Community for the Win: How Joining a Professional Community Can Help Solve Individual Challenges

A popular quote states, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" by Helen Keller.

Have you ever considered investing in your personal and collective development by joining a professional community? In today's interconnected world, where technology is advancing rapidly and remote or hybrid work is becoming increasingly prevalent, the concept of professional communities is gaining momentum. According to research by GWI, 76% of internet users participate in an online community.

These communities provide users with a sense of self-confidence, validation, and reduced intimidation.

What is a professional community?

Professional communities are groups of professionals in similar fields that aim to improve their work practices and learn from each other. These communities are available for nearly every type of job imaginable, and they can be a great resource throughout an individual's professional life. These communities can assist individuals in achieving their career goals and have a significant impact on one’s profession. Oftentimes, professional communities organize conferences, offer mentorship or training, and discuss industry issues. Over time, these practices can serve as a critical form of support and guidance for individuals, leaving a mark on entire professions.

Ready to see how a professional community can expand your network? Click here

What are the main benefits of professional communities??

So, you were wondering what are the benefits of joining a professional community? Some of the most important ones are:

1. Expand your network, genuinely

The thing is, networking can be pretty challenging to do consistently and regularly. We've heard it a million times — you have to grow your network! Easier said than done, right? According to a survey, less than half of the people (48% ) claim that they consistently stay in touch with their network, while 25% admit that they don't network at all.

And we all know that networking is important these days, as research shows that 70% of jobs are never posted and 85% are filled through networking.

Joining a professional community can give you access to a diverse network of peers from different backgrounds. It can provide you a wide range of business perspectives as well as opportunities to network right at your fingertips. And the best thing is those connections are genuinely based on common interests and goals, and the shared experiences of attending community events and participating in community discussions. This can lead to innovation, diverse thinking, and new connections.?

2. A support network

Being a part of a community gives you an opportunity to form a support network with people who share your interests and experiences. Whether you turn to your community to commiserate, or seek advice, having a supportive group in your life can have a powerful effect on your overall well-being.?

Ready to see how a professional community can expand your network? Click here

3. Professional development

As a member of a community, you have the potential to contribute to its growth and performance. Whether you attend an event or connect with someone individually, you are likely to learn something new when you engage with other community members. This presents an opportunity to exchange ideas with peers and receive exclusive insights from industry leaders. All in all, you'll have more confidence in yourself as a professional with the added support from your peers and leaders in the community.

4. Opportunities to fast-track your success

Reaching the top of our profession can be a challenging and time-consuming journey. However, joining a professional community can help you accelerate your progress by introducing you to people who can help you discover new opportunities. For instance, by joining a community, you may meet your future manager who sees your potential, a mentor who can guide you in your career path, or find job listings before they're made public.

4. A sense of purpose

With a secure sense of belonging comes a sense of purpose, something people are increasingly searching for after the pandemic. Belonging and purpose can help increase feelings of solidarity and fulfillment, which can be important both personally and professionally.

When it comes to the benefits of professional communities the following logic can also be applied: Through such communities, you can expect reduced stress levels, new sources of inspiration and ideas, a better perspective on decision-making, improved communication skills, and even new opportunities for your career.

We understand the importance of professional communities, and that's why we've created one. We believe that with the help of our community, we can find better opportunities and connect with like-minded individuals who share the same interests and goals. Our community is not only about professional development, but it's also about having fun and building relationships with others.?

"In my professional journey, I have never reached my goals on my own. I have always received support from someone, whether it was a teammate, a manager, or even a former academic peer. Opportunities have always come through people, which is why I strongly believe in the power of communities. That's why I wanted to create a community for developers in Romania." says Gabriel Dinc?, Managing Partner at WE AS WEB Bucharest

If you want to join a community of developers, we invite you to become a part of our online and offline community. Click here to join and start interacting with other industry experts, attend events, and grow in a supportive and friendly environment.?