“You get a chance to bounce ideas off of people you don’t necessarily have within your company,” says Jennifer Vassil, the Fiber Broadband Association’s Vice President of Membership. Vassil is speaking about the many opportunities for FBA members to contribute to the association’s work in furthering its fiber deployment and usage goals.
With over 625 member companies, the FBA provides a platform for employees at all levels to grow through active participation in committees, working groups, and board roles. These opportunities allow members to collaborate across roles and organizations, producing valuable resources like webinars, whitepapers, and research reports.
Vassil emphasizes the unique value of in-person events like Fiber Connect, which bring together diverse professionals to exchange ideas and spark innovation. These interactions fuel personal and professional growth. In turn, this enables members to bring fresh perspectives back to their communities, benefiting local institutions and driving broader societal impact.
She urges HR departments to integrate association involvement into employee onboarding and professional development. Vassil encourages companies to allocate time to participate in such organizations. This can inspire employees and enhance their contributions to their organizations, as well as benefit the communities they serve.
Interview Highlights
- 00:48 – Industry associations that require member participation, such as the Fiber Broadband Association and the Broadband Forum, offer opportunities for the employee members to grow in their careers. Through work in committees, working groups, and board positions, there are many projects where an individual can learn.
- 02:44 – This benefits members’ staff who are often the only person in a particular role at their company, as it allows them to network and learn from their peers.
- 04:05 – The FBA facilitates mixing of cultures and helps break down the silos that often occur in different functions across a company.
- 05:45 – Participants bring what they learn back to their communities. It strengthens their abilities to be local leaders.
- 07:03 – HR departments should encourage association participation as it provides an excellent career development path.