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When it comes to career networking, the most productive relationships occur among people in the same field. So how do you meet others in your niche? Through trade associations. Virtually every trade group has a local or state chapter, and many hold regional conferences. Your company may not be willing to pay your way, but attending a national conference will fill your address book with new names.
Students are often offered low-cost memberships and reduced conference fees, and, at some meetings, they're even singled out and applauded for their interest in the field. To get the most from your membership, volunteer your time to the group. You won't be paid, but you'll meet large numbers of people in your line of work -- most of whom will think you're a somebody just because you're on the board or a committee -- and you'll earn another line for your resume.
Here's a list of trade associations covering accounting, banking/mortgage/finance, economics, insurance, real estate/appraising and securities/investments. Groups that target women or minorities are marked with an asterisk (*).
Accounting
American College of Forensic Examiners
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers
American Society of Women Accountants*
American Woman's Society of Certified Public Accountants*
Association of Government Accountants
Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting*
Association for Management Information in Financial Services
Beta Alpha Psi
Institute of Internal Auditors
Institute of Management Accountants
National Association of Black Accountants*
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
National Society of Accountants
Banking, Mortgage and Finance
American Bankers Association
Financial Managers Society
Mortgage Bankers Association
National Association of Federal Credit Unions
National Association of Mortgage Brokers
National Association of Professional Mortgage Women*
National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association
Society of Financial Service Professionals
Urban Financial Services Coalition*
Economics
American Rehabilitation Economics Association
International Health Economics Association
National Association for Business Economics
National Economic Association*
Insurance
American Academy of Actuaries
American Council of Life Insurers
American Institute for CPCU
Association of Professional Insurance Women*
Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America
Insurance Accounting & Systems Association
International Association of Insurance Fraud Agencies
International Association of Special Investigation Units
National Association of Health Underwriters
National Association of Insurance Women*
Risk and Insurance Management Society
Real Estate and Appraising
American Society of Appraisers
Appraisal Institute
Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers
Institute of Real Estate Management
National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents
National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers
National Association of Master Appraisers
National Association of Real Estate Brokers
National Association of Realtors
National Association of Residential Property Managers
National Multi Housing Council
Realtors Land Institute
Society of Industrial and Office Realtors
Securities/Investments
Association of Investment Management Sales Executives
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
CFA Institute
Commodity Floor Brokers & Traders Association
Managed Funds Association
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
National Association of Stockbrokers
New York Society of Security Analysts
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
Security Traders Association
