Profession intention: develop a path to success through self-awareness, education, and involvement.

When I started college, I knew exactly where I was headed--to a great job with a Washington, D.C., firm to practice corporate law. By the middle of my junior year, that all changed. I was no longer interested in corporate law, but I didn't know what I would do. I wasn't sure where my life was headed. I used to hum the tune to "Do You Know Where You're Going To?" over and over in my head. What I did know was that I needed to be in a job where I would help people. I had to work for an organization whose mission had something to do with making a difference.

I had a series of internships during college, but nothing fueled the fire inside to make a change in the world. So I went to my campus career center and took a series of career assessments. Each of them told me a little more about myself, but one point stood out: I had to work with people--helping, teaching, and learning with people. Identifying that helped me embark on my career in the world of nonprofits.

Commit to professional development

The first position I had with a nonprofit organization involved working in a community relations department. I helped implement several programs and manage day-to-day administrative tasks of grant-funded projects. It wasn't long before the money began to run out and we had to write additional grants. I was petrified because I had never written a grant application. Periodically, we received information about grant-writing seminars. Being the perpetual learner, I always thought I should go to a few of these short courses, but I didn't know how to ask my organization, "Would you spend a few dollars for me to take this class that will really help me write the grant to get the funding we are going to need in a few months?" I didn't have much to lose, so one day J did ask. Fortunately, I had a supervisor who was amenable to supporting my professional development and that began the investment in my continuing education.

Several years passed and I was at an impasse in my career with that organization. I had outgrown my positions within the department, and there was no indication of a real future for meat that organization. Knowing that the choice was either to remain stagnant in my job or to leave in order to grow, I decided to seek other opportunities.

I was looking for several things in a new position: a good mission, a positive work atmosphere, dedication to professional development, and upward mobility. I was fortunate to find those qualities in the American School Food Service Association and the School Food Service Foundation, located in Alexandria, Virginia.

Join supportive associations

As I got more settled in my new job and began to pay more attention to my environment, I noticed several people in the office were receiving ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT or Executive Update. I also noticed others were attending conferences, educational sessions, and events sponsored by ASAE and other professional organizations. My natural inclination was to ask, "What about me?"

I sat down with my supervisor on several occasions to weigh the pros and cons. I asked specific questions: What does that organization offer? Why did you choose to he a member? What are the benefits other than the magazine? Has being a member made a difference to you? My supervisor encouraged my inquiries and supported my growth as a professional. I learned that a good boss will give you opportunities. A great boss will not only give you opportunities but also take time to discuss what you've learned and how it will help you achieve success with current and future tasks.

I talked to a few of the people in our office who were members of both GWSAE and ASAE. I wanted to know directly from them what each organization provided that benefited them. It was important to me to talk to people who were on the same professional level that I was. In the end, the choice to join the local allied society or ASAE was left to me. At the time, I chose to join GWSAE. Because I was so young in my association management career, I needed to learn how to swim in the local pond before I jumped into the ocean of association management.

Take advantage of educational programs and opportunities

Across the next couple of years, I earned two promotions that elevated me to a different level on the professional ladder. This was a pivotal time in my career. It became apparent to me that I was meant to be an association management professional. The passion I had for the profession was growing by leaps and bounds and I thought I needed additional information, educational programs, and resources beyond what my local society had to offer. I made the decision to become a member of ASAE.

Being a member of ASAE has afforded me the very things I was seeking in a membership organization: a host of opportunities from networking and professional exchange with my peers to professional development, educational resources, and the opportunity to participate by serving on committees and advisory councils.

Through my involvement in ASAE, I have taken advantage of virtually every program, seminar, and networking opportunity that I can. There are times when I know my ASAE and GWSAE peers must be tired of seeing my face and hearing my voice. I can't help it. I have great respect and passion for our profession and for my peers. It is important for me to be around as many association management professionals as I can to share ideas, reinforce our paths, and simply support one another. Some of the best friends and closest allies I have made in recent years have come from Knowledge Networks, conferences, committee work, and communication via e-mail lists.

Through an ASAE e-mail list, I met a colleague who has become a close professional ally. This individual told me about the Diversity Executive Leadership Program. After doing some reading and research, I decided DELP was something I needed to be involved with. When I applied for participation in the program, I had changed positions and had begun working with a different level of programs and leadership within my association. Specifically, that change took me to a higher level of responsibility in working with volunteer leadership and also expanded my involvement with state affiliate association management and their leadership. I also had taken on additional responsibilities of supervision, and I knew I had grown to a place where it was time for me to start learning more and to give something back. Participating in this diversity program was a natural fit for me.

Get involved and give back

One of the best things emerging in my career now is that I am in a unique position to give back, get involved, and be an active participant in the lives of not only my co-workers but also my peers. All the learning and yolunteering doesn't matter until you begin to apply it. Anyone who has risen through the ranks and desires to continue should give back. The best people I have met in this profession continue to make themselves available to me. I have a network of colleagues who mentor me in different ways. As my career and knowledge of the profession has advanced, it has become important to me to also pass along my experience and help our profession grow. As you travel along your own career path, remember that there are others out there who want to be where you are. Take time to reach hack and help them. The rewards from such efforts are tremendous.

Being selected as a DELP scholar has afforded me several incredible opportunities. I have met and collaborated with what I consider some of the best and brightest minds in association management. I have taken advantage of several professional growth and educational outlets. In addition, involvement in the program has provided a segue into my own volunteer work in the association community. I have been able to work closer than ever with my local allied society, participating in committee work, attending several educational programs, and collaborating on projects with some fantastic colleagues. In addition, my involvement in this program has made it apparent to me how important it is to encourage people who otherwise would not consider association management as a career path.

Appreciate the benefits of involvement

During the past couple of years, I have had the opportunity to really understand and appreciate the benefits of my membership in ASAE. Through my involvement in association management activities and recently as a DELP scholar, I have come to understand the importance of being an engaged member. I appreciate the value of being a member and active participant in the association community. I have been able to share ideas with colleagues from across the country and develop what I believe will be a lasting network of professional friends with whom I can share ideas, provide and receive feedback on projects, and simply lean on for professional support. Being a DELP scholar has heightened my awareness of the issues surrounding diversity and the value of the contributions that will be made by a talented yet underused segment in this industry.

My involvement in our community's activities has provided me with some of the necessary groundwork I need to be a good mentor and a well-rounded association executive. And it feels so good to know where I'm going from here.

RELATED ARTICLE: ASAE's Diversity Executive Leadership Program

"The biggest challenge in encouraging diversity," says Susan M. Darrow, immediate past chair of ASAE's Diversity Committee, is "moving from an awareness of its value to implementing a program to promote diversity throughout an association."

The cooperation of ASAE's allied societies and the sponsorship of Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau have helped get ASAE's Diversity Executive Leadership Program from the visionary mission statement to the pragmatics of the program, from lofty goals to success stories.

HOW IT WORKS

ASAE grants participants a year's complimentary membership and registration to two other ASAE educational programs, and waives other expenses, including CAE-associated costs. Allied societies offer similar concessions, nominate candidates, and assist in evaluating the program and participants at the end of the process. Underwriting by Detroit Metro CVB covers travel and other expenses. Mentors, networking, and committee service are also part of the program structure, The Diversity Committee, which manages and monitors DELP, looks beyond color in terms of diversity. Lifestyle, disabilities, income, and other cultural factors are additional considerations in current diversity initiatives.

DELP'S GOALS

Now in its third year, DELP's goals are to

* increase diversity within the field of association management by providing educational and networking opportunities to potential leaders representing diverse populations;

* lead candidates into more senior-level association management positions by providing distinctive opportunities to

* increase exposure and education in association management;

* encourage more diverse candidates to assume leadership roles in association management;

* provide participants with appropriate mentors who are able to assist in career guidance and networking opportunities; and

* measure the return on investment by conducting an annual survey of candidates to determine advancement within the association industry.

SUCCESS STORIES

Robert G. Drummer, CAE, describes his experience in the second year of DELP as a "prep school for thinking like a CEO." Drummer, the vice president of government affairs and general counsel for the American Moving and Storage Association, Alexandria, Virginia, took advantage of every opportunity offered by the DELP program. He attended ASAE's Annual Meeting and Exposition, Strategic Leadership Forum, and Future Leaders Conference, but the most direct benefit, he says, was earning the CAE designation. Getting to know others in the program as well as ASAE and local allied society members has been "a tremendous experience on a personal level, simply invaluable," he says.

Rufina A. Hernandez, another DELP participant, shares Drummer's appreciation for the program. In fact, she says that she even owes her new career move to it. In July she became the associate director of the human and civil rights unit of the National Education Association, Washington, D.C. Hernandez says networking through ASAE last year opened doors of opportunity to advance her career from a smaller, state-based organization to a nationwide association. "Although I was an executive director already, ASAE's educational programs helped me expand my skills and expertise in management and leadership. My next effort will be taking the CAE exam to wrap up the year."

For more information about ASAE's diversity program, call 202-626-2808 or visit www.asaenet.org/awards/diversity.

Career Compass

In plotting my professional course, I've identified four road signs on my path for career development in association management.

* Don't be afraid to ask for an investment in yourself. You have nothing to lose by asking. If you don't ask, how will you find out what you can gain?

* Find association management buddies. After a few meetings and networking sessions, you'll begin to see familiar faces. Take time to talk with colleagues about their interests and fields of expertise. Soon you'll find yourself calling or emailing them for advice or to find out if they are going to the same event that you are attending. When you're starting out, it's always nice to have familiar faces to connect with.

* Take advantage of events with reasonable registration rates, even if you're unsure your organization will pay for them. Find out if scholarships are available. Attend every free session that interests you and will help advance your career. Simple things like brown-bag lunches and networking events cost little more than your time, but the rewards are great.

* Be an active participant. Listen carefully. Respond wisely. Take time to give back. Be the buddy that a new association management professional needs to look to for advice and support. Your role as a mentor will pay large dividends.

Michelle Robinson is director of affiliate services and membership, American School Food Service Association, Alexandria, Virginia. E-mail: [e-mail].