The Road Less Travelled?
My father-in-law recently asked my husband, a fellow association professional, why he doesn't work for the government. After all, he said, my husband never WANTED to work for an association, and government employment provides great benefits, longevity, consistent tasks, and an almost hilarious inability to get fired.
But really, is "you never wanted to work for a non-profit" a reason not to do it? How many of us can actually say that we dressed our dolls or toy soldiers as Membership Managers or Conference Planners or Newsletter Editors? I didn't - I wanted to be a Veterinarian-Who-Is-Also-A-Teacher-And-An-Olympic-Gymnast.
Alas, that position does not exist at this point in time, so association work it is. I started in it part-time in college and have never looked back, and in fact I know that this is what I will do until I retire. I even get super involved with ASAE and with my homeowners' association, as if I just can't get enough of association work from nine-to-five.
In many ways, though, an association professional is EXACTLY what most of us wanted to be. Didn't you seek to do something with tangible goals you could see through to the end? Isn't being over-the-top busy better than twiddling your thumbs? Though it can be a challenge to interact with frustrated members, isn't there something intrinsically satisfying about helping a member personally and professionally? And I can't be the only one who loves the benefits - despite the vast differences in their memberships, scope, and size, each association I have worked for has truly provided for me and cared about me as an individual rather than as Employee #328.
How about you? How did you end up in the association world - and is it satisfying to you? Regardless of if this was your original career choice or "what you wanted to be when you grew up", what would you say to someone who wonders why you do what you do?
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Comments
I came out of college the typical liberal arts major (in my case English lit). The world was full of menial jobs for people like me and my very first job was with an association as their receptionist. Fortunately, a position opened up in their publications department and the background gave me that opening. It ended up an ideal fit, and over time I became the Director of Publications. What I like about association work (at least in a small to medium sized one like mine) is that you rarely spend all day doing the same thing. Association work tends to provide a variety of activities, tasks, and challenges to keep boredom at bay. They also are often better than the average company in terms of employee benefits (retirement, health insurance, etc.), collegial and pleasant work environments, and close enough to rapidly changing technology curve.
Posted by: Karen | March 9, 2011 11:54 AM
I got my first association job like so many others; by accident. I was working as a temp at an association, stuffing envelopes, and got the opportunity at a marketing assistant job. Within months, I was traveling to trade shows in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Paris. My friends would ask me "Wait, don't you stuff envelopes?"
I worked in associations for ten years and found the work satisfying for three reasons: 1) I got to learn about fascinating industries that were represented by my associations (who knew there were so many different machines involved in the canning of beans?); 2) working in small associations, I got to do all types of work (e.g., meeting planning, marketing, membership, committee management); and 3) the mission of the organizations I worked for were personally appealing which made me feel like the work was "honorable."
For the past 11 years I've served associations as a consultant and have been able to put all of my experience to great use for my clients. I'm still fascinated by what associations do and how there really is an association for everyone/thing.
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Wes Trochlil
Effective Database Management, LLC
Author of "Put Your Data to Work: 52 Tips and Techniques for Effectively Managing Your Database," published by ASAE and available here: http://tinyurl.com/dyw9y2
Posted by: Wes Trochlil | March 9, 2011 12:02 PM
A political science major with visions of greatness, it took me a while to realize that working IN government isn't as fun as 'influencing' government. But with a 'servant leader' mentality, I have now combined my passion for democracy (advocacy) with serving others - all without actually being IN government. Presto! Association Management! My only regret is not finding out about non-profit/association work earlier.
Posted by: Scott Meske, CAE | March 9, 2011 1:14 PM
I've always been involved in organizations. I sat on boards starting before I was twenty years old. My first association job - after working for a city alderman - was as CEO of a public interest group. I later switched to associations because they paid better and were more customer-focused.
I think of everything in terms of organization and politics. Although I had no idea what an association was when growing up, it's been a natural fit.
Posted by: David M. Patt, CAE | March 9, 2011 5:03 PM
I did work in state government - for one of those legislators who truly embodies public service and makes idealistic poli-sci majors forget about public service pay and cramped offfices. While I miss the statehouse, I don't miss jumping through hoops with government agencies. Working in association GR has allowed me to use my passion for problem solving and constituent service to enable our members to impact their communities...without the red tape.
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 9, 2011 5:21 PM
I ended up in the association world, like man, by accident. My first job out of college was working on a grueling state electoral campaign. The biggest lessons I learned from that job were (1) I don't want to work directly in politics or government and (2) I like managing multiple constituent relationships. My next job was at a local business development association, which seemed to encompass my interest in government and politics, while not being directly in the "line of fire". And talk about multiple relationships... Association work is relationship management in hyper-drive!
As a kid, I wanted to be a leader when I grew up. Now, I can say that I take a leadership role every day. The chance to lead and support a large community of individuals who share common goals and values is very satisfying.
Posted by: Alexander Cooper | March 9, 2011 6:14 PM
it took me a while to realize that working IN government isn't as fun as 'influencing' government.
Scott, I love this!
Thanks everyone for sharing. I agree - it's so satisfying. How about everyone else?
Posted by: Lauren Hefner | March 9, 2011 8:02 PM