Work/Life: Why Do You Love Working for an Association?
Association management is special. Your friends and family may not fully understand what you do, but that’s ok. Many of us who work in this field are accidental association management professionals–we had no idea what we were getting into, but now we never want to leave! Sound familiar?
We spoke to three association professionals about why they love doing the work they do. We’d love to hear what brought you to association management and why you love it. Head over to MyForum to introduce yourself and sound off with peers.
Why Do You Love Working for an Association?
|
|
“I started working at a call center in the late 90s that worked with associations. I immediately fell in love with the association community, the missions of each organization, the impact they have on the world, and the people. I have been hooked ever since! Through my work at Mighty Citizen, I have the honor of helping associations strengthen their branding, marketing, content, and websites to make more impact in the world. Over the years, I have achieved my CAE and currently sit on the ASAE Board. I am based in the DC Metro Area, and make it a point to head out to Chicago a few times a year. It’s such a great city! I am happy to connect while I am in town!I love connecting and at the beginning of the COVID lockdown, I started a morning coffee to create a touchpoint with the association community. That call is still going strong today! I am happy that even some Chicagoans join in! Let me know if you would like to join.” Nicole Araujo, CAE |
|
|
“Like many of you, I stumbled into association management by accident. Of course, I quickly realized I landed in a special place. Association professionals have a unique opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives and move society forward to a better place. For example, my organization’s mission is to support veterinary medicine. This means that our work supports those who bring joy and wellbeing to so many by keeping their beloved pets healthy and ensuring a safe food supply for all of us. Not too difficult to get motivated! One of the best things in working in associations for the past 30 years is the type of people our profession attracts: smart, caring, and interesting. I am grateful for the friends and colleagues I met through my association work. I have made life-long friends and truly value those relationships and special memories. I feel truly blessed to have spent my career as an association professional!” Adrian Hochstadt, J.D., CAE |
|
|
“I love association work for a lot of reasons, but one of the big ones is because I love community. Creating and fostering a tight-knit community where I have the privilege to watch members and volunteers grow their careers gives me so much energy. Associations showcase the power of our communities every day, and that’s an exciting thing to be a part of in a career!” Nikki Palluzzi, CAE |
Tags
Related Articles
Finding the Perfect Fit: Why Adaptability and Empathy are Shaping the Future of Association Hiring
Learn the latest trends in recruiting and hiring from two major players in the association...
Are Women in Associations Doing More Office Housework? And Is It Holding Us Back?
Do tasks like ordering gifts for Board members or making restaurant reservations predominantly fall to...
Uniting Voices: How Association Leaders are Shaping Industries Through Advocacy
Forum speaks with the American Bus Association and AIHA about their advocacy programs.