The field of technical communication is broad, which means that finding one's career niche can be exciting but also challenging. To aid in this process, students are encouraged to join professional organizations, which usually offer student memberships at reduced rates.
Students benefit from finding out what working professionals in the field are discussing among themselves. The issues explored in an organization's journals and conference papers can provide students with the means of bringing focus to their studies and developing the lifelong learning skills that are essential to professional development.
Professional organizations, like the ones below, offer ongoing opportunities to learn new skills, broaden career horizons, and meet other people with similar career interests. If you visit these organizations' home pages, you may find one or more worth joining.
Multimedia Production and Content Design
Media Communications Association International
Technical Communication
Professional Communication Society,
a technical society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Society for Technical Communication
Association of Teachers of Technical Writing
Web Design
HTML Writers Guild
Public Relations and Marketing
Public Relations Society of America
American Marketing Association
Business Communication
International Association of Business Communicators
Association for Business Communication
Human Resources and Technical Training
International Society for Performance Improvement