Joining a Professional Organization – Thoughts from Luke Buchanan

Joining a professional organization is a great way to advance your career, says Luke Buchanan, a real estate agent based out of Washington, D.C. Luke Buchanan is part of a group of a luxury real estate firms in Washington, D.C. and received his Washington, D.C. Real Estate Salesperson License in 2013, though he also has a background in marketing. Luke Buchanan has been a member of the American Marketing Association since 2011. This organization has provided Luke Buchanan with a competitive edge in the marketing industry by opening up a range of new opportunities for him to pursue.

One reason Luke Buchanan recommends joining a professional organization is that it is a great way to network. When you attend organization meetings you have the opportunity to interact with a wide range of individuals at varying points in their careers and working with a variety of countries. In today’s economy, jobs often open up only to those who already have connections. Luke Buchanan sees professional organization meetings as precisely the place where career advancement begins.

Another reason Luke Buchanan believes in joining professional organizations is that they provide opportunities for continuing education. To truly hone your skills as a professional, Luke Buchanan believes you should attend as many continuing education programs as possible. Every class offers some new insight into the workings of your industry that can help you get ahead of your competitor. Having the appropriate continuing education credentials can also help you to advance within your industry.

Luke Buchanan also sees joining a professional organization as a way to make friends with people whom you have something in common with. Being able to talk about work is a great icebreaker, Luke Buchanan finds. From there, it can be easy to build meaningful friendships that extend beyond the professional realm. Professional societies often offer social events for just this reason.