1. The KEY to Expanding Your Network: Professional Associations Brittany Chu USC Career Center

2. Why Are You Here Today? What programs are people in? Why I chose this topic Define: Professional associations What do YOU get out of joining them? Define: Networking

3. Already Part of a Professional Association?

4. Learning Outcomes By the end of this presentation you will have: Explored various professional associations online Thoughtfully considered the organizations you would like to join Looked into potential conferences you can attend Learned how to network effectively Practiced exchanging business cards Learned how to maintain contacts after events

5. BEFORE

6. 1.Research Professional Associations Mission statement Values Beliefs Quality check: Research (ie: journal articles published regularly) Current Events Current Members Membership Fees + Subscriptions + Benefits Future Goals

7. Navigating the Career Center Website http://careers.usc.edu/

8. Investigate Their Impact on the Field Walk through various websites: IEEE (Electrical Engineering) PRSA.org (Public Relations) FGI.org (Fashion Group International) NASPA.org (Higher Education & Student Affairs) Gwen Dungy tribute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkhmRAjiqJs&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkhmRAjiqJs&feature=related 2011 Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h37NLuD4wB0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h37NLuD4wB0 What industry are YOU interested in?

9. 2. Join Professional Associations The ones that resonate with you the most! After becoming a member, sign up for: Updates Blogs Newsletters Membership Benefits Keep current & up-to-date on the latest trends and movements in field! This will keep you ahead of the curve!

10. DURING

11. 3. Seek Out Professional Development Activities Local, regional, & national conferences Round-table discussions Mixers Socials Workshops Webinars Panels

12. 4. Network With Professionals That are in your field of interest Laterally (ACROSS with peers/colleagues) Vertically (UP with senior level practitioners) Vista Print: Print 250 FREE business cards! Create a LinkedIN account! *NASPA Placement Exchange in Arizona 2012 http://www.theplacementexchange.org/event/ *Social Media Revolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SuNx0UrnEo

13. 5. Exchange Business Cards (Activity) Before: Prepare what you would like to say Remain calm, cool, and collected heading in- SMILE! During: Shake their hand and introduce yourself Find commonalities and similar points of interest Remember to stay confident, relaxed, & comfortable After: Write down context of conversation on back of each card E-mail employers immediately when it’s fresh in your mind

14. AFTER

15. 6. Maintain Contacts After Events Keep in touch with those met at professional development events through E-mail Stay in constant communication; Check-in Great for future references! Referrals, Letters of Recommendation Resource: Connect you to others in their field

16. My Personal Journey PAST: UC San Diego: Undergrad Visited Career Center Soph Yr Counsel from Career Advisor changed my life! NASPA, CISAC, & SLI in Seattle, Washington Applied to Graduate School for Masters Programs PRESENT: USC 2 ND Year of Grad school: M.Ed PASA Program Philly, PA. Graduate Intern here- Full circle!

17. Concluding Remarks You are now equipped with the resources to: Network comfortably & confidently! Join professional associations that speak to you Tap into your strengths & talents You now have the SECRET to establishing, maintaining, strengthening, and expanding your network! So go out and do it! And share what you’ve learned today with others!

18. Any Questions?