Are you looking to pivot your career? Consider the field of community association management!
Community association management remains a strong career path in the U.S. and abroad.
As hiring starts to climb back up, there’s no denying a long job road lies ahead. But even in these difficult times, there are bright spots and opportunities for those who formerly worked in the service industries. Community association management is growing and offers excellent potential for professionals who want to continue in a people-facing career.
The Community Associations Institute (CAI) estimates that as of 2018, there are approximately
347,000 community associations in the United States, housing over 73 million residents. That’s 11 million more residents than just a decade ago. One in four people in the U.S. lives in a community association. There are approximately 8,000 community association management companies and up to 55,000 off and on-site community association managers in the U.S. alone.
As the number of people living in community associations increases, so does the number of jobs for community association managers. Community management can be a great career choice if you’re a people person skilled in multitasking.
Career Outlook
Job prospects are excellent, especially for community association managers with a college degree and a professional designation. It’s estimated that up to 26 percent of all ownership housing is in one of the three basic types of community associations. Many new job opportunities will open up for those interested in the field. Others will arise from the need to replace community association managers who transfer, retire, or leave the field. As of May 2019, the
median annual wage for community association managers was just over $58,760. Employment in the industry is
projected to grow seven percent from 2018 to 2028.
CMCA – The Essential Credential
The Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) credential is critical to building a successful career in community association management. It signifies to employers you’re competent in specific management practices and are committed to professional excellence,
ethical business standards, and continuing education. Employers are always looking for dedicated professionals, and the CMCA credential after your name often makes the difference between whether or not you land the all-important first interview.
The CMCA credential is highly accessible:
- It can be achieved with a limited investment of time and money.
- It takes a few days of prerequisite coursework, some study time, and one exam day.
- Its relatively low cost is an excellent investment in your future.
- Earning the CMCA credential opens the door to higher earnings—on average 20 percent more—than non-credentialed community association managers. It is also a great way to build your professional expertise and image.
Is a Certified Manager of Community Associations Career Right for You?
If you were previously employed in a service sector position but were furloughed or had your job eliminated, a career in community association management could be an excellent pivot for you. The work is varied, engaging, and satisfying as you work closely with residents and Board members, visit the community, hire and supervise vendors, interact with community leaders, and so much more.
As a certified manager, you should have a thorough knowledge of the policies of the community association you hope to work for. Attention to detail, flexibility, and good organizational skills are essential characteristics of good community association managers. The best community association managers also have excellent interpersonal skills, can effectively communicate with a diverse range of people, and thrive on multitasking.
An Interactive and Rewarding Career Opportunity
The best parts of life as a community association manager are also built into the job. Not only do you earn a decent living, but you’re constantly learning new things and meeting interesting people from all walks of life. The odds of becoming bored on the job are slim—there are just too many different and exciting things to do!
Community association management is not for everyone, though. You might want to pursue another career if you prefer a more laid-back work life with fixed hours and minimal job-related stress. But if you’re a natural people-person who gets excited about staying up-to-date on things like frequent community management regulatory changes, possess a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards life, and can keep your wits about you when others are stressed, you can’t ask for a more engaging and stimulating career!
Becoming a Certified Manager of Community Associations is not merely a designation; it can lead to the journey of a lifetime. It elevates your credibility as a community association manager and makes employers more confident in hiring you. Finally, it offers you a wealth of opportunity, stability, and growth in an exciting career that shows no sign of slowing down.
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