Professional associations
Otherwise known as industry or peak bodies, professional associations represent people working within a sector of the workforce. For example, you might have heard of the Minerals Council of Australia or the Australian Medical Association in the news.
By engaging with these organisations and participating in their networking and professional development activities, students can interact with professionals already working in the field, gain valuable insight into the way the industry operates, and figure out how to find employment.
Student membership or news bulletin subscriptions are ways of finding out what’s going on within industry and taking advantage of opportunities to connect with future peers and employers.
To find the right one for you:
- talk to people you know in industry and relevant University staff for recommendations,
- use your favourite search engine, or
- consult the “Directory of Australian Associations” in the Careers Resources Centre by looking up the subject you’re interested in. (View sample pages)
Professional Association Guidelines
Some professional associations have established guidelines regarding the responsibilities of graduate employers towards graduate applicants, as well as your responsibilities towards them. More information can be found online:
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICCA)
- National Recruitment Code of Practice 2006
- The Law Institute of Victoria
- Guidelines regarding articles and seasonal clerkships
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