---
title: "Data: Why Generations Join?"
id: "11101"
type: "post"
slug: "data-why-generations-join"
published_at: "2017-03-13T04:00:00+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-15T02:49:32+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/03/13/data-why-generations-join/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/03/13/data-why-generations-join.md"
excerpt: "When it comes to the benefits that professionals seek from associations, preferences change with age. A recent study of association members from software firm Abila found that jobs, training, and career advancement rate highest for younger members, while those in..."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Career Development"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "ASAEcenter"
  - "careers"
  - "Membership"
  - "Membership Recruitment & Retention"
  - "Professional Development"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Association CEO / Executive Director"
  - "Director"
  - "Executive Team"
  - "Manager"
  - "VP"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Association Professionals"
---

[Home](https://associationsnow.com/)
 » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/)
 » Data: Why Generations Join?

When it comes to the benefits that professionals seek from associations, preferences change with age. A recent study of association members from software firm Abila found that jobs, training, and career advancement rate highest for younger members, while those in older generations value more good-of-the-order benefits.

### Millennials

1981-1998

Job Opportunities

50%

Code of Ethics

47%

Credentials

46%

Training

46%

Networking

43%

---

### Gen Xers

1965-1980

Industry Info

50%

Code of Ethics

48%

Credentials

47%

Networking

46%

Job Opportunities

46%

---

### Boomers

1946-1964

Code of Ethics

48%

Industry Info

47%

Raising Awareness

37%

Credentials

36%

Networking

36%

---

### Matures

1945 or earlier

Code of Ethics

48%

Industry Info

45%

Credentials

33%

Raising Awareness

33%

Socializing

30%

*Source: Abila, “Member Engagement Study: Aligning Organization Strategy With What Matters Most to Members”*

Tags: [#careers](https://associationsnow.com/tag/careers/)
 [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/)
 [#Membership Recruitment & Retention](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership-recruitment-retention/)
 [#Professional Development](https://associationsnow.com/tag/professional-development/)

**Stay Informed**

[Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/)
, *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day.

## You Might Like

- [VideoLaurie Gussak Shares Her CAE JourneyOctober 26, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/10/26/laurie-gussak-shares-her-cae-journey/)
- [ArticleBeyond Attendance: How Learning Drives Mission ImpactMarch 9, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/03/09/beyond-attendance-how-learning-drives-mission-impact/)
- [VideoLisa Rackstraw Shares Her CAE JourneyOctober 26, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/10/26/lisa-rackstraw-shares-her-cae-journey/)
- [VideoDeb Callahan Shares Her CAE JourneyOctober 26, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/10/26/deb-callahan-shares-her-cae-journey/)

## Comments

**Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/)

[Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2017%2F03%2F13%2Fdata-why-generations-join%2F%23comments)
 to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/)
!