What are they?
Professional Associations are organizations comprised of members who share the same occupations or related occupations. They meet to promote their profession, to learn and network for personal / career and organizational success.
Why join them?
- Meet people in your career interest field for networking purposes
- Learn information and keep abreast of the trends in your interest field Expand your classroom knowledge.
- As a student you’ll pay student member fees (usually $25 – $50 per year) and receive the full benefits as regular members.
Selected Professional Associations by Majors/Fields
Below are links to a number of professional associations. Take the time to find out more about them and consider a student or regular membership. It could be your best career move!
- National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
- National Society of Accountants
- American Accounting Association
- New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- American Art Therapy Association
- American Institute of Graphic Arts
- American Society of Artists
- Society of Illustrators
- American Dance Therapy Association
- American Institute of Biological Sciences
- American Society for Cell Biology
- Ecological Society of America
- American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Forensic Science
- Financial Management Association
- National Economic Association
- National Association of Business Economists
- National Education Association
- There are many associations of teachers by specialty area. Check association directories listed below.
- National Council of Teachers of English
- Public Relations Society of America
- Association for Women in Communications
- Society for Technical Communication Inc.
- American Bankers Association
- National Association of Credit Management
- CFA Institute (Chartered Financial Analyst)
- American Physical Therapy Association
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
- American Occupational Therapy Association
- American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
- American Public Health Association (APHA)
- National Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
- Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
- American Society for Training &Development
- Labor and Employment Relations Association
- Academy of Management
- American Marketing Association
- American Marketing Association (Philly Chapter)
- Sales and Marketing Services International
- Marketing Research Association
- American Medical Student Association
- American Medical Association
- American Dental Association
- American Student Dental Association
- American Physical Therapy Association
- American Academy of Physican Assistants
- American Veterinary Medicine Association
- American Psychological Association
- Association for Psychological Sciences
- National Rehabilitation Association
Additional Resources
- www.directoryofassociations.com
- The National Trade and Professional Association Directory (available at the Career Center)
- The Encyclopedia of Associations (available in most university or public libraries)
- The Occupational Outlook Handbook