What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? Four compelling reasons to be an association manager. By Hamlet Vazquez, MCAM-HR
W
hat do you want to be when you grow up? Such is the familiar question asked
of every youngster. I can assure you that the
“Those who are happiest are those who
response of ‘An Association Manager’ has
do the most for others.”
yet to cross the lips of any such youngster.
― Booker T. Washington
Most respond with, ‘Doctor’ or ‘Firefighter’ or ‘Veterinarian’ or ‘Teacher’. Why is that? What is
First of all, there’s actually a significant way
it about these professions that makes them so
in which our profession overlaps that of a
attractive to a child? Aside from them being all
doctor, firefighter, veterinarian and teacher.
very visible professions, they are also very easily
I’m sure you know what that is–at the core of
understood. It’s clear what they all do–they
our profession is the fact that it’s about helping
help sick people, put out fires, help sick pets,
others. It’s about caring for people and for
and …. teach. But when it comes to Association
the things that matter to them. Each day as
Management, what is it that we exactly do? And
Association Managers we are confronted with a
why would anyone want to do this for life, right?
wealth of opportunities to help others. Whether you are a portfolio manager or an onsite
As one ponders our profession though, there
manager or part of the support team at the
are actually four very compelling reasons for
corporate office, the opportunities are endless
becoming an Association Manager:
to help others.
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