Membership Has Its Benefits: These Professional Networks May Be Exactly What Your Career Needs
Magnet Media, Inc.
We use data + storytelling to tell stories that matter on behalf of brands.
Private social clubs saw renewed interest in membership the last two years as isolated individuals sought outlets for mingling during the pandemic. With many businesses deciding not to return to offices, professionals at critical moments in their careers also turned to private groups to foster connections. As many have experienced, sitting in front of a computer on Slack and email doesn’t offer the same career breaks and supportive relationships many of us found in the face-to-face workplace or at industry events. And senior and executive-level leaders may find themselves stymied as they seek to grow their networks.
The desire to interact with peers is so strong that private professional clubs are now seeing a huge influx of interest, which can make joining their ranks more competitive. But if you're looking to take your work relationships offline, here are some to consider.
“I believe that women are over mentored and under sponsored,” says the WIE Suite founder Dee Poku. “The key to your success is in the power of your network and the actions they take on your behalf." With that in mind, Poku founded the WIE Network, a conference featuring eminent female leaders in all industries. In 2021, the WIE Suite grew from that network to offer female executives and advancing VPs guidance and support on their professional journey. The WIE Suite members include the designer Rebecca Minkoff, Bon Appetit editor-in-chief Dawn Davis, and Girls Who Code founder Reshma Saujani. Through its customized peer groups, curated salons, and masterclasses, the group positions women leaders to advance gender equality.
Only 41 of Fortune 500 companies have female CEOs . With a series B investment of $100 million just this year , there’s even investor consensus that this clubhouse for female powerhouses is tapping into a broad need. CHIEF seeks to strengthen representation at the highest levels of business by creating professional growth, support, and networking opportunities for women in C-suite, senior executive, and rising VP roles. Founded in 2019, the club currently has a waitlist of over 60,000 and richly furnished clubhouses in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. Members come from Disney, Cartier, Nike, HBO, Google, Walmart–just about any major company–and startups of note, specifically in technology.
Begun before World War I, the Executives' Club of Chicago has a rich history of adapting to the changing world while preparing its leaders. The Windy City is also home to 37 Fortune 500 companies (Walgreens, Molson Coors, Exelon, McDonald’s), and Exec Club unites the senior leaders of many of them through industry-specific forums, in-person events, and mentorship initiatives. The invite-only club also boasts a podcast (The Executive’s Exchange), the nation’s largest peer-to-peer leadership program, and an Enterprise membership for organizations that want to tap into the club’s network to develop their teams.
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AllBright’s sisterhood started in London in March 2018. Another community aimed at aspiring women, men are nevertheless welcome and encouraged to join the cause and club. AllBright is open to professionals at all levels and stages in their careers. The physical club is only in the Mayfair area of London, but AllBright has a suite of online benefits available to its digital members across the globe, including in-person networking events, its Academy of courses taught by member experts, and even reciprocal clubs in places like Stockholm, Budapest, and Dubai. Always looking to the future, AllBright is one of the few networking clubs involved with the metaverse, preparing their global community for Web3.
With 70 of the world’s top companies (Amazon, Citi Bank, Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Nasdaq, among them) counted among its members, Out Leadership seeks to create equality in business and industry by providing organizations, 300-plus CEOs, and over 4,000 senior leaders across five continents access to summits, leadership programs, and insights “to realize the positive business impacts of inclusion.” Although this LGBT+ network is for supporting businesses, individuals from those organizations can be sponsored in OutNext and Out Women, talent accelerator initiatives to bolster diversity and inclusion at the top levels.
Many flex workspaces became popular hubs during the pandemic. Some went beyond just offering cold brew on tap to becoming professional oases for the shut-in remote worker. None gained the clout of the culture mavens like NeueHouse. From their beautiful vintage space in New York’s Madison Square, to their modern and lively NeueHouse Hollywood, or the stunning architecture of their Bradbury building in Downtown Los Angeles, NeueHouse’s member-only clubhouses admit and cater to top tech innovators and creative leaders. With in-house programming like a panel on the metaverse featuring Liam Young, Refik Anadol, and Space Popular or Frieze Week conversations in both LA and New York, the creative class finds plenty of opportunities to grow their professional networks while gathering inspiration.
What to consider when joining a professional club:
I. Does it represent your values? Some clubs really are old boy's clubs. Consider if the group is catering to a diverse membership. Even if they need to broaden their member roster representation, you might inquire whether they are making efforts to do so–perhaps that can be an area for your involvement.
II. Does the club require a company or individual sponsorship? Many clubs ask for a company or individual endorsement. While it can be intimidating and a hassle, it can also lead to a more welcoming reception. Members expect prospects to reach out to them. And if approached, many companies will recognize the value of sponsoring their employee's involvement in the larger business community.
III. Will you participate enough to make any dues worthwhile? Are you a joiner? While it might seem like a good thing to put on your resume, being a club member does usually come with an expectation of involvement. Think about your financial investment, too. There are other ways to get involved in your community that doesn't involve financial commitments, like volunteering and mentorship.
Magnet Media is a global brand studio that uses storytelling and data to drive measurable business results. Our team is made up of world-class strategists and creative thinkers who use our THINK / MAKE / REACH process to develop a marketing strategy, world-class content, and go-to-market distribution strategies for our clients. Much of our work starts with video storytelling and is distributed across all platforms—appearing in the top media outlets, shared by influential community members, and rising to the top of the search rankings. Recently we've produced award-winning campaigns for clients like Google, Adobe, Chase, Goldman Sachs, Airbnb, IBM, CitiGroup, Carbon, The TED Talks, Politico, Blackrock, TIAA, YouTube, MIT Tech Press, and more.