Tomas Eckholm


Career development 14h
Hi! I work as a driver for a large company and I’m assigned to one of the managers. I drive him to and from work and during the day if he needs it. But my boss keeps giving me more and more tasks. First, I had to drive his daughter to school. Then I started picking her up every day. Now I’m supposed to go to his house and walk his dog. I also have to drive his wife wherever she needs to go.
None... of this is part of my job. Should I ask for extra pay, refuse these tasks or talk to the company director? Thanks.

 more
1   

  • topaco reagan acellam

    1h

    Is walking the dog part of the driving tasks?, just go and revise your offer letter and go by it.

  • Mugabe Ali

    2h

    Jobs are scouse now days my brother,even UN are reducing works can you imagine
    So do whatever you are assigned off for the case of the job
    Unless... you have another alternative  more

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Career development

 1d

Notes on sending thank-you notes


Send a smartly written note. It's an effective way to extend the conversation and reinforce your message that you're the right person for the job.

I realize that the concept of mailing a handwritten thank-you note after a job interview sounds really old-fashioned.

But I still believe that sending such notes - even to an avatar - conveys more than mere courtesy. It's an effective way to extend... the conversation and reinforce your message that you're the right person for the job.

Not long ago, I thought that sending an emailed thank-you note wasn't good enough.

But lately I've changed my mind because so much has changed, especially for high tech companies that don't acknowledge that handwriting even exists anymore. Heck, most elementary schools don't even teach cursive.

Now I recommend taking a two-step approach: First, send an emailed thank-you note to courteously acknowledge having the interview, closely followed by a handwritten note -- because I'll always believe in the emotional value of handwritten notes.

If you have lousy handwriting, go slow, because a note that's illegible is worse than not sending a note at all. After all, if the recipient can't read what you've written, what's the point?

Remember that an employer will also regard your note as an example of your work. You send me a sloppy note, I'll assume you'd be a sloppy employee.

Be brief. It's a note, not a treatise.

Be specific. Refer to actual elements of a conversation or meeting. Let the recipient know you weren't just listening but that you were also thinking.

Do send thank-you notes to everyone you interviewed with, not just HR.

The fact that several people were either on a panel or met with you privately during the day means they'll likely have input on the decision to hire you or someone else.

If you were interviewed by a robot, surely at least one human who oversees hiring exists in the company. Get a name and send him/her/it a written thank-you note.

You might be the only candidate who takes that extra step.

Too frequently, I get meaningless notes like this:

"Dear Mr. Blair, Thank you so much for the excellent seminar today. I liked your ideas. Thank you again, XXX."

That says nothing except that the sender attended a seminar. I don't know what seminar he's talking about, let alone his notion of "great ideas."

He could hardly be less memorable - except that he said "thank you" twice. Once is enough.

I usually don't remember applicants who don't send thank-you notes, but I'll likely remember those that do, and maybe favorably.

Some examples of actual thank-you notes I've received:

GOOD:

Dear Phil, Thank you for providing great insider tips, suggestions and enthusiasm at the recent Job Search/Skill-Building seminar. You inspired me. Your idea about putting keywords on resumes was particularly enlightening. I appreciate the renewed spirit you bring to all of us "Career Managers" as we search for our next opportunity.

Dear Phil, I wanted to take this moment to express my appreciation for your time and advice last week. It was very good and I have taken it much to heart. I am sure it will help me moving forward.

Love, _____

The merit and demerits of the notes above should be pretty obvious.

In the "good" note, the writer gets straight to the point, specifically mentions an event and something she learned and refers to a key philosophy: We must all proactively manage our careers. I know she paid attention and valued my time.

The "bad" note barely qualifies as a note. The language is too casual, too vague (no reference to when the actual meeting occurred), and insultingly bland.

This person would have been better off not sending a note. Saying something is "interesting" is another way of saying you don't have much to say.

Finally, the "awful" note is too wishy-washy. But where it truly bombs is in the closing. A professional thank-you note is no place for love.

Be careful with your words. Make sure they say what you mean and that you mean what you say.

Thank you for writing. more
2   

  • Ezinna Iroegbu

    2
    6h

    This is a very beautiful suggestion. I have never thought of this before. Thank you, I honestly do appreciate this beautiful tip.

Career development

 18h

AI Has Broken the Hiring Process


I got into human resources and recruiting because I like people. I like hearing their stories, working with them and talking to them. But increasingly I find myself in conversation with computers.

Since ChatGPT was released in 2022, AI has rapidly permeated every corner of life, and job-hunting is no exception. The appeal is obvious. Crafting the perfect cover letter and resumé are challenging... and universally dreaded tasks. It's been beaten into applicants' heads that they must find ways to stand out. This means writing polished and concise prose, incorporating keywords from job descriptions and tailoring each application to the desired position -- exhausting work that AI pulls off in seconds. Combine that with the human propensity for finding shortcuts, a competitive job market and tough economic conditions, and the temptation is hard to resist.

I first noticed the use of AI in job applications in late 2022, while working as a manager at a Sobeys just south of Barrie, Ontario. We received a flood of applications after the pandemic, but many of them felt off. I kept seeing the same quirks over and over again: heavy use of punctuation not typically used by the general population, like em dashes, semicolons and Oxford commas; full sentences instead of bullet points on resumés; and clinical writing styles. They used recruitment buzzwords like "cross-functional," "alignment" and "collaboration." Around one in 10 applications I received during this time sounded the same. Retail always attracts a wide range of personalities, so the uniformity set off alarm bells.

I was disheartened to see applicants taking the easy way out. Worse, it made me question their abilities. If they were enhancing their words, couldn't they embellish their skills as well? As it turns out, yes, they can.

I went on to work in HR for a distribution company. One time, I was hiring for a machine operator at one of our wholesale facilities. I'd vetted and interviewed an applicant who seemed to know their stuff. On the phone, they hit all the buzzwords and knew all the correct terminology. But when they stepped onto the floor for the skills test, it was obvious they had never laid eyes on the machines they'd need to operate. They confessed to having Googled all the terminology and know-how beforehand, so we sent them home. Because they'd regurgitated phrases directly from the machine-licensing manuals, I suspect they'd used AI.

AI's creep into the recruitment process can result in underqualified hires, which is a resource and time suck. For the machine operator, we had to restart the talent hunt from square one: reposting the position on job boards (including paying to re-promote the posting), re-vetting the applications that were submitted and re-interviewing candidates. Whereas we once could take words and sentiments written in cover letters and resumés at face value, we suddenly had to scrutinize all applicants with the skeptical eyes of detectives. AI allows applicants to oversell themselves. And to me, when an applicant uses AI, they are more likely to have weaker critical thinking skills, a habit of taking shortcuts and an absence of sincerity.

AI continues to pose a major obstacle for recruiters like me. Today, I'm an HR business partner for the Canadian steel company Weldco-Beales Manufacturing, where I'm responsible for talent-hunting. Once, I was conducting a phone interview with an applicant who I suspected was using AI in real time. I would ask a question, then they would repeat my inquiry back to me, word for word. Applicants will sometimes repeat parts of questions to give themselves time to craft their answers, but this individual would then answer almost immediately and with the unmistakable lilt of someone who was reading off a screen. To test my suspicion that they were feeding my queries into AI, I pasted the next interview question into Copilot. To my lukewarm surprise, I watched as the applicant gave a response that was nearly identical to the one being generated on my screen.

Just two weeks ago, I sent out a job posting that included screening questions about the role. The idea was to gauge how an applicant thinks and their level of interest in joining our company, but I was deflated when I saw the responses. Many of the submissions had the same generic writing style I've come to know well, and they were all more or less communicating the same ideas. This sort of thing happens all the time and, at the end of the day, simply renders the whole exercise useless.

In the past, an office clerk or welder could have sent me a resumé and been hired the next day. Now, I take extra measures to ensure we're bringing on driven, qualified talent. The resumé and cover letter screening used to be the most important step. Now, the interview performance and skills testing hold more weight. Instead of one interview, most applicants will undergo three rounds of screening, including multi-panel interviews, and we've made in-person interviews mandatory for all applicants before being hired. Skills testing has also been expanded to all roles, including salespeople, office staff and technicians.

So far, the added checks and balances have been fruitful. The more sophisticated the recruitment processes, the longer those hires have stayed on with us. Plus, I sleep better knowing we've covered all our bases. Still, this robust process adds to my workload, uses more resources and draws out the interview process for all applicants. In a world devoid of AI, I wouldn't have to double as an investigator, and qualified applicants wouldn't have to endure such a demanding application process.

We're also investing heavily in developing our own talent via apprenticeship and mentorship programs, job fairs and networking with high schools and trade schools. The goal is to eliminate the guesswork that AI creates and train future employees ourselves. And now, as hiring managers increasingly lean on referrals and existing networks to avoid AI-generated applications, these programs like ours are more vital than ever in helping young workers get their foot in the door.

I'm no luddite. I understand the appeal of AI. But my fear outweighs my excitement. I worry that we're losing the human element that keeps me coming back to work each day and that is essential to the recruiting process. I also worry that AI is teaching us not to think for ourselves. If an applicant lacks the confidence to pull off a phone interview without the help of AI, how can I know they'll be an engaged, driven and growth-oriented employee?

My advice to those on the job hunt is that using AI does more harm than good for your chances of getting a job and ultimately succeeding in that role. On a grander scale, it's wearing down our ability to trust. When the validity of one video, image or job application is called into question, they all are. more

Career development

 19h

US UK Tax Senior


US/UK Tax Senior

You will be joining a forward-thinking practice that values innovation and strategic thinking, providing a supportive work environment with a focus on mentorship and collaboration. The firm is committed to employee well-being and work-life balance.

Opportunity:

- Exceptional career development opportunities

- Comprehensive training programs

- Full study support for ATT and EA... qualifications

- Exposure to a diverse and high-profile client portfolio

Role Description:

- In-depth involvement in both US and UK tax compliance and advisory work

- Preparation of complex personal tax returns for high-net-worth individuals

- Active engagement in client communications, addressing and resolving enquiries

- Assurance of compliance with all filing deadlines and accuracy of tax records

- Collaboration with other departments to provide integrated tax services

Candidate Profile:

- Minimum of 2-3 years of dedicated experience in US/UK tax practices

- Progression towards ATT/EA qualifications, with a strong commitment to complete

- Demonstrated proficiency with advanced tax software and digital tools

- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work cohesively within a team environment

- A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement

Career Advancement:

- Clear pathway to higher roles such as Assistant Manager, based on performance

- Opportunities for professional development through internal and external training sessions

- Access to a global network of tax professionals and industry experts

Interested candidates are invited to submit a detailed CV and cover letter. Applicants should highlight relevant experience and qualifications in relation to US/UK tax. more

Career development

 19h

The Best Ways to Use YouTube for Career Development


In today's fast-paced digital world, YouTube has evolved far beyond entertainment. It has become one of the most powerful platforms for education, professional growth, and career transformation. Whether you're a student, a working professional, or an entrepreneur, YouTube provides a vast library of resources -- from high-quality tutorials and expert interviews to motivational talks and specialized... skill-building content. When used strategically, YouTube can become a personal learning academy, a networking channel, and even a professional showcase.

Below are the most effective ways to leverage YouTube for meaningful career development.

1. Learn Industry-Relevant Skills Through Expert Channels

Thousands of specialized YouTube channels deliver premium content created by industry leaders, trainers, and educators. Whether you want to improve your coding skills, master digital marketing, learn graphic design, or understand financial markets, YouTube has it all.

How this helps:

* Gain foundational and advanced knowledge at no cost.

* Stay updated with latest trends, tools, and technologies.

* Get access to step-by-step tutorials, case studies, and live demonstrations.

Examples of useful categories:

* Technology & coding: freecodecamp, Traversy Media

* Business & entrepreneurship: TED Talks, HubSpot

* Design & creativity: Adobe Creative Cloud, The Futur

* Finance & investing: CNBC Make It, Graham Stephan

2. Build Soft Skills and Personality Development

Soft skills are essential in every profession, and YouTube offers countless resources to help you improve communication, leadership, negotiation, and emotional intelligence.

Benefits include:

* Learning presentation techniques

* Improving public speaking

* Understanding workplace behavior

* Enhancing time management and productivity

Channels focusing on personal development and communication can significantly enhance your professional confidence.

3. Follow Career Coaches and Professional Mentors

Career mentors share insights on job interviews, resume building, corporate culture, remote work opportunities, freelancing, and industry trends.

Why it matters:

Their guidance helps you avoid common mistakes, build a strong professional profile, and prepare for competitive job markets.

Popular content types include:

* Resume improvement tips

* Mock interview sessions

* Career change guidance

* Industry-specific career roadmaps

4. Engage in Live Events, Webinars, and Virtual Workshops

Many experts and companies use YouTube Live to host free webinars, technical workshops, hackathons, and Q&A sessions. These live interactions help you learn directly from professionals and participate in real-time discussions.

Advantages:

* Interact with experts

* Ask questions instantly

* Access recorded sessions anytime

* Network via live chat

5. Build Your Personal Brand by Creating Your Own Channel

Using YouTube as a creator can itself become a powerful career strategy. Sharing your skills, projects, and knowledge can help you build credibility and attract opportunities.

Ways to use YouTube for personal branding:

* Upload tutorials or knowledge videos

* Showcase your portfolio (coding, design, music, photography)

* Share your professional journey or case studies

* Conduct interviews or product reviews

A well-maintained channel can lead to freelance work, job offers, speaking invitations, and collaborations.

6. Study Real-World Case Studies and Business Strategies

Many channels break down real business stories, strategies, marketing campaigns, financial decisions, technological innovations, and startup journeys.

How this helps your career:

* Enhances analytical thinking

* Deepens understanding of industry practices

* Provides practical knowledge often missing in textbooks

These case studies bridge the gap between theory and practice.

7. Stay Updated With Industry News and Trends

YouTube is an excellent place to follow news about technology updates, market trends, new tools, product launches, and industry insights.

Why this is important:

Professionals who remain updated gain a competitive advantage and can make informed decisions about upskilling or career transitions.

8. Build a Professional Network Through YouTube Comments and Communities

Most people overlook the networking potential of YouTube. Many creators actively engage with their audience, answer questions, and form communities.

You can:

* Comment on expert videos

* Join YouTube community discussions

* Connect with like-minded learners

* Participate in creator-led groups, Discords, or workshops

These connections can open doors to mentorship, collaborations, and job opportunities.

9. Use YouTube Playlists as Your Personal Learning Library

You can organize your learning journey by creating playlists for different topics -- coding tutorials, interview preparation, industry analysis, design skills, etc.

Benefits include:

* Structured learning

* Easy access to saved content

* A personalized skill-development roadmap

With consistent effort, you can transform playlists into a long-term study plan.

Conclusion

YouTube has emerged as an incredibly versatile tool for career development. It empowers learners with free knowledge, professional insights, real-world examples, and opportunities to showcase their skills. Whether you are starting your career, aiming for a promotion, or planning a career change, YouTube can help you shape your growth if used with discipline and intention.

By combining curated content, active participation, and even content creation, you can turn YouTube into your own virtual mentor -- guiding you through every phase of your professional journey. more

Career development

 20h

Big Data Reshapes Hiring as Platforms Redefine Labor Signals


The growing use of Big Data in recruitment is reshaping how employers evaluate talent and how workers access job opportunities, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank. As job platforms accumulate millions of data points from digital activity, they are becoming one of the most relevant sources to understand labor markets, offering real-time information that... traditional systems cannot match.

In the podcast "World of Work Show," ILO and World Bank representatives said online job platforms now operate as proxy indicators for skills demand and workforce trends. The discussion explained that this data, when aggregated, allows for new forms of labor analysis while also raising questions about bias, transparency, and how algorithms influence hiring outcomes.

The rise of platform-driven hiring is emerging in parallel with new challenges created by automation, remote work, and AI-generated applications. Employers report receiving large volumes of nearly identical résumés as generative tools make it possible to create "perfect" documents in seconds. This saturation effect creates decision friction, particularly in early screening stages. Aye Kalenok, Founder and CEO, Kala Talent, describes this as the "commoditization" of candidates. "A resume generated by AI in Argentina looks identical to one generated in China," she writes. When differentiation disappears, she argues, companies risk choosing talent based only on cost, mirroring commodity-market behavior.

Recruitment platforms leverage data to address some of these challenges by verifying work history, automating screening, and matching candidates through behavioral signals instead of résumé formatting. In Mexico, ChambasAI has built an employment verification infrastructure targeting operational roles that often lack formal documentation. Max Werner, Founder and CEO, ChambasAI, says that the model emerged from a simple friction point: employers needed a reliable alternative to CVs, and workers needed an easier way to apply. The company built its system on WhatsApp to ensure accessibility, integrating automated matching, pre-interviews, résumé creation, and scheduling. With over 1.1 million registered users, the platform matches workers based on proximity, experience, and verified data rather than polished application materials.

Werner says behavior, not technology, was the biggest challenge in creating a verified employment database. Candidates needed to perceive clear benefits in sharing their history. By positioning the tool as a mechanism to access better work, ChambasAI encouraged voluntary data submission. The company's data also illustrates structural realities in Mexico's labor market, including high turnover in operational roles, short employment durations, and wage levels that influence retention.

While algorithms contribute efficiency, experts warn that data-driven hiring cannot replace cultural alignment or purpose. Camille Rouxel, Country Manager and Partner, 5 Steps Headhunting, argues that evaluating compatibility beyond technical skills is essential, especially for leadership and collaborative roles. She says teams aligned with organizational values show up to 30% higher productivity, citing Deloitte research. Rouxel highlights that even highly skilled employees may underperform if they do not connect with an organization's mission or if the culture does not allow individual values to be expressed. Conscious hiring, she says, requires questioning how candidates will integrate with existing dynamics and whether the company is prepared to adapt to support purpose-driven talent.

The convergence of these trends -- Big Data analytics, AI-generated applications, and the need for purpose alignment -- is redefining both sides of the labor market. For employers, generic job descriptions and repetitive screening processes risk blending into a market where talent expects clarity and fairness. For candidates, the pressure to stand out in an automated ecosystem is shifting differentiation toward authenticity, networking, and demonstrable impact rather than polished documents. Kalenok argues that in saturated markets, visibility itself becomes a form of differentiation, requiring workers to build connections both online and in person.

The ILO and World Bank say that while Big Data can improve market transparency, it must be used in ways that respect worker rights and ensure fair representation. Because digital platforms generate operational and reputational data simultaneously, the technology carries both economic and social responsibilities. The organizations emphasize the need for transparency in algorithms to prevent systemic bias in long-term hiring.

As digital labor signals accumulate, the landscape points toward a hybrid model: data to understand trends and accelerate matching, paired with human evaluation to ensure purpose, culture, and long-term performance. Experts agree that despite the automation of résumés and job posts, the unique value individuals bring to organizations remains the element no algorithm can replicate. more

Career development

 20h

Why Every New Graduate Should Replace Their PDF CV with a Portfolio


I'll be honest... the traditional PDF CV is dying a slow, quiet death.

And it makes sense.

We live in a world where people swipe left on humans faster than they read a two-page résumé. Recruiters make decisions in 7-12 seconds. That's barely enough time to blink, let alone appreciate your "Excellent communication skills."

So here's the truth I wish someone told me earlier:

Every new graduate... should ditch the static PDF CV and build a real, living portfolio instead.

Something that shows your work -- not just states it.

And before you panic: no, you don't need to be a designer or a coder. Tools like online portfolio builder have made it ridiculously easy.

Let's talk about why this shift matters.

When I graduated, I sent the same PDF CV to over 40 companies.

Guess how many replies I received?

Two.

And one was a rejection template so cold it could freeze water.

One night, out of frustration, I made a simple portfolio -- nothing fancy, just some projects, a small intro, and a friendly photo of me trying to look less anxious than I really was. I added it to my applications.

Suddenly?

People started responding.

A hiring manager literally told me, "I felt like I knew you before the interview."

That's what a portfolio does. It gives people a window into your world. Your taste. Your style. Your spark.

Make that window with a clean, scroll-friendly site using an easy portfolio maker and people actually stay long enough to understand you.

Saying "I'm creative" on a CV means nothing.

Showing a project you built, the story behind it, your failures, your fixes -- THAT sticks.

One of my juniors recently shared her portfolio with me. She had no job experience, just a few class assignments. But she wrote tiny blurbs under each one:

Your portfolio doesn't need to be flawless. It needs to feel human. If you're not sure how to organize it, start with templates from a professional portfolio website builder and tweak it as you grow.

Look, recruiters are tired. They skim. They multitask. Sometimes they even review candidates on their phone in the back of an Uber.

I once spoke to a recruiter who said, "If someone sends me a portfolio link instead of a CV, I already like them more."

She didn't mean bias -- it's just that portfolios reduce her work. They give faster clarity.

You can update it monthly. Add new work. Remove weak stuff. Track your own evolution like a diary of growth.

This was the most surprising part for me.

Once I published my portfolio, strangers started reaching out:

I wasn't even trying.

Your portfolio becomes your silent sales agent. It works even when you sleep. Platforms like personal portfolio creator have SEO-friendly pages too, so your name appears in searches faster.

If you're a new graduate, here's my honest opinion:

You don't need to be perfect to be impressive. You just need to be visible.

A PDF hides you.

A portfolio reveals you.

Start simple. Don't overthink the design. Don't wait to "have enough work." Even one project can become a story worth showing. more

Martin Waters


Career development 6d
I’m 25 years old and have been working as a junior manager in a trading company for 4 years. Recently, our internal email said that another department is looking for a new boss. I sent my resume. But HR and the deputy director laughed at me and said I’m too young, even though I’m sure I can do the job.
I feel upset, because we already have some department heads who are 26-27.
Now I don’t know... what to do. Should I stay and wait until I’m older or look for another company that respects young, active workers? Thanks more
9   

  • James Britius Musika

    23h

    Hullo Martin Waters sorry about that, in my culture we have saying going like " even the young can drum and the to old to dance so they would have... given you chance" BUT take heart one day you will be there God as our provider to all.  more

  • J Bruck

    1d

    Shaming you for asking, if they did, would be wrong. However, with all due respect to your goals and achievements, I honestly believe, leadership of a... Dpt. usually requires life experience that most 25 y.o. people lack. Part of it has nothing to to do with performance! I am sure, you will agree in 5 years. I must add, I do not know your company, so there may be exceptions.
    I think, nothing is wrong waiting a few years for a big leadership position. I personally may have difficulties with a very young superior - I experienced one young superior having no understanding for my physical/health issues in a meeting, and shaming me for it.
    I am also asking myself if some of the people whose most important career goal is to climb the ladder are the best choice for leadership positions. Would they care about things like the well being of colleagues, a good work environment, ie. the flourishing of our company *long term* - ie., not only numbers for next quarter for which we get bonusses?     more

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Tumusiime Ezra
Career development 4d
How does everyone deal with Christmas burnout at office? Where every project is calling your name to close it before the year ends!🙄
1   

  • Judith Ongachi

    1d

    l think reach out to those who can't afford like me 😅😅

  • Judith Ongachi

    1d

    l think reach out to those who can't afford like me 😅😅

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Career development

 1d

Cost-Effective Job Portal Build


The project involves creating a clean, budget-friendly web platform that serves two audiences at once -- job seekers who need to upload and update their resumes, and employers who want direct access to that talent pool. All core interactions should be intuitive and fast; visual polish is important, but simplicity and low running costs matter even more. Two account types sit at the heart of the... site: * Job Seekers - sign up, complete a profile, upload multiple résumé versions in PDF or DOCX, and apply to open roles. * Employers - enjoy the following functions right from their dashboard: - Post job listings with rich-text descriptions, salary fields, and expiry dates - Search, filter, and view candidate résumés without friction - Track and manage incoming applications in one place A light, responsive UI (Bootstrap or similar) and a mainstream stack (for example, WordPress + custom plugins, Laravel, or Node/React) are all acceptable as long as they keep maintenance costs low. Please structure the code so that future feature adds -- such as email notifications or payment gateways -- can slot in without rewrites. Deliverable: a fully working site hosted on my test server, complete with user registration, role-based dashboards, and a brief hand-off document outlining deployment and basic admin tasks. more

Career development

 1d

What are the benefits of joining a business membership organization? - The Gonzales Inquirer


What are the benefits of joining a business membership organization?

Businesses and professionals join business membership organizations to network, improve their skills and access exclusive resources. Such organizations facilitate collaboration and encourage innovative ideas, leading to more business and career opportunities.

Membership organizations also serve as industry voices. They... influence industry policies and push certain advocacies forward. The organization serves as a holistic platform for people with a shared purpose, such as professionals within an industry.

While many membership perks are enticing, some organizations benefit you more than others. Certain questions and criteria can tell you which is worth the investment. When choosing the right organization, begin with a specific goal in mind. In this article, Business Consumer Alliance breaks down what memberships can do for you and how you can select the right one.

What Is a Business Membership Organization?

A business membership organization, or business membership association, is a for-profit or nonprofit organization composed of individuals with common goals. These goals may include career advancement, protection of industry interests and increased business visibility. To cater to such goals, organizations often provide relevant resources and organize activities, such as workshops and conferences.

Common examples of business membership organizations include the following.

* Professional associations: Professional associations are comprised of professionals who aim to improve their skills and advocate for their interests. Examples include the American Bar Association for legal professionals and the American Medical Association for medical professionals.

* Trade associations: Trade associations are created by businesses within an industry to set standards, address issues and influence regulatory changes. Examples include the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) for retailers and ASTM International for manufacturers and related industries.

* Educational associations: Educational associations support the education sector, including teachers, students and institutions. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is one example.

* Charitable associations: Charitable associations are nonprofits that support social and philanthropic causes and rely on donations and volunteer activities. Habitat for Humanity is an example.

7 Benefits of Joining a Business Membership Organization

Business membership organizations shape industries. They encourage collaboration and growth, facilitating knowledge transfers from seasoned professionals to those early in their careers. Memberships can also be voluntary or mandatory. The benefits should help you decide whether to join one.

1. Discounted Business Resources and Assistance

With certain memberships, organizations offer discounts and exclusive deals on products and services. You may get:

* Conference discounts that cover the cost of the membership.

* Price deals for office supplies, furniture and equipment.

* Subscriptions for industry-specific software and other productivity suites.

Membership organizations may also offer assistance with business operations, such as marketing, legal, human resources and customer service. For instance, some organizations provide a virtual storefront for your advertisements. Others assist with customer nonpayments.

Organizations can also get funding opportunities. For instance, the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program is a year-long funding program for organizations that increase innovation, research and development, and awards of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) also funds grants for small businesses that research and develop biomedical technology.

An organization can help you secure such grants or look for loans and investors. They may also help you prepare business proposals and other required documents to increase your chances of approval. If you're looking for trusted providers, your organization can also help you out. This lets you rely on firsthand information instead of researching online for testimonials.

2. Networking Opportunities

Networking events are a great way to build relationships with fellow professionals and industry leaders. You can also meet potential partners and get referrals for new clients.

Collaborating with like-minded individuals sparks innovative ideas. This can bring about new business opportunities and enhance your current professional capabilities.

Networking also enables you to find a mentor and gain practical, exclusive insights. You can ask for advice on roadblocks or how to navigate your career. Experts may also share about their previous mistakes and how you can avoid them. In turn, you can share your own experiences and build meaningful long-term connections.

Some business membership associations organize virtual coffee chats where you can connect with fellow members one-on-one. This makes exchanging ideas easier and encourages peer-to-peer support for any issues concerning your profession. Live question-and-answer sessions and leadership roundtables with industry experts also help you get answers to your inquiries. Some organizations may have online member forums for ongoing discussions.

3. Increased Visibility

To increase your visibility and credibility online and in person, an organization may feature your business on its:

* Website or online member directories

* Social media platforms

* Email campaigns

* Press releases

* Local events

Local or industry-specific events get your business in front of customers. This lets you showcase your products or services and receive real-time feedback. Online promotions also increase your audience reach. Membership information on your business website improves customer trust, as it shows that you take your industry practices seriously.

If you're a professional, membership spotlights highlight your contributions and achievements. You may even get recognition awards, potentially opening up new opportunities.

4. Educational Resources, Training and Workshops

Continuing education is essential in upskilling. Business membership organizations provide training, certifications, seminars and workshops where you can improve or learn new, in-demand skills that benefit your career long-term. These trainings expand your knowledge of industry standards. They also help you remain consistent and competitive, especially with the changing industry trends.

Some organizations offer large libraries of online books and audiobooks, so you can grow your skills any time. They may help you learn about the latest trends and challenges and discover in-depth industry insights. For instance, if you're a new business owner, then business education resources are crucial. They can teach you which direction to take your business and help you avoid potentially costly mistakes.

Depending on the organization, you access resources or attend events like:

* Journal subscriptions

* Research papers and case studies

* Email newsletters

* Podcast episodes

* Webinars

* Digital workshops

* Hackathons

* Mentorship programs

5. Résumé Enhancement

Organization memberships in your résumé increase credibility. They show your commitment and proactivity regarding your career development. The new skills and opportunities you gained from the training and conferences also show that you practice what you learn. Being active in your industry demonstrates that you care about its advancement.

Additionally, shifts in the labor market, whether due to technological advancements, economic shifts or green transition, affect job opportunities. According to the World Economic Forum's 2025 Future of Jobs Report, about 92 million jobs will be displaced while 170 million jobs will be created within the decade. Upskilling maintains your competitive edge and makes your résumé attractive to potential employers.

6. Advocacy Support

Business membership organizations have missions or goals. They advocate for their members regarding policies that affect such goals. A strong, collective stance is essential in influencing industry regulations. As such, organizations hear out their members' concerns and take the necessary steps that lead to favorable outcomes. They can also help you build professional relationships with policymakers or government officials.

7. Community Engagement

Joining business membership organizations can help you give back to the community. Through volunteering activities tied to your professional skills, you can share your expertise with those who would benefit from it. For instance, you may get the chance to lead a workshop for students within your industry.

Your organization may also participate in community outreach programs. The organization may partner with other nonprofits and help address local needs. For instance, they may organize charity fundraisers to support causes aligned with their values. This strengthens your shared purpose and extends it outside of your profession.

Joining such events and committees also offers leadership opportunities. They enhance your soft skills that benefit you in your day-to-day job. These activities also encourage more interaction and collaboration, helping you maximize your membership.

Is Joining a Professional Organization Worth It?

Whether it's worth joining a professional organization depends on your goals. Some professionals join multiple organizations if it benefits them, since different organizations cater to different goals. The following questions can determine whether joining is worth it.

1. What's Your Goal for Joining an Organization?

Before you apply to any organization, know what you want to get out of the membership. For instance, maybe you want to further your career. Professional organizations help you build your connections and interact with industry professionals. You also get to build relationships beyond your company and access strategies not available in your close circle.

Maybe you want to get to know your audience better. Trade organizations can help you connect with prospective clients and build out your audience. They also help you understand your customers' pain points and offer better services.

2. Are You Interested in the Organization's Opportunities?

If you're looking to join an organization due to its conferences, maintaining a membership can be worth it. The difference in conference fees between members and nonmembers can be significant. The organization's library with thousands of resources can also make the fee worthwhile. Acquiring similar resources on your own can be costly.

Perhaps you want to make it easier to learn about the latest trends. An organization's newsletter or journals can make it convenient. Maybe your role models are also part of a certain organization. You might learn the insights they know about if you join the same organization.

When making a choice, consider your interests and the membership benefits available in the organization. This encourages you to actively engage in its activities, instead of becoming a passive member when you're paying fees.

3. Is It Mandatory?

Some organization memberships may be mandatory depending on your industry. For instance, you may come across a journal run by professional associations that requires membership to publish or attend conferences. While other memberships are not mandatory, they can still increase your industry credibility.

Joining an organization doesn't have to be a one-time decision. You can always leave voluntary memberships if the organization is not the right fit. To decide if you should stay or leave, consider:

* The amount of time you spend with the organization.

* The referrals and opportunities you get.

* If you're getting something in return for your investment.

A business membership organization can take time away from your personal relationships and hobbies. Consider how much of a time investment you're willing to make that won't sacrifice your happiness and is sustainable in the long term.

How to Select a Business Membership Organization

With the many business membership organizations, developing a criteria list to evaluate the organization can help ensure you're spending your time and money wisely.

* Size: Some organizations are larger than others. Their scope can also be at the regional, national or international level.

* Resources: Consider whether the organization offers industry-specific research, workshops and certifications. Do they offer exclusive content for members?

* Membership structure: Instead of subscription fees, some organizations offer free, tiered, one-time fee, donation-based and event-based membership. The fees you pay may affect the benefits you'll receive. You may also get tax-deductible membership fees.

Grow Your Career With Business Membership Organizations

Business membership organizations support the growth of their members, whether you are a professional or a business owner. They have a mission to serve and protect your interests, so joining one can help you advance your career and play a significant role in shaping your industry. It also lets you:

* Get discounts on business supplies, software and events.

* Network with like-minded professionals in your industry.

* Promote your products and services firsthand with your clients.

* Improve your business visibility online and in person.

* Gain new projects or career opportunities.

* Access educational resources through seminars or online libraries.

* Enhance your résumé with new skills and opportunities.

* Contribute to industry issues that may influence relevant policies.

Given all these benefits, memberships can be worth it. However, some organizations can be a better fit than others. When making a decision, reflect on your goals and how much time and money you're willing to invest. While you can always leave voluntary organizations, it's best to know what you want to get out of the membership before you apply.

This story was produced by Business Consumer Alliance and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. more

Career development

 1d

The college degree was a signal. Now it's just noise


For many parents, these statistics land like a betrayal. They followed the script they were handed, and they urged their children to do the same: work hard, pad the résumé, secure admission, earn the degree. They were assured the payoff would be waiting on the other side. Instead, the very credential that students were promised would open doors for them is now failing even to keep those doors from... closing in their faces.

The promise of the bachelor's degree is faltering, and the public knows it. A new Overton Insights poll shows only 14% of voters believe a four-year degree is always worth its nearly $150,000 average price tag. Degrees once signaled potential. Now, to many employers, they signal little to nothing at all.

For generations, college served as society's default credential, a shorthand for competence, diligence, and upward mobility. But when everyone is told to get a degree, when the government underwrites trillions in loans to guarantee they can, and when universities respond by inflating tuition far faster than wages or value -- all while inflating grades and decreasing educational attainment -- the signal loses clarity. A credential propped up by limitless lending isn't a marker of merit; it's a product with a distorted price. More inputs do not create more value. They dilute it.

Employers have noticed. A survey of 1,000 hiring managers released this spring found that 25% of employers will eliminate bachelor's degree requirements for some roles this year. Seven in 10 now rank relevant experience above degrees in hiring decisions. And among the companies that have already dropped degree requirements, 84% say the change made hiring more effective.

Young adults see it too. A recent study from Tallo found 62% aren't working in the career they intended to pursue. One in four now openly regret going to college at all.

And even when the pipeline "works," it works poorly. One study showed that the majority of recent graduates are underemployed a year after finishing school, working jobs that don't require the degree they spent four years (and often tens of thousands of borrowed dollars) to obtain.

Perhaps parents still cling to the college degree as an ideal societal benchmark because it once served as a map. But the terrain has shifted beyond recognition. The knowledge economy now rewards capability, not ceremony. Practical skill, not parchment. A portfolio, not a transcript.

Increasingly, young adults who bypass the degree are finding more traction than those who collect one. Efforts such as the mikeroweWORKS Foundation promote the trades, a response to high demand. Ford's CEO, for example, indicated that his company has 5,000 open mechanic jobs with six-figure salaries that it is trying to fill. For those not interested in manual labor, programs such as Praxis offer knowledge workers a bootcamp experience to develop practical skills useful to employers while guaranteeing participants a job upon graduation.

Simply put, parents who still assume that "college equals security" are operating on a lagging indicator from another era. The labor market has moved on. The uncomfortable truth is this: Insisting that your children follow the old script does not protect them. It exposes them. It directs them into the very bottleneck where millions of other hopeful graduates now wait, degrees in hand, wondering why no one is acknowledging them.

The degree is no longer the differentiator. It is the default, and defaults do not confer advantage. Parents must stop treating higher education as a moral duty or a rite of passage. It is a purchase, and like any purchase, it deserves scrutiny. Its value must be proven, not presumed. If the numbers tell us anything, it's that the era of automatic returns is over.

The world has changed. The question is whether parents will allow their children to change with it -- or whether they'll push them, lovingly and mistakenly, into a system that promises opportunity while delivering diminishing odds.

The degree once opened doors. Today, it risks locking the next generation out. more
3   

  • Sseluwagi Mulshid

    1d

    My poignant critique of the faltering promise of the bachelor's degree in developed economies strikes at the heart of a global, yet deeply unequal,... crisis. My point is devastatingly correct: In developing countries, the situation is not just "worse"—it is a brutal, two-tiered system where a degree without connections is often little more than an expensive certificate of frustration.

    The Western model I describe—where the degree is a diluted, overpriced default—is exported as an aspirational ideal to the Global South. But there, it collides with my reality of scarce opportunity, entrenched patronage networks, and a vast mismatch between educational output and economic structure. The result is a perfect storm. My final sentence, adapted, rings truer than ever: In developing countries, the degree doesn't just risk locking my generation out. It convinced us to mortgage our future for a key that only fits doors already held open by someone else.     more

  • Jason Sage

    1d

    It's because corporations (HR) diluted the degree b/c they stopped training. When the silent and the boomers got out of college, all they cared about... was a degree; they trained you from there. A LOT of Silicon Valley was built by people with liberal arts degrees. In fact, Silicon Valley would never have happened without those liberal arts degrees. One of the foremost recognized satellite dish makers from the silent generation had a BA in English. Start training and watch this issue go away.  more

Career development

 1d

Expert reveals 6 job hunting trends for 2026 that you can't afford to ignore - TyN Magazine


The UK job market has become increasingly challenging, with competition for roles intensifying. With unemployment sitting at 5.0%, affecting approximately 1.79 million people aged 16 and over, job seekers have to adapt their strategies to succeed in this tougher environment.

Fortunately, business expert Yassin Aberaa, CEO and Founder of Social Market Way, a digital marketing agency specializing... in SEO and lead generation, is revealing the key trends that will dominate job hunting in 2026. She believes that understanding these changes can help candidates position themselves effectively and increase their chances of securing employment in an increasingly selective market.

"The job market in 2026 will require a different approach from job hunters," says Aberaa. "Those who are aware of these trends and adapt accordingly will have a significant advantage over those who continue using outdated job-hunting strategies."

Below, Aberaa outlines the six major trends job seekers should prepare for.

6 Key Trends That Will Rule the Job Market in 2026

Aberaa lists the six key trends below, explaining what each means for job seekers navigating the 2026 market.

1. Slower Hiring and Hiring Freezes

Recent data from summer 2025 shows that only 57% of private-sector employers plan to recruit within the next three months, down from 65% in autumn 2024. This decline signals a significant pullback in hiring activity across industries.

"Fewer new job openings means increased competition," explains Aberaa. "Job seekers must stand out more through their skills, experience, and adaptability. It's no longer enough to simply meet the basic requirements."

2. Rise in Temporary, Freelance and Contingent Work

Latest reports point to a fresh rise in temporary billings while permanent placements continue to fall. The move towards short-term contracts reflects employers' hesitancy to commit to permanent hires amid economic uncertainty.

This trend means more roles may be project-based or fixed-term. Candidates need to be open to contract or freelance positions and manage their career planning with greater flexibility. "The traditional permanent role is becoming less common," Aberaa notes. "Those willing to embrace temporary work will find more opportunities."

3. Growing Demand for Priority-Sector and Future-Fit Skills

Around 14.8 million people are currently employed across 10 priority sectors, representing approximately 45% of the total UK workforce. These sectors include health, green energy, technology, and other future-focused industries.

"Sectors like health, green energy, and tech will likely dominate hiring," says Aberaa. "Job seekers may benefit from upskilling into these areas or focusing on transferable skills that apply across multiple sectors."

4. Increased Competition Among Job Seekers

Youth unemployment remains particularly challenging, with unemployment for 16-24 year-olds sitting at around 15.3%, affecting 702,000 young people. This heightened competition extends across all age groups as more candidates vie for fewer positions.

Younger candidates and recent graduates face tougher odds in this environment. "Differentiators become more important," Aberaa explains. "Work experience, internships, soft skills, and networking can make the difference between securing an interview and being overlooked."

5. Longer Hiring Processes and More Selective Employers

With fewer vacancies and more candidates per role, employers are taking their time to find the perfect fit. Hiring intentions are at historically low levels outside of pandemic times, meaning companies can afford to be highly selective.

"Candidates should prepare for longer waiting times and more rigorous interview processes," says Aberaa. "Multiple application rounds are becoming standard. Patience and persistence are essential."

6. Shift Toward Skills-Based Hiring Over Traditional Credentials

Research covering UK job postings up to mid-2024 shows that demand for roles in AI and green jobs has increased. Notably, formal university-degree requirements are declining in many of these postings, replaced by emphasis on demonstrable skills and experience.

This shift levels the playing field for candidates without elite credentials. "What matters more is concrete skills, certifications, project work, and demonstrable ability," Aberaa states. "Your portfolio and proven capabilities can outweigh your educational background."

Yassin Aberaa, CEO and Founder of Social Market Way, commented:

"Job seekers need to take a proactive approach to navigate these changes successfully. Start by identifying which priority sectors align with your existing skills or interests, then invest time in upskilling through online courses or certifications.

"Build a strong online presence that showcases your work. Whether through a portfolio website, LinkedIn profile, or GitHub repository, demonstrable skills matter more than ever. Network actively, both online and in person, as many roles are filled through connections before they're publicly advertised.

"Stay flexible and open-minded about the types of roles you'll consider. Temporary or freelance positions can provide valuable experience and often lead to permanent opportunities. Finally, prepare thoroughly for longer hiring processes. Keep your CV updated, practise your interview skills, and maintain momentum by applying consistently rather than waiting for responses before submitting new applications."

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Career development

 1d

How To Survive The Holidays While Unemployed


Plus, Americans feel more confident in the job market, top colleges for launching your career and why fewer Santas are getting hired this season in today's Careers newsletter.

It's not just about the difficulty in gathering funds for holiday travel or gifts -- there's added stress about the inevitable awkward conversations that will arise. "So, you're still out of work?" "Why haven't you gotten a... new job yet?" And a favorite among TikTok users: "Have you tried mailing your résumé to so-and-so?" Never mind the reality many job seekers are well aware of: Over 23% of unemployed individuals have been out of work for over 27 weeks as of September, according to the, and white collar workers are looking for jobs for more than 6 months on average.

Increased AI use among both applicants and hiring managers to screen job descriptions and résumés means that simply hitting submit is not an effective way to get a new job.has some advice: Prepare your messaging ahead of time and know when to leave the party. While you might be annoyed by offers to connect with your uncle's best friend's son who works in a tangential industry, the reality is that networking is still the best way to find your new gig.sat down to speak with Katie Fitzgerald to talk all about working in the nonprofit sector during a tough year for the industry, her own journey across organizations, and the best advice she has for professionals of all ages and stages thinking about breaking in. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity. You've been CEO at the Ronald McDonald House Charities for about three years now, but you've had a long career in the nonprofit sector, from Make-A-Wish to Feed America. What made you want to do this type of work in the first place? I'm a social worker by training and I've been in the nonprofit sector my entire professional career. I was very fortunate in the 1970s to grow up in a really diverse community and neighborhood, so I was able to have a lot of different friends and families that I interacted with that were from different socioeconomic levels, religions, races, sort of the gamut. What I noticed as a young adult was how different people's journeys started to look based on the opportunities they had. So I really wanted to be a part of impacting systems and opportunities for kids and families. That's what got me into social work. Since then, that's really been where I've focused my work, which has been at the intersection of all kinds of issues that impact families. Coming to Ronald McDonald House was the culmination of those experiences. Here is a mission that's working with families again. They are diverse families across 60 countries, with all forms of religious faiths, cultural norms and wildly different healthcare systems, but we're all united in helping very vulnerable families through what, I would argue, is probably one of the most difficult times in their lives when their child's gravely ill. So we're providing those comprehensive services, from housing to mental health care, which is what good social work does. Obviously it's a tough time for the sector. For those receiving federal grants, many of those have been cut across the board this year. And even those that rely on private donations are seeing a shift in donation sizes and amounts. What has kept you motivated to stay in this type of work? I'm never lacking motivation. I think if you get into nonprofit work, and for those of us who've been doing it for a long time, it's not easy work. We take on some of humanity's most vexing problems, whether they're family dysfunction, healthcare crises, housing instability, substance abuse, poverty. These are problems that humanity has not been able to solve, and yet we choose to be a part of trying to create solutions. We do positively impact people's lives. So I think if you're in this work, you're kinda wired to not be easily defeated or unmotivated. Now having said that, obviously it ebbs and flows, and it's a particularly challenging time in the nonprofit sector right now. But what keeps us all going is that every day that folks gain a new donor, or they impact a family, they help someone get to sobriety or permanent housing, that fills people's cups. It makes you just wanna do more of it and take on these challenges.You can come into this work from any kind of industry and apply your skills in a really mission-driven environment. We run sophisticated organizations, especially operating across 60 different countries. So we have entire finance, marketing, and communications teams. And I think it's really fulfilling for folks. I talk with people all the time who wanna come into the nonprofit sector because they're looking for that in their experience. They're fulfilled professionally, but they wanna translate those finance skills or those marketing skills or those technology skills into a mission-driven kind of work. What advice, or pitch for the nonprofit sector, do you have for those kinds of people looking for more mission-driven work? You know, people can achieve great heights in their professional career, but yet feel like they're not really making an impact. Oftentimes it's people who are further in their career and are reflecting on their life legacy that start wondering about the change. They're asking themselves: "How have I impacted the world?" or "What besides monetary and financial achievement has my life been about?" I think they're looking to come into the nonprofit sector to know that their life and work made a difference. It's less about just compensation or professional accomplishments, but to feel like they've been about something beyond themselves. But I also think there are a lot of people that just connect with the organization's purpose or might have a personal story or experience that drives them to the mission. It's hugely fulfilling for people.15 schools that are best preparing their students for post-graduate employment . From requiring co-ops and providing internship opportunities to getting access to the latest AI-powered job search tools, these schools areDepartment of LaborAmericans feel more confident about the labor market . The mean probability of losing or quitting a job fell for the second month in a row in November, as did Americans' expectations of higher unemployment, according to theAlison Durkee. The conservative majority revealed they were considering doing so during oral arguments on Monday, though judges also expressed caution over issuing a sweeping opinion.Alicia Park. After rigorous training at the Bolshoi Theater School in Brazil, Lopes Lara hung up her pointe shoes and went on to study computer science at MIT. At age 29, she is now theAccording to LeanIn and McKinsey's latest workplace report, why are women less likely to express interest in promotions?B. Because of decreasing support for women employee resource groups

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Career development

 1d

Monica Matteo-Salinas wins runoff for Miami Beach Commission


Tuesday's runoff sharpened into a choice between two contrasting résumés, platforms and campaign narratives.

City Hall aide Monica Matteo-Salinas just won a four-year term on the Miami Beach Commission, outpacing a better-funded but controversy-laden opponent in a runoff for the panel's Group 1 seat.

With reports from 21 precincts still pending but mail-in and early votes fully tallied,... Matteo-Salinas had more than 72% of the vote to defeat Republican lawyer Monique Pardo Pope.

She'll succeed fellow Democrat Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, who must leave the city's seven-member governing body after an unsuccessful mayoral run.

Tuesday's runoff sharpened into a choice between two contrasting résumés, platforms and campaign narratives, along with late-cycle revelations about Pardo Pope, one of which drew national headlines.

Voters again headed to the polls over the weekend for the second time in just over a month as Miami Beach faces turbulence on multiple fronts, from state scrutiny over finances and charges that a local ordinance conflicts with Florida's homelessness law to the removal of cultural landmarks due to their so-called "woke" significance and accusations of pay-for-play policymaking.

Matteo-Salinas, 46, consolidated establishment support for her campaign, which centered on promises to work on expanding trolley service, increase the city's affordable housing index and establish a new "water czar" position in the city, paid by resort taxes.

She's received endorsements from several local political notables, including Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Beach Commissioners Alex Fernandez, Laura Dominguez and Tanya Bhatt, and former Miami Beach Dan Gelber.

Groups backing her bid include the Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police, LGBTQ groups SAVE Action PAC and Equality Florida Action PAC, and the public safety-focused neighborhood group SOBESafe.

Pardo Pope, 45, centered her messaging on public safety, investing in mental health, backing school choice initiatives, supporting homelessness services, encouraging "smart, thoughtful development" that preserves Miami Beach's character while addressing flooding and roadway congestion, and alleviating cost-of-living issues for longtime residents and first-time homebuyers through "fair taxation."

She touted her guardian ad litem work as evidence of her temperament and commitment to service, but that part of her record came under scrutiny in recent weeks. A review of Pardo Pope's case records with the Miami-Dade Clerk's Office showed her listed as a guardian ad litem in just three cases -- one of which she was discharged from after trying to get the mother in the case jailed.

She was also the subject of negative attention for omitting that her father was the convicted, Nazi-adoring serial killer Manuel Pardo, to whom she wrote several loving social media posts.

Pardo Pope has said she forgave her dad to move forward with her life, asking voters to judge her on her own life and work.

Matteo-Salinas raised about $133,000 and spent $82,000 by Dec. 4. Pardo Pope raised about $190,000 -- of which 29% was self-given -- and spent close to $170,000.

Matteo-Salinas finished first in Miami Beach's General Election last month with 23.2% of the vote. Pardo Pope advanced with 20.1% after narrowly avoiding a recount.

They outpaced four other candidates, but neither captured a large enough share of the vote -- more than 50% -- to win outright. more

Career development

 6d

I'm 47 and quit my job without having anything else lined up. I didn't want to live a life with regrets.


Even though people close to me advised me against quitting, I am excited to pursue meaningful work.

For years, I had wanted to resign from my job as a business school professor at a small private university. Yet I didn't have the courage. My salary was decent, my hours were flexible, and I had friendly coworkers.

From the outside, it made no sense for me to leave my job. I was unhappy, but most... people seem dissatisfied with their work.

With recent news stories about quiet quitting, job-hugging, and significant organizational layoffs, coupled with increased daily living expenses, I knew I should be grateful for employment. As someone who teaches Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change, I knew it was not advisable to leave a job without filling a gap in my résumé by securing another position.

Yet I was unhappy and unfulfilled in my role. When a large round of layoffs occurred over a year ago, many of my peers and friends left the organization, leaving me with an unreasonable workload for one person. In addition, my family had unexpected health issues, and I needed to be more at home.

I got burned out. My work was out of alignment, and my personal values did not align with those of the organization.

I dreamed of flying to another universe on the magical, luck-bringing dragon-like creature from the 1980s movie The NeverEnding Story, or purchasing a ticket to Europe or a beach destination and going on an extended vacation.

Life is short, and many of us are living on autopilot. We dream of retirement, but for most of us, that is many years away. I did not want to look back on my life and have regrets.

So, I quit. When I sent off my resignation letter, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, and it felt so good.

My husband and I figured out our new budget and made some lifestyle adjustments to allow me to re-energize, spend quality time with my family, and figure out my next professional steps.

I have seen many stories of people who quit their jobs and travel the world. While this sounds dreamy, being a mom of three active kids, having a husband with a non-remote job, and older parents I want to support, the Eat, Pray, Love lifestyle was not in the cards for me.

Since I quit, I have been leaning into work and experiences I enjoy. I am writing my next book, have been teaching as an adjunct, earned a new executive coaching certification, and have done some corporate speaking and consulting. I am relaunching my business and am having fun.

My kids and I have also been doing some budget-friendly traveling. I have a 4th grader, and we have been using the Every Kid Outdoors program, sponsored by the National Parks, which gives 4th graders and their families free entry to national parks.

We visited family in California, drove to Yellowstone National Park, and did some amazing hikes. We also took a road trip to Yellowstone National Park, where we saw Old Faithful and learned about the geothermal activity.

I helped my son publish his first children's book, "Tommy the Tap-Dancing T-Rex," which then inspired my older son to finish his book, too.

While I am not yet earning the same amount of money I earned in my salaried job, I am following the energy of what lights me up.

My new office is at the kitchen table. While my workspace may not be glamorous, I appreciate the flexibility to pick up my kids from school and have my dog by my side.

Change can be scary, but sometimes it's the push we need for growth.

I still struggle with career and identity, juggling both professional and personal identities and supporting my family doing work I enjoy, and being in the role of a parent, daughter, and spouse.

I hope quitting was the right move and am trusting that the right opportunities will reveal themselves as long as I keep showing up and putting in consistent action.

We get this one life, so it's up to us to make the most of it. I am redefining my definition of success to include a life well lived, both professionally and personally. more
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Career development

 1d

South Africa's Quiet Revolution: How ONE Internship Scheme Is Quietly Rewiring the Continent's Future - Cape Town Today


South Africa's YES initiative is like a secret weapon for young people to get jobs. It helps 200,000 first-time workers by making companies keep interns and giving them awesome virtual training. Plus, it helps these young people start their own businesses! This amazing program is changing South Africa's future, one job at a time.

The Youth Employment Service (YES) is a South African... public-private initiative that has placed 200,000 first-time workers. It uses B-BBEE incentives to encourage companies to retain interns, provides virtual training environments, and implements procurement clauses to support alumni businesses, effectively rewiring the continent's future by investing in human capital.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent talk at GIBS was not another slideshow of statistics; it was a live dissection of how a single public-private deal has evolved into Africa's biggest real-time laboratory for future-proof growth. The Youth Employment Service has already pushed 200 000 first-time workers through a chain that starts when a youngster uploads a résumé in a township café and can finish, if the stars align, with a robot-arm licence, a cloud-architecture badge or the first purchase order of a brand-new micro-firm.

What makes the figure headline-worthy is not size alone; it is the largely unreported machinery beneath the placements. Ramaphosa used the evening to spotlight five levers that are turning YES from a twelve-month stop-gap into a generational shock absorber for technological disruption.

The story begins with a carrot that bites back: the B-BBEE "float valve". Firms don't simply buy points; they must retain the intern for a full year, upload monthly payroll proof and show that the onsite mentor has passed YES-approved coaching exams. Miss any step and the rating agency automatically docks levels the next year, nudging boards into multi-year cohorts they cannot abandon without public embarrassment.

Early adopter Sibanye-Stillwater has already played the card three cycles in a row, turning 4 200 host slots into a standing talent reservoir from which 68 % of its newest apprentices are now recruited. In effect, the tax code is being used to warehouse human capability until commodity prices recover - an echo of 1930s gold-standard labour hoarding, only today the warehouse is measured in blockchain badges, not underground passes.

Every participant now receives a sandbox login that clones the exact production software of the host plant. BMW's Rosslyn facility has built a virtual X3 line where interns rehearse torque-sequence scripts weeks before they meet a physical bolt. Each mistake in the twin is minted into a micro-credential on the QuantaHR ledger; a woman who calibrated battery-clip tolerances in Tshwane can therefore prove her skill to a recruiter in Tangier without touching her passport. Because the twin lives on Microsoft Azure - part of the R5.4 billion data-centre pledge - there is zero data-localisation drag, a silent killer that still hobbles rival Kenyan and Nigerian youth projects.

The second sleeper hit is YES's off-balance-sheet procurement clause. Any corporate that spends more than R50 million must channel 2 % of addressable procurement to alumni businesses within two years of graduation. Standard Bank's fleet-card unit recently dumped a twenty-year incumbent and handed its national courier contract to YEXco, a parcel house founded by three 2021 alumni. The switch pumped R140 million of invoice finance into a firm that now keeps 212 drivers busy and has opened depots in three provinces. Procurement managers are therefore behaving like venture capitalists, except their investment vehicle is a purchase order rather than a term sheet.

Gender is engineered into the pipeline with the same precision. Fifty-eight per cent of all interns are young women, but YES also negotiates sector-specific "parity uplifts". In SOLAR PV construction - historically 92 % male - four EPC firms agreed to reserve 40 % of intern seats for women and to run overhead-line safety certification in month three instead of month eighteen. The outcome is a standing squad of female turbine technicians ready for deployment without the usual year-and-a-half lag. Eskom's newly announced 3 GW battery-storage build will draw 60 % of its entry-level techs from this pool, a scenario unthinkable half a decade ago when the utility's own training centre listed only two female millwrights.

A little-known insurance wrapper makes the whole edifice civil-unrest-proof. Each placement is denominated in a synthetic "experience unit" underwritten by Old Mutual Insure and two smaller panels. If a host firm goes bust before month twelve, the policy funds the remaining stipend and parks the intern in a new site within thirty days. When Durban burned in July 2021, 1 300 YES recruits were seamlessly shifted to Gauteng distribution hubs, avoiding the CV scar that normally follows street chaos. The instrument is, in essence, a credit-default swap written on youth futures, and it has kept the programme's completion ratio at 86 % even through the sharpest GDP contraction in a century.

Ramaphosa's bigger argument is that YES now behaves like an automatic fiscal stabiliser - except the money comes from corporate balance sheets, not the exhausted public purse. When GDP growth drops below 1 %, graduate intake is historically the first item boards slash; the B-BBEE ratchet, however, makes it cheaper to retain YES interns than to restart hiring two years later. Treasury's early spreadsheet suggests that holding on to 100 000 YES slots during a slump adds 0.3 % to GDP and stops the Gini coefficient from widening by 0.5 points - macro impact that once required an apartheid-era civil-service wage bill, but this time without costing the fiscus a cent.

The biggest cliff is still the thirteenth month, when stipends stop but permanent posts are scarce. YES is testing a "bridge fund" seeded by the Government Employees Pension Fund. GEPF will cover 60 % of a graduate salary for a further year if the firm converts the intern to a full-time post and starts pension contributions. The fund gains first access to a fresh stream of 40-year contributors whose mortality tables are far kinder than those of ageing civil servants, potentially turning YES into a demographic-dividend arbitrage machine that munches away at South Africa's unfunded-liability overhang.

The template is already spilling across borders. Botswana's Ministry of Youth has cloned the YES digital-twin stack for its 10 000-seat "Botho-Jobs" drive, paying licence fees in rough diamonds that are liquidated to buy cloud credits. Namibia is piloting a marine-aquaculture track where alumni farm kelp offshore and flip carbon credits to European airlines. Even Zimbabwe - cash-strapped but lithium-rich - has asked for technical help, offering hard-rock offtake as barter. A Johannesburg CSR talking point is mutating into a regional currency of human-capital exchange, collateralised by nothing more than tamper-proof work records on an Azure ledger.

Back home, State-Owned Entities are being dragooned into the act. Transet has promised 7 000 port and rail internships, but the docks are jammed and the Esselenpark rail school is grid-locked. YES technicians have suggested mounting container-ship simulators on de-commissioned truck chassis and driving them to rural TVET colleges, instantly creating pop-up ports where interns clear virtual cargo. The first unit arrives at Coega in October; if throughput matches the Rosslyn benchmark, Transnet could absorb its entire cohort without pouring a single cubic metre of new concrete.

Then there is the artificial-intelligence elephant. YES interns at Dimension Data are already labelling satellite photos that teach drones to spot copper-cable theft on Transnet lines; the model now pings security within ninety seconds instead of twenty-four hours. Each verified image drops a micro-payment into a digital wallet that can be swapped for AWS credits, giving teenagers an accidental primer in the tokenised gig economy. The long bet is that South Africa's most exportable resource is not gold or sunshine but accurately tagged data produced by under-employed youth. If YES can grab even 5 % of the global AI-training market, the forex receipts would sit in the same league as citrus or wine.

The speech ended without rhetorical fireworks, as if the president already knew that the next chapter will be written in Python, procurement ledgers and insured experience units rather than white papers. The auditorium lights came up; alumni filtered back toward Park Station, lanyards still warm with RFID chips that double as bus tickets and tamper-proof résumés. Outside, the Gautrain's robotic voice announced the next train to Sandton - recorded years ago by a voice artist whose metadata quietly reads: "Former YES Intern, Cohort 1."

The Youth Employment Service (YES) is a South African public-private initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment. It has successfully placed 200,000 first-time workers by utilizing B-BBEE incentives to encourage companies to retain interns, providing advanced virtual training environments, and implementing procurement clauses to support businesses founded by alumni. This comprehensive approach is designed to future-proof South Africa's workforce and foster economic growth by investing in human capital.

The YES initiative uses a B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) "float valve" mechanism. Companies earn B-BBEE points for participating, but they must commit to retaining interns for a full year, submit monthly payroll proof, and ensure on-site mentors pass YES-approved coaching exams. Failure to meet these conditions results in automatic drops in their B-BBEE rating the following year, effectively encouraging long-term commitment to intern retention and development, rather than just short-term point-scoring. more

Career development

 1d

What are the benefits of joining a business membership organization?


What are the benefits of joining a business membership organization?

Businesses and professionals join business membership organizations to network, improve their skills and access exclusive resources. Such organizations facilitate collaboration and encourage innovative ideas, leading to more business and career opportunities.

Membership organizations also serve as industry voices. They... influence industry policies and push certain advocacies forward. The organization serves as a holistic platform for people with a shared purpose, such as professionals within an industry.

While many membership perks are enticing, some organizations benefit you more than others. Certain questions and criteria can tell you which is worth the investment. When choosing the right organization, begin with a specific goal in mind. In this article, Business Consumer Alliance breaks down what memberships can do for you and how you can select the right one.

What Is a Business Membership Organization?

A business membership organization, or business membership association, is a for-profit or nonprofit organization composed of individuals with common goals. These goals may include career advancement, protection of industry interests and increased business visibility. To cater to such goals, organizations often provide relevant resources and organize activities, such as workshops and conferences.

Common examples of business membership organizations include the following.

* Professional associations: Professional associations are comprised of professionals who aim to improve their skills and advocate for their interests. Examples include the American Bar Association for legal professionals and the American Medical Association for medical professionals.

* Trade associations: Trade associations are created by businesses within an industry to set standards, address issues and influence regulatory changes. Examples include the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) for retailers and ASTM International for manufacturers and related industries.

* Educational associations: Educational associations support the education sector, including teachers, students and institutions. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is one example.

* Charitable associations: Charitable associations are nonprofits that support social and philanthropic causes and rely on donations and volunteer activities. Habitat for Humanity is an example.

7 Benefits of Joining a Business Membership Organization

Business membership organizations shape industries. They encourage collaboration and growth, facilitating knowledge transfers from seasoned professionals to those early in their careers. Memberships can also be voluntary or mandatory. The benefits should help you decide whether to join one.

1. Discounted Business Resources and Assistance

With certain memberships, organizations offer discounts and exclusive deals on products and services. You may get:

* Conference discounts that cover the cost of the membership.

* Price deals for office supplies, furniture and equipment.

* Subscriptions for industry-specific software and other productivity suites.

Membership organizations may also offer assistance with business operations, such as marketing, legal, human resources and customer service. For instance, some organizations provide a virtual storefront for your advertisements. Others assist with customer nonpayments.

Organizations can also get funding opportunities. For instance, the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program is a year-long funding program for organizations that increase innovation, research and development, and awards of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) also funds grants for small businesses that research and develop biomedical technology.

An organization can help you secure such grants or look for loans and investors. They may also help you prepare business proposals and other required documents to increase your chances of approval. If you're looking for trusted providers, your organization can also help you out. This lets you rely on firsthand information instead of researching online for testimonials.

2. Networking Opportunities

Networking events are a great way to build relationships with fellow professionals and industry leaders. You can also meet potential partners and get referrals for new clients.

Collaborating with like-minded individuals sparks innovative ideas. This can bring about new business opportunities and enhance your current professional capabilities.

Networking also enables you to find a mentor and gain practical, exclusive insights. You can ask for advice on roadblocks or how to navigate your career. Experts may also share about their previous mistakes and how you can avoid them. In turn, you can share your own experiences and build meaningful long-term connections.

Some business membership associations organize virtual coffee chats where you can connect with fellow members one-on-one. This makes exchanging ideas easier and encourages peer-to-peer support for any issues concerning your profession. Live question-and-answer sessions and leadership roundtables with industry experts also help you get answers to your inquiries. Some organizations may have online member forums for ongoing discussions.

3. Increased Visibility

To increase your visibility and credibility online and in person, an organization may feature your business on its:

* Website or online member directories

* Social media platforms

* Email campaigns

* Press releases

* Local events

Local or industry-specific events get your business in front of customers. This lets you showcase your products or services and receive real-time feedback. Online promotions also increase your audience reach. Membership information on your business website improves customer trust, as it shows that you take your industry practices seriously.

If you're a professional, membership spotlights highlight your contributions and achievements. You may even get recognition awards, potentially opening up new opportunities.

4. Educational Resources, Training and Workshops

Continuing education is essential in upskilling. Business membership organizations provide training, certifications, seminars and workshops where you can improve or learn new, in-demand skills that benefit your career long-term. These trainings expand your knowledge of industry standards. They also help you remain consistent and competitive, especially with the changing industry trends.

Some organizations offer large libraries of online books and audiobooks, so you can grow your skills any time. They may help you learn about the latest trends and challenges and discover in-depth industry insights. For instance, if you're a new business owner, then business education resources are crucial. They can teach you which direction to take your business and help you avoid potentially costly mistakes.

Depending on the organization, you access resources or attend events like:

* Journal subscriptions

* Research papers and case studies

* Email newsletters

* Podcast episodes

* Webinars

* Digital workshops

* Hackathons

* Mentorship programs

5. Résumé Enhancement

Organization memberships in your résumé increase credibility. They show your commitment and proactivity regarding your career development. The new skills and opportunities you gained from the training and conferences also show that you practice what you learn. Being active in your industry demonstrates that you care about its advancement.

Additionally, shifts in the labor market, whether due to technological advancements, economic shifts or green transition, affect job opportunities. According to the World Economic Forum's 2025 Future of Jobs Report, about 92 million jobs will be displaced while 170 million jobs will be created within the decade. Upskilling maintains your competitive edge and makes your résumé attractive to potential employers.

6. Advocacy Support

Business membership organizations have missions or goals. They advocate for their members regarding policies that affect such goals. A strong, collective stance is essential in influencing industry regulations. As such, organizations hear out their members' concerns and take the necessary steps that lead to favorable outcomes. They can also help you build professional relationships with policymakers or government officials.

7. Community Engagement

Joining business membership organizations can help you give back to the community. Through volunteering activities tied to your professional skills, you can share your expertise with those who would benefit from it. For instance, you may get the chance to lead a workshop for students within your industry.

Your organization may also participate in community outreach programs. The organization may partner with other nonprofits and help address local needs. For instance, they may organize charity fundraisers to support causes aligned with their values. This strengthens your shared purpose and extends it outside of your profession.

Joining such events and committees also offers leadership opportunities. They enhance your soft skills that benefit you in your day-to-day job. These activities also encourage more interaction and collaboration, helping you maximize your membership.

Is Joining a Professional Organization Worth It?

Whether it's worth joining a professional organization depends on your goals. Some professionals join multiple organizations if it benefits them, since different organizations cater to different goals. The following questions can determine whether joining is worth it.

1. What's Your Goal for Joining an Organization?

Before you apply to any organization, know what you want to get out of the membership. For instance, maybe you want to further your career. Professional organizations help you build your connections and interact with industry professionals. You also get to build relationships beyond your company and access strategies not available in your close circle.

Maybe you want to get to know your audience better. Trade organizations can help you connect with prospective clients and build out your audience. They also help you understand your customers' pain points and offer better services.

2. Are You Interested in the Organization's Opportunities?

If you're looking to join an organization due to its conferences, maintaining a membership can be worth it. The difference in conference fees between members and nonmembers can be significant. The organization's library with thousands of resources can also make the fee worthwhile. Acquiring similar resources on your own can be costly.

Perhaps you want to make it easier to learn about the latest trends. An organization's newsletter or journals can make it convenient. Maybe your role models are also part of a certain organization. You might learn the insights they know about if you join the same organization.

When making a choice, consider your interests and the membership benefits available in the organization. This encourages you to actively engage in its activities, instead of becoming a passive member when you're paying fees.

3. Is It Mandatory?

Some organization memberships may be mandatory depending on your industry. For instance, you may come across a journal run by professional associations that requires membership to publish or attend conferences. While other memberships are not mandatory, they can still increase your industry credibility.

Joining an organization doesn't have to be a one-time decision. You can always leave voluntary memberships if the organization is not the right fit. To decide if you should stay or leave, consider:

* The amount of time you spend with the organization.

* The referrals and opportunities you get.

* If you're getting something in return for your investment.

A business membership organization can take time away from your personal relationships and hobbies. Consider how much of a time investment you're willing to make that won't sacrifice your happiness and is sustainable in the long term.

How to Select a Business Membership Organization

With the many business membership organizations, developing a criteria list to evaluate the organization can help ensure you're spending your time and money wisely.

* Size: Some organizations are larger than others. Their scope can also be at the regional, national or international level.

* Resources: Consider whether the organization offers industry-specific research, workshops and certifications. Do they offer exclusive content for members?

* Membership structure: Instead of subscription fees, some organizations offer free, tiered, one-time fee, donation-based and event-based membership. The fees you pay may affect the benefits you'll receive. You may also get tax-deductible membership fees.

Grow Your Career With Business Membership Organizations

Business membership organizations support the growth of their members, whether you are a professional or a business owner. They have a mission to serve and protect your interests, so joining one can help you advance your career and play a significant role in shaping your industry. It also lets you:

* Get discounts on business supplies, software and events.

* Network with like-minded professionals in your industry.

* Promote your products and services firsthand with your clients.

* Improve your business visibility online and in person.

* Gain new projects or career opportunities.

* Access educational resources through seminars or online libraries.

* Enhance your résumé with new skills and opportunities.

* Contribute to industry issues that may influence relevant policies.

Given all these benefits, memberships can be worth it. However, some organizations can be a better fit than others. When making a decision, reflect on your goals and how much time and money you're willing to invest. While you can always leave voluntary organizations, it's best to know what you want to get out of the membership before you apply.

This story was produced by Business Consumer Alliance and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. more

Career development

 1d

What are the benefits of joining a business membership organization?


What are the benefits of joining a business membership organization?

Businesses and professionals join business membership organizations to network, improve their skills and access exclusive resources. Such organizations facilitate collaboration and encourage innovative ideas, leading to more business and career opportunities.

Membership organizations also serve as industry voices. They... influence industry policies and push certain advocacies forward. The organization serves as a holistic platform for people with a shared purpose, such as professionals within an industry.

While many membership perks are enticing, some organizations benefit you more than others. Certain questions and criteria can tell you which is worth the investment. When choosing the right organization, begin with a specific goal in mind. In this article, Business Consumer Alliance breaks down what memberships can do for you and how you can select the right one.

What Is a Business Membership Organization?

A business membership organization, or business membership association, is a for-profit or nonprofit organization composed of individuals with common goals. These goals may include career advancement, protection of industry interests and increased business visibility. To cater to such goals, organizations often provide relevant resources and organize activities, such as workshops and conferences.

Common examples of business membership organizations include the following.

Professional associations: Professional associations are comprised of professionals who aim to improve their skills and advocate for their interests. Examples include the American Bar Association for legal professionals and the American Medical Association for medical professionals.Trade associations: Trade associations are created by businesses within an industry to set standards, address issues and influence regulatory changes. Examples include the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) for retailers and ASTM International for manufacturers and related industries.Educational associations: Educational associations support the education sector, including teachers, students and institutions. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is one example.Charitable associations: Charitable associations are nonprofits that support social and philanthropic causes and rely on donations and volunteer activities. Habitat for Humanity is an example.7 Benefits of Joining a Business Membership Organization

Business membership organizations shape industries. They encourage collaboration and growth, facilitating knowledge transfers from seasoned professionals to those early in their careers. Memberships can also be voluntary or mandatory. The benefits should help you decide whether to join one.

1. Discounted Business Resources and Assistance

With certain memberships, organizations offer discounts and exclusive deals on products and services. You may get:

Conference discounts that cover the cost of the membership.Price deals for office supplies, furniture and equipment.Subscriptions for industry-specific software and other productivity suites.

Membership organizations may also offer assistance with business operations, such as marketing, legal, human resources and customer service. For instance, some organizations provide a virtual storefront for your advertisements. Others assist with customer nonpayments.

Organizations can also get funding opportunities. For instance, the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program is a year-long funding program for organizations that increase innovation, research and development, and awards of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) also funds grants for small businesses that research and develop biomedical technology.

An organization can help you secure such grants or look for loans and investors. They may also help you prepare business proposals and other required documents to increase your chances of approval. If you're looking for trusted providers, your organization can also help you out. This lets you rely on firsthand information instead of researching online for testimonials.

2. Networking Opportunities

Networking events are a great way to build relationships with fellow professionals and industry leaders. You can also meet potential partners and get referrals for new clients.

Collaborating with like-minded individuals sparks innovative ideas. This can bring about new business opportunities and enhance your current professional capabilities.

Networking also enables you to find a mentor and gain practical, exclusive insights. You can ask for advice on roadblocks or how to navigate your career. Experts may also share about their previous mistakes and how you can avoid them. In turn, you can share your own experiences and build meaningful long-term connections.

Some business membership associations organize virtual coffee chats where you can connect with fellow members one-on-one. This makes exchanging ideas easier and encourages peer-to-peer support for any issues concerning your profession. Live question-and-answer sessions and leadership roundtables with industry experts also help you get answers to your inquiries. Some organizations may have online member forums for ongoing discussions.

3. Increased Visibility

To increase your visibility and credibility online and in person, an organization may feature your business on its:

Website or online member directoriesSocial media platformsEmail campaignsPress releasesLocal events

Local or industry-specific events get your business in front of customers. This lets you showcase your products or services and receive real-time feedback. Online promotions also increase your audience reach. Membership information on your business website improves customer trust, as it shows that you take your industry practices seriously.

If you're a professional, membership spotlights highlight your contributions and achievements. You may even get recognition awards, potentially opening up new opportunities.

4. Educational Resources, Training and Workshops

Continuing education is essential in upskilling. Business membership organizations provide training, certifications, seminars and workshops where you can improve or learn new, in-demand skills that benefit your career long-term. These trainings expand your knowledge of industry standards. They also help you remain consistent and competitive, especially with the changing industry trends.

Some organizations offer large libraries of online books and audiobooks, so you can grow your skills any time. They may help you learn about the latest trends and challenges and discover in-depth industry insights. For instance, if you're a new business owner, then business education resources are crucial. They can teach you which direction to take your business and help you avoid potentially costly mistakes.

Depending on the organization, you access resources or attend events like:

Journal subscriptionsResearch papers and case studiesEmail newslettersPodcast episodesWebinarsDigital workshopsHackathonsMentorship programs5. Résumé Enhancement

Organization memberships in your résumé increase credibility. They show your commitment and proactivity regarding your career development. The new skills and opportunities you gained from the training and conferences also show that you practice what you learn. Being active in your industry demonstrates that you care about its advancement.

Additionally, shifts in the labor market, whether due to technological advancements, economic shifts or green transition, affect job opportunities. According to the World Economic Forum's 2025 Future of Jobs Report, about 92 million jobs will be displaced while 170 million jobs will be created within the decade. Upskilling maintains your competitive edge and makes your résumé attractive to potential employers.

6. Advocacy Support

Business membership organizations have missions or goals. They advocate for their members regarding policies that affect such goals. A strong, collective stance is essential in influencing industry regulations. As such, organizations hear out their members' concerns and take the necessary steps that lead to favorable outcomes. They can also help you build professional relationships with policymakers or government officials.

7. Community Engagement

Joining business membership organizations can help you give back to the community. Through volunteering activities tied to your professional skills, you can share your expertise with those who would benefit from it. For instance, you may get the chance to lead a workshop for students within your industry.

Your organization may also participate in community outreach programs. The organization may partner with other nonprofits and help address local needs. For instance, they may organize charity fundraisers to support causes aligned with their values. This strengthens your shared purpose and extends it outside of your profession.

Joining such events and committees also offers leadership opportunities. They enhance your soft skills that benefit you in your day-to-day job. These activities also encourage more interaction and collaboration, helping you maximize your membership.

Is Joining a Professional Organization Worth It?

Whether it's worth joining a professional organization depends on your goals. Some professionals join multiple organizations if it benefits them, since different organizations cater to different goals. The following questions can determine whether joining is worth it.

1. What's Your Goal for Joining an Organization?

Before you apply to any organization, know what you want to get out of the membership. For instance, maybe you want to further your career. Professional organizations help you build your connections and interact with industry professionals. You also get to build relationships beyond your company and access strategies not available in your close circle.

Maybe you want to get to know your audience better. Trade organizations can help you connect with prospective clients and build out your audience. They also help you understand your customers' pain points and offer better services.

2. Are You Interested in the Organization's Opportunities?

If you're looking to join an organization due to its conferences, maintaining a membership can be worth it. The difference in conference fees between members and nonmembers can be significant. The organization's library with thousands of resources can also make the fee worthwhile. Acquiring similar resources on your own can be costly.

Perhaps you want to make it easier to learn about the latest trends. An organization's newsletter or journals can make it convenient. Maybe your role models are also part of a certain organization. You might learn the insights they know about if you join the same organization.

When making a choice, consider your interests and the membership benefits available in the organization. This encourages you to actively engage in its activities, instead of becoming a passive member when you're paying fees.

3. Is It Mandatory?

Some organization memberships may be mandatory depending on your industry. For instance, you may come across a journal run by professional associations that requires membership to publish or attend conferences. While other memberships are not mandatory, they can still increase your industry credibility.

Joining an organization doesn't have to be a one-time decision. You can always leave voluntary memberships if the organization is not the right fit. To decide if you should stay or leave, consider:

The amount of time you spend with the organization.The referrals and opportunities you get.If you're getting something in return for your investment.

A business membership organization can take time away from your personal relationships and hobbies. Consider how much of a time investment you're willing to make that won't sacrifice your happiness and is sustainable in the long term.

How to Select a Business Membership Organization

With the many business membership organizations, developing a criteria list to evaluate the organization can help ensure you're spending your time and money wisely.

Size: Some organizations are larger than others. Their scope can also be at the regional, national or international level.Resources: Consider whether the organization offers industry-specific research, workshops and certifications. Do they offer exclusive content for members?Membership structure: Instead of subscription fees, some organizations offer free, tiered, one-time fee, donation-based and event-based membership. The fees you pay may affect the benefits you'll receive. You may also get tax-deductible membership fees.Grow Your Career With Business Membership Organizations

Business membership organizations support the growth of their members, whether you are a professional or a business owner. They have a mission to serve and protect your interests, so joining one can help you advance your career and play a significant role in shaping your industry. It also lets you:

Get discounts on business supplies, software and events.Network with like-minded professionals in your industry.Promote your products and services firsthand with your clients.Improve your business visibility online and in person.Gain new projects or career opportunities.Access educational resources through seminars or online libraries.Enhance your résumé with new skills and opportunities.Contribute to industry issues that may influence relevant policies.

Given all these benefits, memberships can be worth it. However, some organizations can be a better fit than others. When making a decision, reflect on your goals and how much time and money you're willing to invest. While you can always leave voluntary organizations, it's best to know what you want to get out of the membership before you apply.

This story was produced by Business Consumer Alliance and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. more

Career development

 1d

How To Survive The Holidays While Unemployed


This is a published version of Forbes' Careers Newsletter. Click here to subscribe and get it in your inbox every Tuesday.

Visiting family during the holiday season can be stressful for everyone. But for the 7.6 million unemployed Americans (as of September), it can be even harder.

It's not just about the difficulty in gathering funds for holiday travel or gifts -- there's added stress about the... inevitable awkward conversations that will arise. "So, you're still out of work?" "Why haven't you gotten a new job yet?" And a favorite among TikTok users: "Have you tried mailing your résumé to so-and-so?"

Never mind the reality many job seekers are well aware of: Over 23% of unemployed individuals have been out of work for over 27 weeks as of September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and white collar workers are looking for jobs for more than 6 months on average. Increased AI use among both applicants and hiring managers to screen job descriptions and résumés means that simply hitting submit is not an effective way to get a new job.

So for those gearing up for potentially tough conversations during the holidays, contributor Julia Korn has some advice: Prepare your messaging ahead of time and know when to leave the party. While you might be annoyed by offers to connect with your uncle's best friend's son who works in a tangential industry, the reality is that networking is still the best way to find your new gig.

You can read the rest of Korn's six-point plan here.

Hope you have a lovely week, and happy reading!

WORK SMARTER

Practical insights and advice from Forbes staff and contributors to help you succeed in your job, accelerate your career and lead smarter.

What is the career minimalism trend that's gaining popularity with Gen Z?

This is how you elevate "second tier" leaders to create a mentor network.

If your Gen Z employees keep leaving, this is how managers can fix their retention rates.

Earn tips? Here's how you can claim your tips and overtime deductions for the 2025 tax year.

Careers Q&A: Katie Fitzgerald, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities

Transitioning Into The Nonprofit Sector

https://www.forbes.com/sites/aparnarae/2025/12/04/the-invisible-job-crisis-americas-third-largest-employer-is-hemorrhaging-talent/

After a busy giving season, Forbes sat down to speak with Katie Fitzgerald to talk all about working in the nonprofit sector during a tough year for the industry, her own journey across organizations, and the best advice she has for professionals of all ages and stages thinking about breaking in. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

You've been CEO at the Ronald McDonald House Charities for about three years now, but you've had a long career in the nonprofit sector, from Make-A-Wish to Feed America. What made you want to do this type of work in the first place?

I'm a social worker by training and I've been in the nonprofit sector my entire professional career. I was very fortunate in the 1970s to grow up in a really diverse community and neighborhood, so I was able to have a lot of different friends and families that I interacted with that were from different socioeconomic levels, religions, races, sort of the gamut. What I noticed as a young adult was how different people's journeys started to look based on the opportunities they had. So I really wanted to be a part of impacting systems and opportunities for kids and families. That's what got me into social work.

Since then, that's really been where I've focused my work, which has been at the intersection of all kinds of issues that impact families. Coming to Ronald McDonald House was the culmination of those experiences. Here is a mission that's working with families again. They are diverse families across 60 countries, with all forms of religious faiths, cultural norms and wildly different healthcare systems, but we're all united in helping very vulnerable families through what, I would argue, is probably one of the most difficult times in their lives when their child's gravely ill. So we're providing those comprehensive services, from housing to mental health care, which is what good social work does.

Obviously it's a tough time for the sector. For those receiving federal grants, many of those have been cut across the board this year. And even those that rely on private donations are seeing a shift in donation sizes and amounts. What has kept you motivated to stay in this type of work?

I'm never lacking motivation. I think if you get into nonprofit work, and for those of us who've been doing it for a long time, it's not easy work. We take on some of humanity's most vexing problems, whether they're family dysfunction, healthcare crises, housing instability, substance abuse, poverty. These are problems that humanity has not been able to solve, and yet we choose to be a part of trying to create solutions. We do positively impact people's lives. So I think if you're in this work, you're kinda wired to not be easily defeated or unmotivated.

Now having said that, obviously it ebbs and flows, and it's a particularly challenging time in the nonprofit sector right now. But what keeps us all going is that every day that folks gain a new donor, or they impact a family, they help someone get to sobriety or permanent housing, that fills people's cups. It makes you just wanna do more of it and take on these challenges.

From your experience, what drives people to leave their job for one at a nonprofit?

You can come into this work from any kind of industry and apply your skills in a really mission-driven environment. We run sophisticated organizations, especially operating across 60 different countries. So we have entire finance, marketing, and communications teams. And I think it's really fulfilling for folks. I talk with people all the time who wanna come into the nonprofit sector because they're looking for that in their experience. They're fulfilled professionally, but they wanna translate those finance skills or those marketing skills or those technology skills into a mission-driven kind of work.

What advice, or pitch for the nonprofit sector, do you have for those kinds of people looking for more mission-driven work?

You know, people can achieve great heights in their professional career, but yet feel like they're not really making an impact. Oftentimes it's people who are further in their career and are reflecting on their life legacy that start wondering about the change. They're asking themselves: "How have I impacted the world?" or "What besides monetary and financial achievement has my life been about?" I think they're looking to come into the nonprofit sector to know that their life and work made a difference. It's less about just compensation or professional accomplishments, but to feel like they've been about something beyond themselves. But I also think there are a lot of people that just connect with the organization's purpose or might have a personal story or experience that drives them to the mission. It's hugely fulfilling for people.

TOUCH BASE

News from the world of work.

With job prospects dim and AI continuing to grow, college graduates are struggling to find jobs. Forbes searched through its list of Top Colleges to come up with the 15 schools that are best preparing their students for post-graduate employment. From requiring co-ops and providing internship opportunities to getting access to the latest AI-powered job search tools, these schools are providing their students with quality job experience before graduation.

Job openings reached a five-month high in October, according to a delayed release of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which postponed releases during the government shutdown.

Such numbers came on the heels of a three-year low in weekly jobless claims during the week of Thanksgiving, according to the Department of Labor. Planned job cuts also decreased in November after a flurry of mass layoff announcements the month prior, yet private employers shed the most jobs in a single month since 2023, according to ADP.

It's all helping some Americans feel more confident about the labor market. The mean probability of losing or quitting a job fell for the second month in a row in November, as did Americans' expectations of higher unemployment, according to the New York Federal Reserve consumer survey. The probability of finding a new job also increased to 47.3%, up from 46.8% in October.

The Supreme Court appears to be leaning toward allowing President Donald Trump to fire more federal officials, reports Forbes' Alison Durkee. The conservative majority revealed they were considering doing so during oral arguments on Monday, though judges also expressed caution over issuing a sweeping opinion.

Former professional ballerina and now Kalshi cofounder Luana Lopes Lara is now a billionaire, reports Forbes' Alicia Park. After rigorous training at the Bolshoi Theater School in Brazil, Lopes Lara hung up her pointe shoes and went on to study computer science at MIT. At age 29, she is now the youngest woman self-made billionaire.

NUMBER TO NOTE

27%

That's how much requests for Santa appearances are down for one Santa booking agency, according to NPR, as company parties and families looking for at-home visits seek to cut costs this holiday season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTce8jHKz7s

Why Living In Three Different Countries Taught Honeywell CEO More About Leadership Than Holding Different Roles

QUIZ

According to LeanIn and McKinsey's latest workplace report, why are women less likely to express interest in promotions?

A. Because they feel like their companies are not investing in their growth

B. Because of decreasing support for women employee resource groups

C. Because of social media trends like "lazy girl jobs" and "trad-wife" content

D. All of the above

Check if you got it right here. more