Membership of various Associations ---are they beneficial

[Dr Prajakta Deshpande]

Is it worth investing in a membership of the various associations like AMWA,AMWA,EMWA,IMWA.
How does it benefit?
How far are the education program/workshops offered by them helpful to both amateur &experienced people?
Do these education prog hold any value on the resume?
Does being a member help in Job search?
Does anyone have a realistic experience.Please respond.

[Joseph Kim, MD, MPH]

It's valuable from a networking perspective. Also, if you wish to be part of a directory/freelance list, then it can yield benefits there. Perhaps the most value comes in attending the large annual meetings (like the Alliance for CME or AMWA) where you can learn and network.

[G. P. Cuppan]

Yes memberships in associations can prove to be of great value. Before joining any association, I counsel you to first determine what you want to gain principally from the association membership. Is it to further education, general networking, job connections, industry knowledge? As you'd expect, different associations will provide you with different opportunities. I want to mention a few other associations that I find to be very useful.
RAPS; Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (an excellent group for networking and knowledge if your interests headtowards regulatory writing)
STC; Society of Technical Commmunication (best group I know when it comes to considering tools and practices for complex data driven documentation. They also have the best publications.)
DIA; Drug Information Association (best for networking becasue the association is HUGE. Look at the Medical Writing SIAC [special interest group] as a really good platform for networking)
SOCRA; Society of Clinical Research Associates (there is lot more to medical writing than just study reports. This group will help you learn more about the conduct of clinical trials and expectations for authoring other documents like Investigator Brochures and Study Protocols)