These groups often need people to lead their
organizations. They are willing to let someone
with little experience but a lot of enthusiasm and
potential lead their organizations. You can usu-
ally start small, for example, by agreeing to chair
a committee. In addition, many groups offer
leadership training. Leadership skills learned in
this way are directly transferable to the job.
Professional Associations
Involvement in a professional association is
one of the main ways to keep up-to-date in your
profession, 23-31. Professional associations usu-
ally have magazines, newsletters, and Web sites
where they publish industry and career infor-
mation. Many associations have monthly meet-
ings where you can meet people and find out
about jobs. Many associations offer classes, sem-
inars, and certificate programs. Professional
associations and career and technical student
organizations offer many opportunities to
develop leadership skills.
Changing Jobs
In order to move ahead, you have to change
jobs. If you like the company that you are with,
you can often move up in the same company.
You may still have to go through a formal
Chapter 23 Skills for Success
547
DECA-An Association of Marketing Students
23-30 Student career and technical organizations provide many opportunities for professional and leadership
development. These students are presenting a proposal for a hospitality and recreation business at a DECA
conference. DECA is an association of marketing students.