Top 5 Business Organizations for Business Students

Why Business Students Should Join a Business Organization

In this article, we’re going to feature five of the best business organizations for students. We chose these business organizations for their prestige and benefits. Then, we’ll also discuss the steps in joining and maximizing your membership.

Of course, it’s up to you whether you want to join a business organization or not. Doing so, after all, means adding more responsibilities to your full plate. Juggling your academics, extracurriculars, and other commitments isn’t easy.

When you consider the benefits of joining business organizations, you’ll take it on. Here’s a preview of these benefits.

• Gain practical experience in your future career. You’ll gain practical skills that support your theoretical knowledge.
• Get access to members-only resources. You can enjoy webinars and career development tools, among others.
• Find your mentor, be it a peer or an industry leader. You’ll get valuable industry insights and inspiration.
• Boost your resume’s attractiveness. Your active participation demonstrates your initiative and leadership skills.
• Expand your network through workshops, conferences, and seminars. Your network is key to your job prospects and career growth.
• Become eligible for financial aid, including scholarships and grants. Your college costs won’t be as burdensome.
• Develop your skills and get a head start on your professional development. You’ll have access to professional development programs.
• Get a head start on your job prospects through career services. Your membership benefits can include job placement services and resume reviews.
• Gain exposure to the latest industry trends. Your business understanding won’t be limited to books.

Start your search for the best business organizations for college students ASAP. Do it on your orientation day or the first day of classes. Either way, the earlier you start, the earlier you can enjoy these benefits.

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What to Look for in a Business Organization

But with so many choices, you can feel overwhelmed in choosing the right organization. Arizona State University, for example, has about 20 student business organizations.

Fortunately, it’s easier than you think when choosing the right one for you. Here are the factors you should consider in doing so.

Membership benefits

Ask about the membership benefits that you can enjoy. The best benefits include scholarships and grants, mentorship, and career development. Many organizations also offer professional certifications.

Membership fees and other costs

Determine if the benefits are worth the membership fees and other costs. Access to job boards, exclusive events, and other useful resources makes it worthwhile.

Networking opportunities

Networking for business students is as valuable as gold, so to speak. This is because networking can improve your job prospects and career growth. The more extensive and supportive your network, the better for you.

Ask about the networking events usually organized by business organizations. Better yet, join professional business associations for students. These offer industry connections that enable students to enter the industry before graduation.

Academic learning resources and professional development services

Look into online courses, workshops, guides, industry reports, and leadership training. These not only support your academics but also promote your professional development.

Then, you must assess which of these organizations align with your career goals. Here’s how you can do it.

• Read and understand the organization’s mission, vision, and focus. Determine if these align with your goals and values.
• Attend a pre-membership meeting. Ask relevant questions about its leadership structure, programs, and membership benefits.
• Ask former and current members, if possible, about their experiences.
• Determine the organization’s industry recognition and reputation. Being a member of a prestigious organization can improve your career growth.
• Ask about the time commitment and level of engagement expected.

In the end, the right choice will only remain so when you maximize your membership. Being an active member is a must. This way, you can enjoy the membership benefits and give back to the organization.

Top 5 Business Organizations for Business Students

Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS)

Also known as the International Business Honor Society, BGS recognizes top-performing business students. Applicants must be students of AACSB-accredited business schools to qualify. You must also be in the 10% of undergraduate business students to be considered.

BGS is also an  Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) member. Both AACSB and ACHS are the gold standards in their respective industries. As such, your membership in BGS can open doors of opportunities.

Besides, being in an honor society is a badge of honor in itself among college students. Suffice it to say that BGS emphasizes academic excellence among its members.

Members can also connect with fellow members from over 600 chapters in 190+ countries. Even if you’ve graduated from college, you can still be an active member. You can join the networking groups and alumni chapters, too.

Check out its Ethical Leadership Certification Program. You’ll learn the skills to become an ethical leader through six modules.

Then, there are also internship and volunteer opportunities. GMAT/GRE and application fee waivers and testing discounts are available. Post-graduation special discounts for professional development, laptops, and rentals are also available.

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

If you want to build your leadership skills, consider FBLA. You’ll also compete in business challenges that will build your business acumen.

FBLA is a prestigious student organization that prepares students for successful business careers. Members engage in academic competitions and leadership development training.

FBLA also offers educational programs to its 230,000-plus members. You can apply for collegiate scholarships, too.

There are three divisions based on the members’ educational levels. The Middle School and High School divisions are for grades 5-9 and high school students, respectively. The Collegiate level supports college students in their business studies.

Enactus

The name “Enactus” comes from the combination of:

• Entrepreneurial (i.e., promoting business innovation)
• Action – (i.e., experiencing the social impact of social enterprise)
• Us – (i.e., collaborations among students and academic and business leaders)

In short, Enactus emphasizes entrepreneurial action for social good. The global organization has members from 1,000-plus campus programs in 33 countries. If you decide to be a member, you’ll have a global network of peers and leaders.

Enactus supports social entrepreneurship among college students by organizing competitions. Every year, network countries organize national competitions. Here, teams of students showcase their work and its impact on society. Then, national winners compete in the Enactus World Cup.

Every year, the teams produce more than 1,600 team projects. The impact isn’t only on the college students and their business and leadership skills. These team projects also have a social impact that highlights Enactus’ mission.

American Marketing Association (AMA) for Students

If you’re a marketing student, it makes sense to join AMA. Here, you’ll find a wide range of networking and professional development opportunities.

The American Marketing Association (AMA) is in itself a professional organization for marketing professionals. There are more than 30,000 members across 76 professional associations.

AMA is also open to college students in marketing and related programs. You can avail of the Collegiate Membership program and access its benefits.

These benefits will enrich your marketing studies and career:

• Connect with your peers and marketing professionals across 320-plus collegiate chapters.
• Access exclusive educational resources that boost your academic success. Toolkits, webinars, and playbooks are available.
• Enjoy digital access to AMA journals and other industry publications.
• Get special discounts on conferences, certifications, and training programs.
• Take part in competitions and awards.

There’s an annual due for members as well as local chapter fees.

Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA)

Established in 1972, ALPFA is the country’s first national Latino professional association. Today, it has more than 100,000 Latino professionals and students as members. 

If you’re a member, you’ll enjoy these membership benefits.

• Take part in seminars, workshops, and conferences to develop your career skills.
• Expand your network of peers and industry professionals.
• Find a mentor and thrive in your studies and career.
• Use the Career Center to get a head start on your job search.
• Apply for scholarships and fellowships.

Note that the scholarships cover the tuition of eligible members. Applicants must be aware of the selective selection process.

How to Join a Business Organization as a College Student

You’ve already determined which of the many business organizations you want to join. There may be some hesitation in your mind because, well, there’s uncertainty in the unknown.

But don’t be hesitant. You’ll find that these steps on how to join a business organization in college make it easier.

• Check the membership requirements first. You should know these requirements when doing your research about the organizations. These can include being in a business-related program, minimum GPA, and leadership experience.
• Ask about the application fees and membership dues. You want to ensure that these costs are within your budget and you’ll get the best value.
• Follow the membership application process. You may have to apply online or in person, submit the required documents, and pay the fees. The application documents usually include a completed application form, letters of recommendation, and personal statement.

Once you’re a member, you should strive to be an active one. Attend the events such as career fairs, workshops, and seminars. Take part in planning, if necessary. Volunteer your time and talents.

On another note, you can find on-campus and virtual business organizations. Keep these steps in mind when doing so.

• Check with the student affairs office or your college’s business department. Ask for a list of business organizations and their offices and contact information.
• Ask your professors, academic advisors, peers, and upperclassmen for information. Talk to them about their recommendations and experiences.
• Communicate with the on-campus and virtual business organizations.

Afterwards, you can make your choice among these organizations. Yes, you can join a business organization while also being active in other student groups. But remember that you only have one body, so make wise choices.

Benefits of Joining a Business Organization

Here are more benefits of joining a business organization as a college student. But we must emphasize that it shouldn’t be just any business organization. You should choose from among the top student business groups to enjoy these benefits.

When you choose the best business organization, you’re getting the best resources, too.

Networking and career growth

These organizations offer excellent business student networking opportunities in many ways. You’ll connect with your peers, professors, and industry leaders through:

• Professional networking events, such as industry panels, career fairs, and networking mixers.
• Industry conferences that feature guest speakers, workshops, and networking sessions.
• Mentorship programs where students gain career and industry insights from experienced professionals.
• Alumni connections that enable students to expand their network.

Studies have shown, too, that networking boosts career growth.

Scholarships and internship opportunities

Scholarships for business students are always welcome, especially among students with modest means. A business degree costs between $11,260 and $41,540/year (2023-2024). Many business organizations offer financial aid including scholarships for their members.

Members can also access internship programs in business organizations. You can, for example, do so as a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma. An internship can be your ticket to employment after graduation.

You can also take full advantage of career development for business students. These include career resources and job placement services.

Skill development

The best business organizations offer skill development opportunities through:

• Leadership training programs
• Public speaking and communication workshops
• Hands-on business experiences (e.g., entrepreneurship projects, case competitions, and consulting projects)

With all these benefits, it’s no wonder that business organizations are a hit.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Business Organization for You

In conclusion, you must explore your choices in business organizations. The benefits outweigh the cost and challenges of membership, too. Your return on investment is in excellent networking, skill development, and scholarship opportunities.

These opportunities are just that—opportunities. Your job is to take advantage of these opportunities for your professional success.