AEJMC is a professional organization for educators and students in the mass communication sector of the communications career field. Their mission is to maintain high standards of journalistic and mass communication education, helping to create the best future professionals and a “better informed public” (Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (a), 2011). Members enjoy network contacts and free subscriptions to the associations many publications, including the bimonthly newsletter announcing coveted job openings in the field. AEJMC also hosts an annual professional development conference to which its members are invited. Also available to members is an invitation to join various subdivision groups which provide additional benefits.
PRSA is organized and maintained primarily as a professional development organization for the Public Relations sector of the broad communications career field. They also accept as college and university students in public relations majors and extracurricular activities as members. They try to uphold high standards for public relations professionals, particularly ethics. They attempt to broadcast a greater understanding of the public relations field, as well as continually train and develop their professional members. As a member, one can enjoy the organization’s vast professional network and public recognition for outstanding achievements among the profession. There are a number of continuing education programs available, as well as professional trainings and conferences. Members of the society benefit from lifetime job search assistance, not only through networking, but through the website and career advice library.
AMCP’s primary concern is hosting competitions in various media in order to award public recognition, grants, and awards to various communication professionals. Membership is automatic upon entering one of their announced contests. Benefits vary according to the individual competition, but may include scholarships for continuing education, research grants, and the fellowship of the organization. Members are given rights to use the organization’s copyrighted logo in publications. I would consider joining this organization depending on the type of competition they are hosting at the time. Winners receive special recognition and the specified prize for that competition. Such recognition would be impressive on an entry-level resume.
LACP maintains discussion forums for professionals to discuss their best work and provides public recognition for deserving professionals. Members receive a monthly newsletter SPIN, which highlights tips and resources for best practice. Additional benefits include email announcements about upcoming competitions for various awards, and online subscriptions to various exclusive research databases. They also receive a free subscription to the league’s publication, PR Scope. Members can submit work proposals or campaign ideas to LACP for review and evaluation before pitching to clients or employers, in order to perfect their performance. I would consider joining this organization because I like the idea of having a professional sounding board available. Such a benefit can provide the boost necessary for an entry-level employee to be promoted quickly within a company. 
IABC members come from all kinds of backgrounds, education levels, and careers within the communications field. IABC is an association catering primarily to networking a vast array of communications professionals in order to help its members, including freelancers, find jobs, clients, or professional services that may be provided by another member. They provide a number of discussion board areas on various topics for members to communicate with one another. Members also enjoy exclusive access to IABC’s online research library as well as online professional development classes, free subscriptions to IABC’s publication Communication World Magazine, and public recognition for outstanding performance. Unique to IABC, so far as I have seen, is the exclusive use by members and member-company employees of Club Quarters, a string of private hotels in 8 international cities. I would consider joining this organization because the benefits appear to outweigh the costs of membership. As an entry-level employment candidate, there can be no value put on networking, and the perks (Club Quarters) are amazing.
These are only a few of the available organizations a communications professional can join. Some offer membership to students and unemployed professionals. Some cater to communication among professionals, others to recognition and professional development. Becoming a member of a variety of organizations seems to be the entry-level professionals best shot at reaping the benefits of the years of experience of communications professionals already in the field.
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (a) (2011). About. Retrieved March 20, 2011 from http://www.aejmc.com/home/about/
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (b) (2011). AEJMC Membership Benefits. Retrieved March 20, 2011 from http://www.aejmc.com/home/2010/03/aejmc-membership-benefits/
Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (2009) About AMCP. Retrieved March 20, 2011 from http://amcpros.com/about.php
International Association of Business Communicators (2011). About IABC. Retrieved March 20, 2011 from http://www.iabc.com/about/
League of American Communications Professionals (2011). What is LACP? Retrieved March 20, 2011 from http://www.lacp.com/aboutus.htm
Public Relations Society of America (2011). About PRSA. Retrieved March 20, 2011 from http://www.prsa.org/AboutPRSA/?utm_source=prsa_website&utm_medium=masthead&utm_campaign=about_prsa_nav