How worthwhile is it being a BCS member?

[Ric_]

So... is BCS membershipparticularly worthwhile? If you think it is, is there a particular level of membership that is the minimum worth having?

[russdev]

Well I would say two main benefits for more me are: -

Access to books24x7 and networking opportunities.

Russ

[crc-ict]

I'm an AMBCS. Not sure why though.

I was an AMBCS until the end of last month when renewal came and I decided to jack it in - couldn't see the point of paying out £50 for another year of nothing!

I just didn't find any benefits. No-one took the post-nominals seriously at work because they had no clue what they mean.

[torledo]

I don't want to stray to much from the OP but, those of you who have BCS membership, do you feel that membership is particularly worthwhile? If you do, is there a particular level of membership that is the minimum worth having?

If this Q causes the thread to go OT then I will split it off.

i don't find it to be particularly worthwhile other than being able to put additional letters after you're name.

Their publications are pretty boring.

I suppose joining my local bcs group would have given me the opportunity to 'network'. And i did attend a bcs organised conference that was quite worthwhile.

[torledo]

I was an AMBCS until the end of last month when renewal came and I decided to jack it in - couldn't see the point of paying out £50 for another year of nothing!

I just didn't find any benefits. No-one took the post-nominals seriously at work because they had no clue what they mean.

i agree, i think the bcs is a token organisation for the computing 'industry'.....i think a lot of people don't understand the post-nominals, the accreditations are based on time spent or their CPD scheme. Why waste you're time with their CPD programme when you could be studying for an MCSE or CCNP - something that could actually make a difference to you getting that next job rather than an AMBCS or an MBCS that they might aswell give away with a packet of cornflakes for what they're worth.

I also question whether the computing industry as a whole needs such an organisation - or more to the point who appointed them as such. It's not like the gas industry where corgi registered is extremly significant from a competence and safety standpoint. What does being a MBCS or a CITP actually prove, and can a single body cover the huge spectrum of skills and specialisms in IT....i think not.

There's only a handful of accrediations in IT that are actually worth the paper they're written on and carry a lot of weight with employers. But more importantly can command high salaries, i'd rather try and achieve those than waste my time with the BCS.

[russdev]

But counter argument is you want our jobs to be viewed as professional job and for that we need profession al body. Doctors, teachers, lawyers all have professional body etc.

Russell

[simongrahamuk]

But counter argument is you want our jobs to be viewed as professional job and for that we need profession al body. Doctors, teachers, lawyers all have professional body etc.

Russell

Agreed, which is the sole reason that I signed up as an AMBCS, to say that I belong to a profession.

I don't do the local groups or conferences or anything other than pay up my £50ish each year. Sure I am eligable for MBCS status, but why do I need to go any higher?

[john]

Some of the resources look nice and the discount on books is good

[SpuffMonkey]

But counter argument is you want our jobs to be viewed as professional job and for that we need profession al body. Doctors, teachers, lawyers all have professional body etc.

Russell

Couldn't agree more - and eventually - I think it will have to move that way. It took a few "loss of life" disasters before engineers went that way in 19C - maybe it'll take the same to push computer professionals in the same direction.

Industry lead certification is all well and good - but personally I think there more to running successful IT projects/departments than technical competancy.

[wagnerk]

Industry lead certification is all well and good - but personally I think there more to running successful IT projects/departments than technical competancy.

That's true, just because someone has a BSc or a MCSE, it doesn't mean that they can successfully team lead, manage projects, line manage or get the best deals out there for your dept/company.

And considering that IT is everywhere - medical equipment, airports/planes, military, etc. What's to say that in the future there won't be "loss of life" because something wasn't implemented correctly?

-ken