Are Your Clubs Your Handicap?
10/09/01

Your clubs may be handicapping your golf game but here's a club that's purely beneficial, designed to give you a competitive edge in the workplace, not necessarily on the golf course.

Clubs founded to unite workers who collectively strive for life-long learning experiences and social interaction are most commonly referred to as professional associations. These associations communicate industry news, trends and economic forecasts while offering leadership and career enhancement opportunities.

Whether you're a recent graduate interviewing for the first time or an established professional seeking fresh challenges, this material is offered as a guide to association benefits and member services. Joining a nationally recognized club is a smart career move and who knows, it may even help your golf game!

Membership
Belonging to a nationally recognized group will add credibility to your name in the business world and it's an impressive addition to your resume or business portfolio.

As a new member you are likely to receive guide booklets, membership benefits, association guidelines, and a variety of discounts. New members may also receive an official membership identification card, a framed certificate of membership, and a professional name designation to display.

Career Enhancement
Membership often includes these career development tools and services:

  • Networking
    Get proven career tips from seasoned professionals.
    Gain a competitive edge with job leads from within the industry.
    Join an ideal environment to cultivate professional references.
  • Job Search
    Short and long term career counseling.
    Search major employment databases.
    Evaluate your job search strategy.
    Resume writing and interview technique workshops.
  • Special Events
    Attend regional and national conventions and seminars.
    Join local chapter groups.
    Enjoy discounted group rates at professional sports and entertainment venues.

Communications
Realizing the power of the Internet to inform and connect a community of professionals with similar interests, communication efforts include:

  • Member directory listing each member's name, email address, phone and fax number.
  • Online and print newsletters and trade magazine subscriptions.

Products and Services
Professional associations often team up with outside companies to offer discounts on products and services. Money saving deals vary among trade associations and so be sure to read your membership benefits guidebook thoroughly. You can look forward to standard membership discounts on:

  • Career development books, software, and video/audio tapes.
  • Travel agency services and car rentals.
  • Discounted long distance telephone service and conference call services.
  • Discounted rates on life, health, home, and automobile insurance.
  • Preferred accounts with major credit card companies.

Allied
Upon completion of many Allied courses, students receive a one-year membership, at no additional cost, to a nationally recognized association within their field of study. The following list is a compilation of participating professional associations, each listed with the corresponding Allied course.

American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB)
www.aipb.org
Computerized Financial Accounting Course
Fundamentals of Bookkeeping Course

Housing Inspection Foundation (HIF)
http://iami.org/hif.cfm
Home Inspection Course

International Real Estate Institute (IREI)
http://www.iami.org/irei.cfm
Professional Property Management Course

Association of Construction Inspectors (ACI)
http://iami.org/aci.cfm
Contractor Licensing Course

National Association of Real Estate Appraisers (NAREA)
http://iami.org/narea.cfm
Real Estate Appraisal Course
(California, Connecticut, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming)

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