Professional Associations – Financial Planning
Professional associations are organizations that provide their members opportunities for learning, advocacy, and networking. Their membership is typically comprised of individuals in a particular profession, folks who work in the same industry, or people who share a common identity—similar to the student organization’s here in the College of Business, like Society for Human Resource Management, Real Estate Club, or Latinx Business Association.
Joining a professional association (even as a college student!) provides numerous benefits worth considering.
One of the biggest reasons to join a professional association is to build relationships with people in your industry or role. Connecting to a community of professionals while you’re in college can help you gain career insights, access to possible mentors (many associations have membership directories), and build a foundation of professional contacts that will be helpful as you begin your post-grad career.
Many professional associations have LinkedIn pages or groups you could join, too!
Attending conferences, webinars, and meet-ups hosted by a professional association will allow you to keep up with trends, knowledge, and skills necessary to be successful in your future career. You can dive deeper into niche topics, or even earn a credential, which will set you apart from other soon-to-be graduates. There may even be opportunities to volunteer on a committee or gain leadership experience, which can bolster your resume.
Apart from networking with members and professionals who may have job or internship opportunities to share, many professional associations have job boards (some are open, some require membership to access) or job announcements they send out to members.
As a membership benefit, professional associations may send out a newsletter, industry journal, or provide access to other resources to their members, again providing you the opportunity to learn from other professionals and stay on top of current news and trends.
Some professional associations offer scholarships and funding opportunities to make attending conferences and events, or earning credentials, more financially feasible for students. Associations often offer discounted student membership pricing you can take advantage of, too.
Below is just a sample of professional associations related to the Financial Planning concentration. For a more comprehensive list visit CareerOneStop, linked below, where you can search a database of hundreds of organizations by industry and/or role.
*Check association websites for up-to-date membership information and pricing.
Financial Planning
Professional Associations
Financial Planning Association
Financial Planning Association® is the leading membership organization and trade association for Certified Financial Planner™ professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process. FPA is your partner in planning by helping you realize your vision of professional fulfillment through practice support, learning, advocacy, and networking.
🎓 Discounted student / new professional membership!
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is the country’s leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to the highest level of competency with a client-centered focus, aligning solely with their client’s interests.
🎓 Discounted student membership!
Society of Financial Service Professionals
*Division of NAIFA
NAIFA is the home for professionals who serve a broad array of the American public’s financial services needs. We have grown with the times, joining with the Society of Financial Service Professionals to expand our membership base and secure our position as an industry leader in education and professional development. NAIFA continues as the foremost advocacy association in the insurance and financial services industry.
🎓 Discounted student and new professional memberships!
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification is the standard for financial planning. CFP professionals meet rigorous education, training, and ethical standards, and are committed to serving their clients’ best interests today to prepare them for a more secure tomorrow.
💲 Create an account to access many free resources.
Investments and Wealth Institute
IWI is the partner you need to enhance your skills as a financial advisor, demonstrate your knowledge and ethics—and rise above the competition. We offer premier financial advising and wealth management certifications (CIMA, CPWA, and RMA), empowering you to demonstrate sophisticated capabilities and expertise that deliver visible client value—and build client trust and loyalty.