Success by Association
On October 1, the American Advertising Federation’s Houston chapter extended a great opportunity to recent graduates and the unemployed — one year membership in exchange for volunteer hours. To me, this is a win-win. The membership dues go instead to my COBRA premiums and student loans, and I get to work side-by-side with movers and shakers in the Houston ad industry. The AAF gets my labor, my gratitude, and my continued support later as a paying member.
I’ve also met some great people through the Houston Interactive Media Association and the Social Media Club Houston, the former at a conference and the latter at a book-signing. (Check out Shel Israel’s “Twitterville,” btw.)
Maybe I’m biased toward associations after working with Rice Alumni for three years. And as a freelancer, I worked with the Greater Houston Restaurant Association and the Houston Bar Association. But my personal experience with these groups was so rich, that I can’t help but think it’s in their nature to be awesome. My affiliation made me richer in the pocket and richer in acquaintances. I got job and client leads. Heck, I even met my boyfriend at a Rice Alumni event. (That alone was worth any membership fee, and Rice doesn’t even charge!)
So let me ask you: If you’re not active with your local professional association, why not? If you are, what are your stories?