Do You Know How Important Professional Associations Are?
I'm going to cut to the chase. I cannot place enough emphasis on the value that can be attained personally and professionally from engaging with professional industry or university associations. Being active in the industry as a student demonstrates passion, dedication and interest, which will take you far in my opinion. What do I mean by being active, I hear you ask? It means either going to events, site visits and the like organized by said associations, and/or volunteering to be part of the committee which makes it happen. It's an easy and accessible way of meeting people in industry and learning more about the field. If you are seeking employment, this is what you need to be doing.
I recommend finding an association that aligns with your values and objectives, and target those few communities where you'd like to raise your profile and build relationships. If you're extra keen, then look for avenues to make a contribution. The pay-off of being curious and well-connected is big. I also strongly recommend attending careers fairs and industry nights where multiple companies are in attendance. Make sure you go to as many as you can, not just ones held at the university you're enrolled in. They're like a melting pot of opportunity! I can attest to that, as I got an employment opportunity from an industry night.
This has been one of the most important things I have done during my career, in building my personal brand, my network, attracting employment opportunities, but most importantly, meeting students and graduates so I can give back. Would I have been able to achieve the same career trajectory without it? Possibly, but it would have been less of a rewarding journey to get to where I am today. Not everything has to be strategic, it can also be done for enjoyment.
Plus, if you're on a committee, or have organized events to some extent, in my opinion it puts you a cut above the rest in a competitive market. You have demonstrated dedicated, ability to work in a team and project manage to some degree. Co-ordinating events is no simple feat, so it's definitely a commendable venture. This is great content to bring up in an interview, to leverage off if you have no experience. The best thing is, you can do it right now, for free!
During university, I was first briefly involved with the CSA at University of Melbourne and the Young Builders Alliance as part of the AIB. I also quickly realized that females were a minority in the industry, and wanted to see how I can be part of changing that landscape, so I got heavily involved with NAWIC for around three years. Personally, this industry involvement exponentially grew my confidence, my drive, all-round communication skills and simply interest in the industry. Professionally, other than employment opportunities, I started building my network and met some exemplary industry people to have formative and insightful conversations with that I wouldn't have purely via my day job or student experience.
Note that building your industry presence and recognition takes time, if you wish to do it. Relationship building takes time. Going to one event and expecting an employment opportunity to arise is a short-term outlook. You need to be in it for the long haul.
There are many associations out there, both affiliated with a university and otherwise. A great starting point for industry associations for students is NOVUS. If you are a young female in construction, check out WIDAC or NAWIC, and Women of ABP if you're Melbourne University alumni. Get in touch with me if you're looking for more recommendations. I won't list them all, each serve a different purpose.
My blog post next week will be on networking - because it can be very daunting at first!
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