • Define: Networking
Learning Outcomes • By the end of this presentation you will have: • Explored various professional associations online • Thoughtfully considered the organizations you would like to join • Looked into potential conferences you can attend • Learned how to network effectively • Practiced exchanging business cards • Learned how to maintain contacts after events
Research Professional Associations • Mission statement • Values • Beliefs • Quality check: • Research (ie: journal articles published regularly) • Current Events • Current Members • Membership Fees + Subscriptions + Benefits • Future Goals
Navigating the Career Center Website http://careers.usc.edu/
Investigate Their Impact on the Field • Walk through various websites: • IEEE (Electrical Engineering) • PRSA.org (Public Relations) • FGI.org (Fashion Group International) • NASPA.org(Higher Education & Student Affairs) • Gwen Dungy tribute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkhmRAjiqJs&feature=related • 2011 Annual Conferencein Philadelphia, PA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h37NLuD4wB0 • What industry are YOU interested in?
2. Join Professional Associations • The ones that resonate with you the most! • After becoming a member, sign up for: • Updates • Blogs • Newsletters • Membership Benefits • Keep current & up-to-date on the latest trends and movements in field! This will keep you ahead of the curve!
3. Seek Out Professional Development Activities • Local, regional, & national conferences • Round-table discussions • Mixers • Socials • Workshops • Webinars • Panels
4. Network With Professionals • That are in your field of interest • Laterally (ACROSS with peers/colleagues) • Vertically (UP with senior level practitioners) • Vista Print: Print 250 FREE business cards! • Create a LinkedIN account! • *NASPA Placement Exchange in Arizona 2012 • http://www.theplacementexchange.org/event/ • *Social Media Revolution: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SuNx0UrnEo
5. Exchange Business Cards (Activity) • Before: • Prepare what you would like to say • Remain calm, cool, and collected heading in- SMILE! • During: • Shake their hand and introduce yourself • Find commonalities and similar points of interest • Remember to stay confident, relaxed, & comfortable • After: • Write down context of conversation on back of each card • E-mail employers immediately when it’s fresh in your mind
6. Maintain Contacts After Events • Keep in touch with those met at professional development events through E-mail • Stay in constant communication; Check-in • Great for future references! • Referrals, Letters of Recommendation • Resource: Connect you to others in their field
My Personal Journey • PAST: • UC San Diego: Undergrad • Visited Career Center SophYr • Counsel from Career Advisor changed my life! • NASPA, CISAC, & SLI in Seattle, Washington • Applied to Graduate School for Masters Programs • PRESENT: • USC 2ND Year of Grad school: M.Ed PASA Program • Philly, PA. Graduate Intern here- Full circle!
Concluding Remarks • You are now equipped with the resources to: • Network comfortably & confidently! • Join professional associations that speak to you • Tap into your strengths & talents • You now have the SECRET to establishing, maintaining, strengthening, and expanding your network! So go out and do it! And share what you’ve learned today with others!