The Benefits of Participating in Professional Organizations

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Professional organizations are groups specialized to your field of expertise.  They provide opportunities for learning, enrichment, networking, and mentorship.  What these organizations provide is vital for any professional, especially if they are a minority in their field.  I recently honored to be able to join WICT- Women in Cable Telecommunications.   This is an organization dedicated to developing women as leaders in life as well as in the field of cable telecommunications.  WICT is the oldest and largest organization-serving women in cable telecommunications, which includes all aspects of cable television- from marketing to sales to production to technology to human resources.  WICT serves all women working in every area of cable.

WICT is at the forefront of the television industry and works to advance the position and influence of women at a national and a local level.  WICT sponsors leadership programs and events to educate its members, some of which are men!  Recognized throughout the cable television industry, WICT works to collaborate with companies and challenge them to create opportunities for the advancement of women.  Established in 1979 WICT is known for its leadership training and empowerment as well as its advocacy. 

I was most impressed with the amount of programs they offered to help younger women in the field learn they skills they needed, not only to advance but to be an effective leader and member of the overall team once they did advance.  I am involved in the mentor program called, Mentoring Circles.  In this program a group from my local chapter meets monthly to discuss specific topics related to leadership and how we can adjust to different situations.  The discussions are in-depth and personal and kept confidential.  We are also given an accountability partner to ensure that we meet the goals that we set for ourselves and to talk with in between meetings and air professional concerns. 

So far I’ve found this organization to be well worth my time.  I can already see a benefit to not only joining but also being involved in such an organization.  As with anything you get out of it what you put in to it.  As you decide which professional organization is right for you and your career remember don’t simply join but try to take advantage of all the opportunities the organization has to offer.  It could be just the extra umph your career needs!