British Computer Soceity (BCS)

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Is anyone on this forum a member of the BCS? (apart from ukdarkstar)

The fee of 92.00 pounds for MBCS membership seems ridiculous to me. Why is it so expensive? Thats an annual subscripition for membership aswell....

R there any special benefits of joining them or is it just for the namesake of being part of a 'professional body' ?

- fatp.

 

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Yes I am a member, and it can easily be worth it, although i suggest you try the AMBCS level first, as its only 45 quid (ish i think)

Also you get (not limited too)

Informed about local seminars.
A magazine
Full access to the sites notice boards
Free legal advice
A job search site
A career training planner

And more

 

I think you'll find there are several members on here that are BCS members at one level or another.

I wouldn't say the fee is expensive; it's similar to that for other professional bodies.

As with all these things, you get out of it what you make of it. Speaking from my own experience it has already made a difference with jobhunting. The local meeting I went to on Friday was very good (and there's the chance of networking with other local IT people).

I have been a member of many professional bodies over the years and the BCS is comparable with all of them.

 

Personally I put the cost of the bcs membership alongside the cost of all the books and exams I've bought as well as the technet subscription. As darkstar says (I really must watch that movie again) you get out of it what you put in, but I find that apart from the social benefits it helps point out to people that you are a professional and take your profession very seriously, and wont stop learning new things.

 

I'm not a member, but am (when I get my manager to sit still!) sending in the forms to become MBCS also.
If nothing else, try it for a year, and if its not for you - stop!

Agree with the others - as with anything, you get as much out as you put in.