10 IT Organizations To Help Your Career

According to the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), there are more than 92,000 trade and professional organizations currently active in the United States, and that number is growing on average by around 3.4% per year.

These organizations offer a number of benefits to their members. They provide networking and career advancement opportunities. They lobby government officials on issues of concern to their members. They publish scholarly journals and similar resources. They hold conferences, seminars and other educational events. They promote volunteerism and provide scholarships to students. They encourage industry cooperation by establishing standards for professional conduct or technology. And many recognize excellence in their professions through awards or certification programs.

IT professionals looking to take advantage of these benefits have literally dozens of different professional organizations to choose from. This slideshow features 10 of the largest and most well known. Some have a wide-reaching membership and a general mission, while others are focused more narrowly on a particular specialty, like networking or security. The list also includes two organizations dedicated to advancing the careers of women, who continue to be underrepresented in the technology industry.

IT professionals who would like to join a professional organization would do well to investigate their options carefully, including examining the potential benefits and the fees charged by various groups. In addition, they should consider whether a particular organization has a local chapter in their area, as the local organizations often offer the best opportunities for getting to know other people involved in IT.

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