Why Association Membership Drives Career Outcomes: New 2026 Research

Do people who join a professional association actually get further in their careers? Momentive Software’s 2026 research compared members and non-members to find out.

In this episode of Bring on Better™, host Rich Vallaster talks with Tirrah Switzer, Vice President of Product Marketing at Momentive Software and a newly credentialed CAE. She explains what the study found, why a third-party research partner matters, and what associations should change about how they describe the value of membership.

Key findings from the study:

– 42% of members report being steadily promoted, compared with 23% of non-members. Members also average nearly twice as many promotions at their current company.

– Members show a roughly 20-point gap in feeling comfortable in a leadership role.

– Members are roughly 20 points less likely to feel stressed about money.

– 87% of members say keeping up with the latest technology is important, compared with 66% of non-members.

Questions answered in this episode:

– Do association members get promoted more often than non-members? – Why does comfort in leadership matter as much as the title?
– How does membership build career resilience and a professional safety net?
– Why do members expect their association to help them navigate AI?
– How can associations reach Gen Z and emerging professionals? – Should associations offer micro-credentials?
– How should associations think about non-dues revenue and sunsetting programs?

Download the full research: https://momentivesoftware.com/research-study/membership-report/

Learn more about Momentive Software: https://momentivesoftware.com/

ABOUT BRING ON BETTER™

Bring on Better is the podcast from Momentive Software. Each episode features real conversations with the people behind mission-driven organizations. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Guest: Tirrah Switzer, VP of Product Marketing, Momentive Software Host: Rich Vallaster