Networking, or making connections with people in your field, is a great way to develop viewpoints and expand your horizons. People who network are more likely to succeed within their discipline. This is because being part of a discipline is being part of a community; therefore, networking with people in that community offers opportunities for growth and development.
Many people, however, are uncertain of where to begin. Therefore, I have compiled a list of associations for people in the communication discipline, which I have annotated for your reference. The list includes regional, national, and international associations. Perhaps one of them is right for you!
- American Communication Association
- The ACA "is a not-for-profit organization, a virtual professional association with actual presence in the world of scholars and practitioners alike." Its membership is worldwide.
- Membership is free to those who subscribe to its listserv, providing a great opportunity for students to interact with communication scholars and professionals.
- Association for Women in Communications
- This association "champions the advancement of women across all communications disciplines by recognizing excellence, promoting leadership and positioning its members at the forefront of the evolving communications era."
- It has 120 student and professional chapters across the nation and overseas. Annual membership for professionals is $90. For student membership, refer to the student chapter nearest you.
- Canadian Communication Association
- The CCA is nationwide, bilingual organization investigating communication issues in Canada, which "seeks to promote communication research and studies in the belief that a better understanding of communication issues is vital to an informed public and building a healthy reasoning society."
- Founded in 1980, its members include teachers, researchers and professionals. Membership is $70, or $30 for students.
- Central States Communication Association
- Membership
- Chinese Communication Association
- Based at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Eastern Communication Association
- International Communication Association
- International Speech Communication Association
Also pubishes Human Communication, an annual journal.
Affiliated with the National Communication Association
To learn more about online networking, consider reading "Networking on the Network," an article by Phil Ager of UCLA. He makes many good points, such as the following: "Establishing professional relationships with particular people and involving yourself in particular professional communities will change you: not only will you internalize a variety of interesting points of view, but you will become more comfortable in your writing and speaking because you will be engaged in an ongoing conversation with people you know." A highly recommended article!