picture. Like any other endeavor, you will get out of it what you put into it. Attending meetings and events, offering to help and becoming involved will go a long way towards making the experience a truly valuable one.

 

Professional Development

 

“Every job I ever got in the field was, either directly or indirectly, through my

membership in FPRA,” says Kate B. Holcomb, APR, public relations director for Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach . While professional organizations may help you to land a great job in your field, they offer more than that. As your career progresses, many organizations offer conferences and professional certifications that can help you to hone your skills and take your career to the next level. Many provide print publications to its members to share new products and innovative advances.

 

The contacts and the friendships made through these professional affiliations can last for years. These are people who share your interests, understand your industry and recognize the value of building lasting relationships. Whether seeking employment, looking to move up in the business, relocating, transitioning to a new career, finding educational opportunities or just looking for advice, the right organization can provide all of these and more.

 

Where to Find the Group for You:

•  Chambers of Commerce

•  Local newspaper

•  Civic organizations

•  Colleges

•  Churches

•  Alumni Associations

•  Career Advisors

•  The Internet

 

Jill Meridith is a member of the Florida Public Relations Association. She has worked extensively in higher education and career counseling, has a bachelor's degree in Communication and is a free-lance writer.

 

 

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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