ABSTRACT
Professional organizations, also called professional associations or professional societies, serve a specific job field or industry, the individuals engaged in that field or industry, or the public interest in that field or industry. These organizations vary in size and scope, with some organizations relying completely on volunteer efforts and others with thousands of employees and multi-billion-dollar budgets. The way the professional organizations serve their constituents also vary, including membership, certifications, regulations, and advocacy.
Professional organizations, regardless of tax status, engage in education at some level. That education may be targeted at the public, the membership, or other stakeholders. Regardless, there are many positions within the professional organization that would benefit from a candidate with a background in adult education.
Some roles within professional organizations are learning and certification leaders/trainers, as well as Vice President, Associate Executive Director, or Chief Learning Officer. This chapter discusses competencies such as curriculum development for both professional development and continuing education. In addition, competencies necessary for these positions include standards development, needs assessments, objective development, test creation, and continual evaluation of the industry and changing landscape.
