Alyson Iuchs ⋅ Edwards, CA Photogenic, Inc ⋅ 5 years experience

While pursuing your degree in Health Services Administration, professional healthcare organizations can be beneficial in your job hunt. Professional organizations are student-friendly and by joining before you graduate employers will notice your initiative to learn more about your field. Highlighted below are three benefits to joining a professional healthcare organization.

1. Networking
Professional organizations are full of experienced administrators that already have the job you are working towards. You can use this organization to make contacts with professionals at facilities you hope to work with in the future and members are often willing to mentor you with your transition from student to the corporate world. Plus professional associations have a variety of conferences and events that students can often attend at a discounted rate which is a great place to meet new people and hear industry experts talk.

For networking and conference opportunities with the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management look at: http://www.aaham.org/

2. Job boards
Professional organizations often have dedicated job boards that employers with ties to their group post in. These job and internship opportunities can sometimes only be found in these specific listservs. Graduating students usually know what they want to do with their degree, but actually finding a position can be difficult. These listservs can provide a starting point in the job search and students know that these postings are legitimate.

For more information on the different career options in healthcare or nursing read this:
http://graduate.norwich.edu/resources-msn/infographics-msn/the-dynamic-growth-of-the-nursing-profession/

3. Continuing education
Depending on the organization you join they may offer opportunities to take classes and exams to further your educations and obtain new certifications in your field. Associations also send out newsletters with policy changes and best practice information to keep you informed. One piece of legislation can change the way you are able to operate your facility, so staying updated on current policies and procedures is important.

A guide to literacy in education: http://mastersed.uc.edu/news-resources/infographics/american-literacy-in-the-21st-century/

To learn more about certifications available with the American Health Information Management Association check out: http://www.ahima.org/

Jim Jones ⋅ Getzville, NY Fidelis Care ⋅ 35 years experience

Hi Brenton, thank you for your service. Think of service/volunteer organizations as a two way street. You can provide skills/talents that will further the mission of the organization and give back to the community. It provides an opportunity for you to network and show case your skills and abilities. As you know joining a community organization as a resume filler serves no purpose. Consider organizations that interest you both professionally and personally, then pick one or two where you can invest your talent and time.

James Bishop ⋅ Columbus, OH Morgan Stanley ⋅ 8 years experience

Active networking and involvement with an organization like this http://mmhra.shrm.org/ is very important in the human resources field. There are not enough great jobs so you need to have all the relationships you can before you graduate. If the above organization is not local to you, someone is.

Seek internships as well. Where I live, Rotary is going to let you network with business owners and decision makers over something like the chamber. If you are interested in that path look for Rotaract as a campus organization it is a campus Rotary club.

Tom Wissing ⋅ Diamondhead, MS Seaside Consulting ⋅ 13 years experience

I like Jeff and Jennifer's answers and think that joining an org or society is good for two things.
First, it shows interest in that field and that you are not just job hunting. Second, if you devote some time getting into an officer position in the group, that experience and devotion speaks volumes over your peers about your leadership skills and lack of fear.

Arthur Cone ⋅ Littleton, CO Transamerica Financial Advisors/ World Financial Group ⋅ 5 years experience

Absolutely....consider joining your local rotary club or chamber of commerce. Community outreach is always viewed favorable by companies and many allow for volunteer service hours. Also, joining organizations iis a great way to network for a new job.

Jeff Sanders ⋅ Deland, FL USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service ⋅ 20 years experience

Hi Brenton. I think being the member of a professional organization is very important in your career hunt, as long as it is in line with your career. When you apply for a job, you are either "looking for A job", or you are seeking employment in your career field. Someone with experience, and interest in their field is important. Professional organizations that align with your career show that you have interest in that field and want to stay on top of your game, rather than simply someone looking for a job. Good luck!

Neil Serafin ⋅ Easthampton, MA Telecommunications ⋅ 40 years experience

Organizations are good for contacts. In your case it maybe in a non-competitive environment. Be careful of explaining too much of your plans to organizations full of people with the money and the connections who can put a facility down the road from yours. The retirement industry, as you know is big business. You can learn about vendors at organization trade shows.

Jennifer Polhemus ⋅ Santa Monica, CA Precision Research (self-employed) ⋅ 25 years experience

In terms of which organizations signal your knowledge & commitment the best, I'll leave that questions to other mentors in your field.

Do any of the organizations have a local chapter, where you could become personally involved? Or perhaps a newsletter where you could submit an article (maybe based on research you did for a college paper)?