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Professional Associations in Science Career Exploration
Science is a community endeavor often conducted through the activities of professional societies and associations. Individual scientists submit their findings to journals, present papers at professional meetings, and invite critique from other experts in order to evaluate the validity of their findings. Professional organizations often provide an indispensable forum for the public evaluation of science. It is therefore essential for life scientists to understand and value the role of the professional organizations, the community of scientists.
Professional organizations provide opportunities for continuing educational development and building relationships with others with similar interests. This is sometimes done in formal class settings and at other times in informal discussions that may take place at professional meetings. Scientific learning does not take place in isolation but in an evolving relationship with previous scientific discoveries and others working in the field.
For the university student exploring a career in science, professional organizations offer vast resources. However the following list of professional organizations can be the source of very helpful information only if the student can interpreted the information and see its career implications. Here is what the student might learn from a professional organization web site.
1. Explanations of career alternatives and specialties in the field. Several feature "Career Centers" or clearinghouses of career information. Several have self-tests to help the student evaluate his or her aptitude for the profession.
2. Listings of professional job openings and career development resources.
3. Membership lists will often show where members are employed thus providing the student with a handy list of target employer organizations.
4. Professional journals published by the organizations may list job openings along with hiring firms.
5. Presenters at professional conferences and organizational leaders may give the student ideas for a major professor for graduate study.
6. Journal articles and conference topics may give the student an idea of "hot" topics or trends in the field. If the student can demonstrate some knowledge or expertise on this topic/trend his/her employment potential may be enhanced. He may be able to identify opportunities before jobs are posted.
7. Current summaries of news in the field may identify people and organizations that the student may wish to contact to build professional relationships.
8. Local members of the professional organization may be identified. These individuals may be helpful in providing the student with a valuable perspective on the field.
9. Specific career information of value to women, minority, and special populations.
10. Links to other career relevant information and other professional associations.
11. Vendors at professional conferences may provide career opportunities for students in life sciences. |
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