Whether you’re looking to make a difference in an industry or simply want to be a part of a mission-driven organization, career opportunities in the association space can satisfy that need. But if you’ve never heard of the industry – and trust us, there are plenty who haven’t – how do you get started and what jobs are out there?
As part of our association newcomer series, we’ve tackled the foundational topics for those new to the space. However, what about professionals looking to do it for the long haul? While you may have aspirations for the C-suite, there are plenty of other stops along the way that can create a powerful and enjoyable association career.
Like any organization, associations have various departments and categories with an association professional at the helm. That means there’ll likely be an opportunity based on your interest area. However, most roles and association career opportunities are based on organizational structure.
While your association’s mission and size can impact titles and responsibilities, most career opportunities fall into a few larger buckets.
Whether you’re a recent graduate/young professional exploring your career path or an established professional looking to see what’s next, there are many career opportunities to explore. Some of the most popular roles and job descriptions include:
While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does offer a glimpse into the variety of careers for an association professional. For those interested in exploring full job descriptions and open opportunities, we recommend:
With over 1.9 million associations in the U.S. alone, chances are an organization that works in an area you’re interested in will have a role that caters to your professional skills – that’s the good news. The challenge, however, is often finding the right opportunity for you. In our next post, we’ll discuss how to move up within your organization, with insights from association professionals who have done it already.
Also, Sidecar is here to help. Not only does membership gain you access to excellent training for association professionals, but with bootcamps, plenty of events and a thriving community, you’ll have an opportunity to grow as a leader no matter where you are in your career path.
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Jose Triana joined the Sidecar team as the Content Manager in 2021. He is a writer and creative focused on helping purpose-driven organizations learn and find value online. When he isn't working on content, you can catch him going for a run or resting with a good book.
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