Would you join a Professional IT Association? Eg the BCS or the IET 2026 Edition

[Kitkatninja]

Hi All,

 

I know that back in 2023 (yes 3 years ago), I asked a similar questions. But I'm looking for a more up to date snapshot of our sector (IT).

 

Would you join a professional association, eg the BCS, IET, etc...? Are you a member?

 

Do you see a need for it? Or don't you see a need for it? Is it too expensive?

 

The reason why I'm asking this again is for my own private studies, so if you could give your views, that would be great 

 

Thanks

 

p.s. not counting organisations like the Comptia or ISC2 - because they are linked with technical certifications that you have to purchase in order to keep your certs live

 

[Zammo]

No, they offer poor value for money in my experience

[mikes]

TBH I've heard of them barely but know nothing about them. My issue is; do these prove competence? Or is it something you can buy to stick on a CV that nobody will ever ask about ? And I wouldn't want to jump through Doctor like hoops unless I was making Doctor like money

[synaesthesia]

I signed up with BCS a few years ago - I think it was RITTech? I can't remember what it entailed but it certainly didn't offer anything useful. Didn't have it longer than a year.

[paulkerton]

I’ve always considered these organisations to be the IT equivalent of the Freemasons, really. Only they have the added bonus that membership doesn't grease the palms or open doors in quite the same way. You pay the fees, but the 'inner circle' perks never seem to materialise.

But you get some letters after your name that no one will pay attention to, and everyone will cringe at if you use em, so there is that. 

[psydii]

I was a member of ACM for a while - at the time it was a steal with the base subscription $100 getting you access to a vast library including Safari Bookshelf.  It's not as good now, and I think you get PluralSight  as a paid add on instead. 

[sigma]

Me no, though back in the 80's before they pulled the ladder up, almost anyone could join the BCS, so perhaps I should have done then when I first started in IT.

 

Other half is an IET Fellow.  Most of these institution memberships are tax deductable.

 

In unrelated news I am a memeber of the Ri, which has been fun, but like the Tufty Club (for those of you old enough to remember), its just an application of £.

[admars]

I had forgotten all about the BCS, I remember many many years ago I had an IT manager who joined and was very keen for us underlings to join, and from what I remember, we couldn't get a clear answer about why we should apart from "it looks good".

 

I think that fact I haven't heard it mentioned in over 20 years, or heard of the others probably says quite a lot about their relevance.

 

I guess if you pay to join and do go to the talks and presentations they may be interesting now and again, but I guess the relevance of that sort of thing has declined a lot.

[garethEds]

Despite teaching CS and ICT for 27 years, and having a technical side during that whole time, I've never felt the need, despite there being a strong BCS regional setup here in Swansea. I couldn't tell you what they offer or how it may have benefited me over the years. A quick Google search did bring this document:

 

PowerPoint Presentation

 

G

 

 

[DrCheese]

Never got the point. "Horray, I can put MBCS after my name" - Brilliant, you've just told me that you've paid money to an organisation & they've given you that in return.

It doesn't feel like anything has been earned, like an actual qualification.

 

Feels similar to all the award organisations that IT suppliers pay money towards, and then give them 1st prize...

 

[garethEds]

8 minutes ago, DrCheese said:

Never got the point. "Horray, I can put MBCS after my name" - Brilliant, you've just told me that you've paid money to an organisation & they've given you that in return.

It doesn't feel like anything has been earned, like an actual qualification.

 

Feels similar to all the award organisations that IT suppliers pay money towards, and then give them 1st prize...

 

 

Almost like an IronMan tattoo.