In today’s competitive job market, it’s essential to stand out from the crowd and demonstrate a commitment to professional growth. One way to achieve this is by joining a professional body in your field. But why is it more important than ever to join a professional body in 2023?
With the ever-changing landscape of technology and the increasing demand for skilled professionals, membership in a professional body can provide you with the resources, networking opportunities, and recognition of competence that can propel your career to new heights.
Some organisations are exclusively trade bodies for member businesses like The Survey Association, some represent professionals exclusively and some represent both. This blog post isn’t focused on trade bodies but there are many parallels between them and professional bodies.
In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of joining professional bodies, the various types of professional bodies available, how they can advance your career, and how to choose the right professional body to align with your career objectives. This is a broad brush look at professional bodies in general and not just focused on our profession as land surveyors and drone pilots. Get ready to unlock the full potential of your career by harnessing the power of professional body membership.
Short Summary
Membership in professional bodies provides access to exclusive resources, networking opportunities, and career advancement.
Professional qualifications from these organizations can equip individuals with the necessary skills for their field and demonstrate competence on CVs.
Choosing a body that aligns with your goals is essential to maximize the benefits of membership.
- For clients and employers, staff with membership in a professional body demonstrates a level of confidence in a professional’s ability to perform the job well.
- Individual professionals by obtaining certifications and qualifications through professional bodies can demonstrate their expertise and commitment to professional growth.
Understanding Professional Bodies
A professional body is an organization that comprises personnel associated with a particular profession, interest, or occupation. They play a crucial role in maintaining professional standards, providing networking opportunities, and offering access to exclusive resources for their members. Examples of professional bodies include the British Society for Immunology, the Chartered Institute of Building, and the Royal College of Radiologists.
Gaining membership in a professional body is a way to further your career goals, as it offers credibility in a particular field, sector-specific qualifications and accreditation, financial assistance, access to specialized resources, guidance, and networking opportunities. For instance, professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors enables civil engineering surveyors to network with peers in their field, acquire new contacts, skills, and potential job prospects, as well as showcase their expertise and knowledge on their CVs.
Types of Professional Bodies
Professional bodies exist in various forms and cater to different professions. Examples include the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics and the Industrial Law Society. Other notable examples featured on GOV.UK include the Bachelier Finance Society, the Society of Back Pain Research, and the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Association (ARPAS-UK) which represents drone pilots and the drone industry in the UK. In the construction sector, the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) is a prominent professional body.
Membership categories in professional organizations usually include Student, Professional member, Fellow, and Associate. These professional bodies cater to various fields, such as radiology with the Royal College of Radiologists, and purchasing and supply with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS). Some, like CIPS, represent their members globally others are focused more on specific countries. The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for example, represents individuals in the marketing profession and boasts 30,000 members worldwide. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is a globally recognised professional body for various specialisms of surveyors including land surveyors, quantity surveyors, and building surveyors among others represented by 18 professional groups:
RICS Professional Groups
- Building Control
- Building Surveying
- Commercial Property
- Dispute Resolution
- Environment and Resources
- Facilities Management
- Geomatics
- Machinery and Business Assets
- Management Consultancy
- Minerals and Waste Management
- Planning and Development
- Personal Property/Arts and Antiques
- Project Management
- Quantity Surveying and Construction
- Residential Property
- Rural
- Valuation
Gaining Membership
Researching professional bodies before joining is crucial, as it ensures that the chosen body can provide the necessary support for your desired career. The process of attaining professional membership varies depending on the specific organization. Often, to become an Associate or Fellow of a professional body, an application must be submitted and approved by the board of the organization.
Students connected to professional organizations have access to resources that can aid in their assignments, including articles related to recent advances in the field.
Mature/experience entry routes are often available for senior professionals who don’t ordinarily meet the entry requirements. For example, a senior surveyor could gain membership via an assessment of their professional competence.
Advantages of Professional Body Membership
Membership in a professional body offers numerous advantages, such as access to exclusive resources, information, and benefits, networking opportunities, and recognition of competence. For example, members have access to industry-specific information, discounts, and events. These advantages not only enhance your professional growth but also increase your credibility and reputation in your field.
Networking is a key aspect of professional body membership, providing opportunities to connect with peers and experts in your industry. Conferences, seminars, and workshops offer a platform for members to exchange ideas, learn from others, and build valuable connections that can lead to new opportunities and career advancement.
Enhancing Professional Standards
Professional bodies play a crucial role in enhancing professional standards by offering access to sector-specific information, certifications, or professional qualifications, advocating for sector interests, providing professional advice, and creating opportunities for work experience and job opportunities. Membership in a professional body demonstrates dedication to professional growth and enhances credibility in your field.
By obtaining certifications and qualifications through professional bodies, individuals can demonstrate their expertise and commitment to professional growth. Access to industry-specific resources, such as research papers, journals, and other publications, also helps members stay informed about the latest developments in their field and maintain high standards in their professional practice.
Networking Opportunities
Professional bodies provide numerous networking opportunities to their members, such as conferences, seminars, webinars, online forums, and mentorship programs. These events and platforms offer members the chance to connect with their peers, access advice, develop their skills, and progress in their careers. For instance, the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) offers various events and training opportunities, both in-person and online, to support members with technical and employability skills and knowledge.
Networking opportunities offer members the chance to interact and establish connections with other professionals in their field. These connections can lead to valuable collaborations, job opportunities, and knowledge-sharing that can boost career growth and development. By actively engaging in these networking events, members can expand their professional network and stay updated on the latest trends and developments in their respective industries.
Access to Exclusive Resources
Members of professional bodies have access to a variety of exclusive resources that can aid in their professional development and career growth. Such resources include industry-specific research, thought leadership, networking opportunities, and physical resources like journals and conferences. For instance, the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) offers its members membership, qualifications, and training opportunities on a global scale.
These exclusive resources provide members with the insights and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen profession. By staying informed about the latest developments and best practices in their industry, members can maintain their professional competency and enhance their reputation in their field. Access to these resources can also help members identify new opportunities and develop the skills required to seize them.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Most professional bodies encourage and support Continuing Professional Development (CPD). CPD helps professionals to stay on top of the latest trends, technology and advice so that they are better able to serve their clients. Maintaining current skills, knowledge and abilities helps professionals to maintain high industry standards. CPD can be fulfilled by private study, distance learning, online courses, seminars, webinars and formal training sessions.
There are occasions where CPD can be onerous, particularly for sectors where relevant CPD can be hard to find or attend, and where professional bodies don’t serve sectors in their industries equally. Professional bodies are defined by their membership and can overly represent larger specialisms in their industry compared to smaller specialisms. For part-time employees, the CPD requirements can be onerous if the CPD requirement isn’t pro-rated. Failure to hit the prescribed amount of CPD study can lead to members being sanctioned.
Career Advancement through Professional Bodies
Professional bodies can help with career advancement
Professional body membership can significantly benefit one’s career progression by providing access to qualifications and certifications that demonstrate expertise and commitment to professional growth. Showcasing such qualifications on a CV can increase its credibility, making it more attractive to potential employers.
Professional body membership also offers access to exclusive job opportunities and work experience programs, such as internships, which can further enhance career prospects. By actively participating in professional body events and activities, members can expand their network, gain access to valuable resources, and demonstrate their dedication to continuous professional development.
This not only boosts career growth but also ensures that members stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in their industry, ultimately enhancing their professional standing and reputation.
Obtaining Professional Qualifications
Professional qualifications offered by professional bodies, such as certifications, licenses, and designations, equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge for various jobs and industries. These qualifications can lead to professional recognition, networking opportunities, and career growth. Obtaining professional qualifications typically involves meeting certain criteria, such as educational requirements, and successfully passing an exam or assessment.
By obtaining professional qualifications through a professional body, individuals can showcase their expertise and commitment to their chosen field. This can result in increased credibility, networking prospects, and career advancement opportunities. For example, professional recognition from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is a requirement for becoming a Quantity Surveyor.
Showcasing Competence on CVs
Certifications, skills, and affiliations with professional organizations can be listed on CVs to demonstrate competence and dedication to professional growth. By creating a dedicated section on your CV for these accomplishments, potential employers can easily identify your commitment to your profession and your expertise in the field.
When crafting this section of your CV, it is important to use positive words and phrases to portray your accomplishments and showcase your commitment to professional growth. This can make your CV stand out from the competition and increase your chances of securing job interviews and opportunities in your chosen field.
Job Opportunities and Work Experience
Professional bodies provide job boards, career resources, networking opportunities, professional development, and work experience programs such as internships. Additionally, they offer training courses, assessments, and career development programs that can aid in career progression.
By taking advantage of these resources and opportunities, members can enhance their skills, gain practical experience, and expand their professional network. This can lead to new job opportunities, internal promotions, and promote overall career growth. Actively participating in professional body activities and events can also demonstrate dedication to professional development, making members more attractive to potential employers.
The Role of Professional Bodies in Advocacy and Lobbying
Professionals at a site meeting
Professional bodies play a vital role in advocating on behalf of their members and lobbying for policies that will benefit their profession. This can involve raising awareness of the importance of their profession to the public and government officials and enhancing the outcome of individuals and the community through advocacy services.
In addition, professional bodies influence policy and regulation, ensuring that the interests of their members are considered in the decision-making processes of regulatory bodies and intern-government bodies. By joining a professional body, members can contribute to the development and improvement of their industry by participating in advocacy efforts and influencing policy and regulation.
This not only benefits the individual member but also contributes to the overall advancement of their profession and the well-being of society as a whole.
Influencing Policy and Regulation
Professional bodies can impact policy and regulation by upholding standards of education, training, and conduct, representing their members’ interests, offering expert advice to decision-makers, engaging in lobbying activities, participating in consultations and public hearings, and investigating potential breaches of standards or instances of unfitness to practice.
By advocating for changes in the industry, professional bodies can shape policy and regulation to the benefit of their members and the profession as a whole. Through their advocacy efforts, professional bodies can offer expert advice and perspectives on proposed policies or regulations, ensuring that decision-makers are informed by the knowledge and experience of professionals in the field. This helps to guarantee that the public is protected from unqualified or unethical professionals and maintains high standards in the industry.
Promoting Industry Best Practices
Industry best practices are guidelines, ethics, or ideas that represent the most efficient or prudent course of action in a given business situation. Professional bodies play a significant role in ensuring adherence to these best practices by advocating for their members, promoting equitable access, and discouraging any form of discrimination.
By promoting industry best practices, professional bodies help maintain high standards in their respective fields, ensuring that professionals are well-equipped to excel in their careers and provide the best possible service to the public. Membership in a professional body demonstrates a commitment to upholding these standards, which can enhance the reputation and credibility of the individual and their profession.
Professional Bodies in Engineering
Professional engineering institutions play a crucial role in advancing the engineering profession, representing members, administering and evaluating professional examinations, providing assistance for ongoing professional development, and regulating the professional conduct and practice of the professional engineers themselves. These institutions are regulated by the Engineering Council, which is responsible for the registration of Engineering Technicians (EngTech), Incorporated Engineers (IEng), and Chartered Engineers (CEng) in the engineering profession.
Membership in a professional engineering institution can provide numerous benefits, such as access to exclusive resources, networking opportunities, discounts on industry events, and the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency on CVs. By joining a professional engineering body, engineers can enhance their professional growth, reputation, and credibility in their field.
Engineering Council Registration
To become a registered engineer with the Engineering Council of the United Kingdom, it is mandatory to join a professional engineering institution/body that is allowed to evaluate potential civil engineers there. The candidate must likewise meet the standards set by the institution in order to be eligible for registration. The registration process for professional institutions/bodies may vary. Nevertheless, the concerned institute will assess your qualifications, experience, and skills to decide what level of qualification you are eligible for with the Engineering Council.
Registering with the British Engineering Council not only enhances your professional standing but also demonstrates your commitment to upholding high standards in the engineering profession. This can lead to increased credibility, networking prospects, and career advancement opportunities.
Young Professional Membership
Young professional membership is designed to support individuals who are embarking on developing their professional journeys. Offered by professional bodies as a type of membership, it provides networking opportunities, access to industry events, professional development resources, and career advancement opportunities for young professionals.
By joining an association or professional body as a young professional, individuals can gain access to valuable resources and networking opportunities that can significantly enhance their career prospects. This demonstrates a commitment to professional development, making young professionals more attractive to potential employers and increasing the likelihood of career advancement.
Choosing the Right Professional Body
Surveyor/site engineer with theodolite/total station on a construction site during a site survey
Selecting the right professional body is of paramount importance, as it can provide you with the necessary support, resources, and opportunities to enhance your career. To ensure that a professional body aligns with your career objectives, it is essential to evaluate its reputation and credibility, research the industry and company, take into account any necessary requirements, and compare membership benefits.
By carefully evaluating the available professional bodies and choosing the one that best aligns with your career goals, you can maximize the benefits of membership and ensure that you receive the support and resources needed to excel in your chosen profession.
Aligning with Career Objectives
Professional body membership can play a pivotal role in supporting your career objectives and enhancing your resume. By choosing a professional body that aligns with your career goals, you can access resources and opportunities that are tailored to your specific needs and aspirations.
When selecting a professional body, consider how its membership benefits, resources, and networking opportunities can help you achieve your career objectives. By aligning your membership with your career goals, you can enhance your professional growth and increase your chances of success in your chosen field.
Evaluating Benefits and Services
It is essential to evaluate the advantages and services provided by professional bodies to guarantee that they are suitable for your career goals. Professional bodies offer a range of benefits, including access to sector-specific resources, relevant certifications or professional qualifications, lobbying for interests within the sector, professional advice, work experience and job opportunities, events and networking, and recognition of professionalism.
By comparing the benefits and services offered by different professional bodies, you can ensure that you are making an informed decision when selecting the right organization for your needs. This will enable you to maximize the advantages of membership and ensure that you receive the support and resources necessary to achieve your career objectives.
Summary
In conclusion, joining a professional body in 2023 can provide numerous benefits to professionals across various industries. From access to exclusive resources and networking opportunities to enhancing professional standards and advancing careers, professional body membership is a valuable investment in your future. By carefully evaluating the available professional bodies and choosing the one that best aligns with your career objectives, you can ensure that you receive the support and resources needed to excel in your chosen profession.
The drone industry is a relatively new industry that is having a profound impact on other industries. As a young industry, there aren’t established professional bodies. Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Association (ARPAS-UK) is the closest thing we have in the drone industry in the UK. I have seen many criticisms of ARPAS-UK online but if you don’t like it you should join and help it grow.
Many drone pilots are looking at moving into services like drone mapping. Having good social proofing with Google and other reviews is important. However, so is having the right affiliations that your target industry knows and trusts is also important. So it is good to upskill and gain recognition that your audience will value.
Whether you are an engineer, a marketer, or an accountant, membership in a professional body can open doors, connect you to like-minded professionals, and provide you with the tools and resources to achieve your career goals. Don’t miss the opportunity to unlock your full potential – join a professional body today and witness the impact it can have on your career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional bodies in the UK are responsible for ensuring that professionals operate to a high ethical and technical standard. They provide qualifications and certifications, set standards, provide resources for members, offer training and skills development courses, facilitate networking and support the public interest.
In other words, professional bodies ensure professional excellence in the UK.
The government in the UK have a list of professional bodies and learned societies in the UK. Note: This list is comprehensive but includes some former societies like the Society of Surveying Technicians which was absorbed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors quite some years ago
