As with most professions, there are a wide-range of organizations which offer support to Communication Professionals. Through annual conferences and lively Internet discussion boards, mentoring programs and scholarships, even job postings and career advice, these groups can prove an invaluable resource.
Whether you are just now considering a career in communications or are a grizzled veteran of the journalistic trenches, the following is a sampling that may be of interest:
The American Communication Association (ACA): Founded in 1993, the ACA is a non-profit organization geared toward promoting the use of new technologies for the purpose of facilitating instruction, research and criticism. Comprised of academics and professionals interested in the study of communication, membership in the organization is free, and most dialogue takes place through an on-line discussion group.
The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA): The self-proclaimed leading professional organization for editors, writers, and various other communicators connected to the world of medicine, the AMWA was founded in 1940 and is dedicated to the promotion of excellence in medical communication, along with supplying the educational means with which to achieve their goal. Consisting of more than 5600 members in over 30 countries, the AMWA hosts an annual conference, and publishes a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal.
The Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ): With a membership of more than 1,000, the AHCJ is a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the accuracy, quality, and visibility of health care writing, reporting, and editing. Formed by two reporters in 1997, the AHCJ sponsors an annual award dedicated to excellence in health care reporting, and supports a fellowship program aimed at assisting journalists in better understanding local and federal health care systems.
The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC): Founded in 1970, the IABC provides support to a network of 15,000 communication professionals in over 80 countries; the association’s members hold positions across a wide range of professions, including public relations, governmental affairs, human resources, and advertising. The IABC provides educational opportunities for its members through a series of conferences, along with multiple publications and on-line resources, and recognizes excellence in leadership, creativity, and strategic management through its annual Gold Quill Award.
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ): Aimed at protecting and preserving journalism and the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech, the SPJ boasts about 9,000 members and was founded in 1909 at DePauw University as a journalistic fraternity. Through an annual convention, along with a series of internships, scholarships, and fellowships, the SPJ seeks to encourage excellence and diversity in journalism, and promote a climate in which journalistic integrity can flourish.
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