When to Join Canadian Public Relations Society?

The best time to join the Canadian Public Relations Society depends on your career stage, professional goals, and whether you can actively use member resources. Student memberships offer value at lower cost during education, while professionals typically benefit most when pursuing APR accreditation, seeking leadership roles, or needing industry connections for career advancement.

Understanding the Timing Decision

Joining CPRS isn’t just about whether you work in PR—it’s about strategic timing. The membership fee represents an investment, and like any investment, timing affects your return. A student paying $65 annually gets different value than a mid-career professional paying $500 who needs APR credentials for a promotion.

Your timing decision hinges on three factors: what you need right now, what you’re building toward, and whether you can dedicate time to participate. Membership works best when you have specific reasons to join, not just a vague sense that you “should” belong to a professional association.

The following sections break down timing considerations by career stage and situation. Some professionals should join immediately. Others gain more by waiting and joining when they can maximize the value.

Early Career: Student and New Professional Timing

Student membership offers the clearest timing advantage. At $65 per year, students get access to professional development resources, mentorship programs, and early networking before they need job references. The math works: even attending two events per year typically exceeds the membership cost in value.

Join during your second or third year of a PR program. First-year students often lack context to use the resources effectively. By second year, you understand industry basics and can ask better questions at networking events. Third and fourth-year students benefit from job board access and informational interviews with practicing professionals.

The tricky period hits after graduation. New graduates face a decision: upgrade to professional membership ($500+) or let membership lapse. Here’s where timing gets personal. If you landed a PR job with a title and salary, upgrade immediately—employers respect the commitment. If you’re working adjacent roles or freelancing, consider waiting until you have a clearer PR career path.

Recent graduates working in PR agencies often find employers value CPRS membership when considering promotions. One advantage: your membership signals you’re serious about the profession, not just temporarily working in PR. For those in entry-level roles at corporations, benefits vary—some organizations emphasize internal development over external associations.

Mid-Career Professional Timing (3-10 Years)

Mid-career timing usually connects to specific goals. Most professionals in this bracket join for one of three reasons: pursuing APR designation, expanding their network after a career move, or positioning for leadership roles.

APR pursuit creates natural timing. If you’re ready to meet the designation requirements—typically 5+ years of qualifying experience and demonstrated competency—join at least six months before starting your application. This gives you time to attend workshops, connect with APR mentors, and understand current standards. The designation process takes 8-12 months once started, so factor that into your planning.

Geographic moves also trigger smart joining times. Relocating to a new city for work? Join CPRS in that region within your first three months. Local chapters run monthly events where you meet potential collaborators, learn about regional opportunities, and establish yourself faster than cold networking on LinkedIn. The chapter structure means you’re not just joining a national organization—you’re entering a local professional community.

Career pivots present another timing scenario. Switching from internal communications to agency work? Moving from journalism into corporate PR? Active CPRS membership during the transition year helps bridge the gap. You gain credibility in your new direction while accessing resources specific to your target area.

However, mid-career professionals working in stable positions without immediate growth goals might find limited immediate value. If you’re content in your current role, not seeking APR, and already have a solid network, waiting makes financial sense until your situation changes.

Senior Professional and Leadership Timing

Senior practitioners often join or rejoin CPRS when shifting into mentorship, thought leadership, or board service. After 10+ years in the field, membership value shifts from “what can I get” to “what can I contribute”—though this still offers professional benefits.

Committee and board positions require membership, and these roles enhance your professional profile. If you’re positioning for C-suite roles or wanting to shape industry direction, join at least a year before pursuing board positions. This demonstrates sustained commitment rather than resume-padding.

Speaking opportunities and award eligibility also matter at this level. CPRS conferences feature member speakers preferentially. Industry awards often require membership for nomination. If you’re building a personal brand or seeking recognition that supports consulting work or book launches, membership becomes a platform.

Senior professionals in government or non-profit sectors face different calculations. Budgets in these sectors rarely cover memberships, so personal investment needs clear return. Join when you have specific projects that benefit from CPRS resources—launching a new initiative, facing a reputation challenge, or building a team that needs training resources.

When Waiting Makes More Sense

Not every PR professional benefits from immediate membership. Several scenarios suggest waiting makes strategic sense.

Budget constraints trump forced membership. If $500 strains your budget, delay joining until you can afford it comfortably and participate fully. Struggling to pay the fee means you probably can’t afford conference tickets, workshop fees, or travel to chapter events. Better to wait until you can engage fully than join and feel locked out of the best opportunities.

Geographic isolation reduces value. Living hours from the nearest chapter limits in-person networking. Virtual options exist, but they deliver less value than local engagement. If you’re remote, consider waiting until you relocate or until virtual programming expands to match your needs.

Career uncertainty also suggests waiting. Questioning whether to stay in PR? Considering leaving for a different field? Don’t commit to membership until you clarify your direction. The money serves you better elsewhere if you’re not confident about your PR career path.

Alternative development paths sometimes make more sense. Smaller organizations like local PR clubs offer networking at lower cost. Online communities provide peer support free. Industry-specific associations might fit your niche better than a general PR society. Evaluate alternatives before defaulting to CPRS membership.

Early-career professionals who graduated recently but work in non-PR roles gain little from joining. Wait until you secure a PR position. Membership looks odd on a resume when your job title doesn’t match—it suggests you’re not committed to your current role.

Making Your Decision: A Framework

Start with a simple question: What specific thing do I need in the next 12 months that CPRS membership provides? If you can’t name at least two specific benefits, you’re not ready to join.

Calculate the value equation. List concrete ways you’ll use membership in year one: “Attend 4 networking events,” “Start APR application,” “Access job board during search,” “Get mentorship for career transition.” Estimate the value of each item. If the total significantly exceeds the membership fee, timing works. If you’re stretching to justify it, wait.

Consider your participation capacity. Membership delivers value through participation, not passive holding. Can you attend events? Join committees? Use the resources? If work or personal circumstances limit your engagement to less than 4-6 meaningful touches per year, you’re probably joining too early.

Set clear success metrics for your first year. Define what “worth it” means before you join. Maybe it’s making 3 meaningful connections, learning a new skill, or getting promoted. Without metrics, you can’t evaluate whether the timing was right.

Talk to current members in similar situations. Chapter executives typically respond to emails from prospective members. Ask about their experience, how they use their membership, and whether they’d join again knowing what they know now. Their honest feedback beats marketing materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I join CPRS as a student or wait until I graduate?

Join as a student if you’re in second year or later of a PR program. The $65 fee gives you networking access and job board use when you need references and opportunities. First-year students rarely have context to use resources effectively, but second-year and beyond typically benefit. If you’re not in a PR program or studying part-time while working full-time, evaluate based on your professional needs rather than student status.

How long should I wait between graduation and joining as a professional member?

Wait until you secure a PR position with professional responsibilities. The gap between student membership ($65) and professional membership ($500+) is significant. If you graduate into a PR role, upgrade immediately—it signals commitment. If you’re between jobs or in an adjacent field, wait until your career direction clarifies. Three to six months searching while maintaining student membership is reasonable, but don’t upgrade until you have a clear professional reason.

Do I need CPRS membership to get APR designation?

Yes, you need active CPRS membership to pursue and maintain APR designation. Join at minimum six months before starting your APR application. This gives you time to understand requirements, attend prep workshops, and connect with APR holders who can provide guidance. Don’t wait until you’re ready to apply—build familiarity with the process first.

Is CPRS membership worth it if I work in internal communications, not traditional PR?

Value depends on your specific role and goals. Internal communications professionals pursuing strategic leadership roles often benefit from membership and APR. Those focused on tactical communications work might find less immediate value. Consider joining if you’re: moving toward VP or director level, working on reputation management, or bridging external and internal communications. Skip it if you’re purely focused on employee newsletters and intranet content without strategic components.

Can I join CPRS if I’m between jobs?

Yes, and unemployed professionals sometimes find this strategic timing. Membership maintains your professional identity during transition and provides job board access. However, the cost hits harder when you lack income. If you have severance or savings specifically for professional development, join for the 6-month period you expect to search. If money is tight, use free resources until you land a position, then join to signal your return to the field.

A Final Thought on Timing

Joining a professional association isn’t a binary career requirement—it’s a tool you pick up when you need it. Some PR practitioners build successful careers never joining CPRS, while others find it essential from day one. Your timing decision should feel clear, not forced.

The right time to join is when membership solves a specific problem you currently face or opens a door you’re actively trying to walk through. If you’re joining because someone said you “should” but you can’t articulate why, you’re probably early. Come back when you have a clear reason.

One useful test: If someone asked you tomorrow what you gained from your CPRS membership, could you name something specific within three seconds? If not, either you joined at the wrong time or you’re not participating enough. The membership itself is neutral—its value comes from how and when you use it.