Professional organizations can be a great way to connect with other professionals as well as find postings for positions in your field. Read more about connecting with professionals on our networking page.
Professional organizations, whether you join, participate in functions they sponsor, or explore their websites, can be valuable resources at points throughout your career development. Consider them for career exploration, networking, finding job postings, and for continued professional development.
In many ways, a professional society is an instant network: You’ll be with others who have the same general career interest. Additionally, you may be able to learn more about your field and potential employers from other members. Consider volunteering at or attending an organization’s events. They often offer special discounted rates for volunteers and students. Conferences are a great way to make connections and to learn about important trends and issues that impact your career field.
Professional organizations by field can also be accessed through What Can I Do With a Major In… or What Can I Do With This Major.
Find professional organizations and employment resources applicable to different School of Education disciplines under each section. Links are researched by the Career Center, but the Career Center is not responsible for the content or postings.
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Communication Sciences & Disorders
- The American Academy of Audiology includes a list of job opportunities.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association features comprehensive resources including job postings, current research, and information about career development and certification.
- Audiology Foundation of America features resources about private practice and considerations for pursuing graduate education in audiology.
- The Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders features job postings, scholarships, and information on how to apply to multiple graduate programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
- The Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Association features job postings and professional development resources.
Employment
- The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It features job opportunities surrounding research in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language.
- WECAN is an online posting and hiring system used by more than 500 Wisconsin K-12 schools and districts.
Counseling
Professional Organizations
- American Counseling Association is the world’s largest association representing professional counselors practicing in a variety of settings. Site includes CTOnline, the online news source for professional counselors, and employment classifieds.
- American Psychological Association (APA), the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, offers a job posting site, PsycCareers.
- American School Counselor Association provides professional development, publications and other resources, research and advocacy to more than 26,000 professional school counselors around the globe.
- American College Personnel Association is a leading comprehensive student affairs association and features job postings for positions in higher education.
- National Association of Colleges and Employers is the leading source of information on the employment of the college educated. The professional association connects more than 5,200 college career services professionals at nearly 2,000 colleges and universities nationwide.
- NASPA, an organization committed to student affairs, has career resources and a national job placement exchange that takes place at their annual conference.
Employment
Community Counseling Positions
- Idealist.org features extensive helpful resources regarding nonprofit careers, job postings, internships, and a nonprofit locator to help you find any charity in the U.S.
- Opportunity Knocks provides non-profit job postings.
Higher Education Positions
- Academic360.com is a meta-collection of Internet resources that have been gathered for the academic job hunter.
- The Chronicle of Higher Education’s job posting site for administrative and faculty positions.
- Higheredjobs.com showcases a variety of staff and faculty positions in the higher education system.
Health Promotion-Health Equity
Professional Organizations
- National Institute for Fitness and Sport is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing human health & fitness and athletic performance through research, education & services.
- National Institutes of Health posts job opportunities and internships.
- Society of Health and Physical Educators, the largest organization of professionals in health and physical education, is committed to advancing research and professional practice. Professional development opportunities, educational resources, and current research publications are available.
- American Occupational Therapy Association represents occupational therapy practitioners and students and works to improve the quality of occupational therapy services.
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals who are committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, advocacy, and education.
- Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) is the professional organization for all accredited Public Health programs. It promotes Public Health education and research and provides resources for prospective and current students.
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents 90,000 physical therapists (PTs), physical therapist assistants (PTAs), and students of physical therapy. APTA’s goal to improve the health and quality of life of individuals in society.
- American School Health Association (ASHA) is a multidisciplinary organization made up of administrators, counselors, dietitians, nutritionists, health educators, physical educators, psychologists, school health coordinators, school nurses, school physicians, and social workers. ASHA leads efforts to promote lifelong health, build a community to support the whole child, and activate champions of school health.
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) represents 25,000+ school psychologists, graduate students, and related professionals and works to advance effective practices to improve students’ learning, behavior, and mental health.
- Association of Child Life Professionals establishes and maintains professional standards, enhances the professional growth and development of members, and advances credibility by fostering research and promoting the standards of child life practice on a national and international level.
- National Commission for Health Education Credentialing provides information and resources on how to become a certified health education specialist leading to increased employment opportunities.
- Learn How to Become features information about careers in sports, strategies for getting involved in those careers, and resources for finding internships and jobs.
Employment
- National Institute of Health has a wealth of job opportunities and internships related to health.
- National Institute of Fitness and Sport offers 14-week internships to provide practical experience to students studying within the health/fitness field.
- Explore Health Careers provides a job search tool for the field of healthcare with filters to focus your search. Goal is to build a stronger health care workforce by providing easy access to career descriptions that inspire and motivate students to find health careers that suit them.
- UW Health provides opportunities for shadowing, internships, and part-time employment and offers entry level experiences for students entering healthcare professions.
- YMCA of the USA publishes vacancies at Ys across the U.S. YMCA of Dane County provides relevant opportunities that include personal training, instructing fitness classes, education, and coaching.
- Wisconsin Health Corps, an AmeriCorps program, is run in conjunction with the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association and the Wisconsin Public Health Association . It places individuals interested in public health in community-based, health-focused organizations across the state. Members serve 1700 hours over a one year commitment as community health workers.
- American Public Health Association offers internships for undergraduate and graduate students in global health, environmental health, public health policy, school health education, government relations, and more.
- Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) manages a Health Equity Internship Program with support from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Over 800 interns have been placed in federal, state and local health departments, community-based organizations and health-related agencies. The internship program allows career exploration under the mentorship of public health professionals.
- Madison School and Community Recreation provides strong internship experiences in youth and adult sports, fitness, community centers, specialized recreation/inclusion, community outreach, etc.
- Idealist and WorkforGood are nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping candidates find opportunities working in a nonprofit organization.
- University Recreation and Wellbeing at UW provides strong internship opportunities for the summer and academic year in settings related to the health and well-being of students.
Kinesiology
Professional Organizations
- Aerobic Fitness Association of America provides resources and services for health and fitness professionals.
- American College of Sports Medicine provides career webinars, certification information, and job openings.
- The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the national professional association established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy and to improve the quality of occupational therapy services.
- American Physical Therapy Association site includes job listings, continuing education courses, industry projections, legislative rulings, and advocacy. Membership required for some features.
- The International College of Applied Kinesiology is a non profit interprofessional organization dedicated to advance manual muscle testing as a system of diagnosis for evaluating areas of dysfunction within the body.
- Learn How to Become features information about different types of careers in sports, strategies for getting involved in those careers, and resources for finding internships and jobs.
- National Athletic Trainers’ Association has information about the profession, certification, and jobs viewable to members.
- National Strength and Conditioning Association advances research and training for those in the athletics and fitness industry. Their site offers a job board as well as articles and videos about the field.
- SHAPE America, the largest organization of professionals in health and physical education, is committed to advancing research and professional practice. Professional development opportunities, educational resources, and current research publications are available.
- Wisconsin Health and Physical Education is an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting health enhancing lifestyles. Professional development opportunities and resources are available for health and physical educators.
- Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association lists job postings and has resources about the profession of occupational therapy.
- Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association provides job listings, information on injuries and exercise, conference schedule, news in physical therapy, etc.
Employment
- CESAjobs.org – Wisconsin’s largest employer of school specialty positions featuring jobs available at WI CESAs.
- Conney Safety Products is a nationwide distributor of safety and first aid supplies, located in Madison.
- Cooper Institute, a nonprofit organization committed to preventive medicine, offers internships and employment.
- Johnson & Johnson features a scope of opportunities as broad as the global markeplace they serve.
- The Market is the NCAA’s job site for positions in college athletics.
- National Institute for Fitness and Sport is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing human health and fitness, and athletic performance through research, education, and services and offers employment and internship opportunities.
- National Institutes of Health has a wealth of job opportunities and internships.
- UW-Extension shows a list of available opportunities through its office.
- WorkInSports.com is a fee-based job site for the sports industry.
- YMCA of the USA publishes vacancies at Ys across the United States.
Rehabilitation Psychology
Professional Organizations
- American Counseling Association is the world’s largest association representing professional counselors practicing in a variety of settings. Site includes CTOnline, the online news source for professional counselors, and employment classifieds.
- The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the national professional association established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy and to improve the quality of occupational therapy services.
- American Physical Therapy Association site includes job listings, continuing education courses, industry projections, legislative rulings, and advocacy. Membership required for some features.
- American Psychological Association (APA), the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, offers a job posting site, PsycCareers.
- The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. The CRCC sets the standard for quality rehabilitation counseling services through its internationally recognized certification program.
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is an association of educators who are committed to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities.
- The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) is a national membership organization dedicated to meeting the needs of special education teachers and those preparing for the field of special education teaching.
- National Council of Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) is composed of professional educators who are dedicated to quality services for individuals with disabilities. Their organization has a job board and an academic journal.
- National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials is a centralized resource for the development, collection, dissemination, and utilization of training materials for the Vocational Rehabilitation profession.
- Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association site includes a listing of relevant job search links.
- Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association provides job listings, information on injuries and exercise, conference schedule, news in physical therapy, etc.
Employment Resources
- Easter Seals, an organization dedicated to providing services and outreach for individuals with a disability, features job postings for the organization across the country.
- Goodwill offers opportunities to work for the nonprofit, which assists individuals through community programs and employment services.
- Idealist is a job positing site that includes a multitude of jobs in nonprofits or social impact careers.
- WECAN is an online posting and hiring system used by more than 500 Wisconsin K-12 schools and districts.
- Wisconsin Association of Family and Children’s Agencies (WAFCA) includes links to member human services programs throughout Wisconsin.
- Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education Department features a listing of organizations where students have completed internships.