Thinking about BCS membership but unsure of which level to apply for

Discussion in 'Professional Associations' started by JK2447, May 24, 2009.

  1. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Just look over the SFiA and let me know what you think :)

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
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  2. Josiahb

    Josiahb Gigabyte Poster

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    The BCS wasn't an organisation I'd looked into that much but their professional examinations look like they could benefit me, does anyone have experience of these at all?

    I'm certainly in favour of any organisation giving IT professionals the recognition they deserve, membership will definitely be on the cards for me (I think my current level of experience and education only puts me at AMBCS level at the moment).
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, MCDST, ACA – Mac Integration 10.10
  3. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    While I haven't sat any ISEB/BCS specific exams, I have sat the ITIL v3 foundation thru EXIN (both exactly the same exam). The hardest part of the exam was taking in the dry parts (which was most of it :biggrin )

    So going to join?

    -ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  4. Josiahb

    Josiahb Gigabyte Poster

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    I'm severly tempted, I may have a chat with my manager on the subject (they've been fairly positive on the subject of my professional development in the past so may help with the costs). I'm close on 5 years experience now (I think, I have a mental block when it comes to my start date at work) so I may wait and go straight for MBCS.

    Tempted if I'm only a little short of 5 years to go for AMBCS and then upgrade, cheeky I know but in all these things the prize goes to whoever plays the game best!
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, MCDST, ACA – Mac Integration 10.10
  5. UKDarkstar
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    UKDarkstar Terabyte Poster

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    The importnat thing is committing to professionalism in your chosen career. I wouldn't worry too much about which membership grade you end up with (remember CITP is different). Also, why not go along to one of your branch meetings - most don't insist on membership to attend and they can cover a wide variety of topics. You can check for your local branch here
     
    Certifications: BA (Hons), MBCS, CITP, MInstLM, ITIL v3 Fdn, PTLLS, CELTA
    WIP: CMALT (about to submit), DTLLS (on hold until 2012)
  6. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    No I haven't found the books 24/7 thing. Is it just me or is the BCS home page a bit confusing???
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  7. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    It is :biggrin

    To access the books 24/7 -> login -> (Top right hand side) click on MEMBER BENEFITS & CONTENT -> (Left hand side of screen) Exclusive Benefits -> (Under the heading of "BCS Online Library featuring") click Books 24x7 eBooks -> then click "Access the Books24x7 Website", this opens up a new window :)

    Have fun reading...

    -ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  8. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Thanks very much mate, I doubt I'd ever of found it :blink
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  9. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Hi All, seems things are going pretty well for me this year. I become a dad, achieved most of the certs in my sig in 2009, I turn 30 next week and now I've just been told I am now a . . . . . . . Chartered IT Professional with the British Computer Society :D

    I'm pretty made up about this as I hadn't even considered joining the BCS until I saw some good posts on this forum. Here's how I got on. 1st I joined as a Professional Member. As you can see from this thread I was unsure of what level to apply for. Then after talking to Ken and UKDarkStar I decided to apply for an upgrade to CITP, which is free if you can meet the criteria. I have cut a little from the BCS website, hope I'm OK to do that . . .

    "1) 8 – 10 years of IT work experience plus a relevant
    recognised qualification (depending upon level of
    qualification), or
    2) An Honours degree with BCS exemption
    3) Competencies at SFIA level 5 and above
    4) Spent at least the last 12 months in a role demonstrating:
    - Significant influence and responsibility
    - A challenging range of complex work activities
    - Full accountability
    - Well developed business skills

    Achieving Chartered IT Professional (CITP)
    status demonstrates that you practise the highest
    professional information technology standards.
    Upon joining you will be able to use post nominal
    letters CITP."


    To achieve CITP status I had to write up 2 pages of evidence detailing how I meet the SFIA level 5 criteria, so things like how I demonstrated managing others, autonomy in a technical role etc which was pretty straight forward working in IT for 10 years, Team Leader for 8 all with Global IT firms. You need to have a good degree too I think.

    My manager told me the BCS asked her for info but I don't know much about that as it was confidential.

    To my horror I was then asked to attend an online interview a week ago today. I have attended courses over the net with a tutor but never an interview! So to say I was concerned would be an understatement. On the day however I was lucky that my cocky alter ego kicked in that I use in work :twisted:

    When I had the interview the BCS like to use Adobe Connect Pro which was good (We use Genesys at Atos). This allowed us to see each others webcams as we spoke. As I'm used to, the Voice element was handled by traditional phone lines, not VoIP, to reduce the need for much bandwidth. The interview was scheduled for 45 minutes but lasted 30.

    The two interviewers were very seasoned IT Professionals and I'm sure one was some form of Mainframe specialist to quiz me on that part of my career. They were very pleasant but took the interview very seriously, as you should, but I'm used to talking to people as if they are as low down the food chain as me so had to reign that in a bit.

    When the interview was over I made sure I had prepared 2 or 3 questions for them as I knew they would ask if I had any questions for them as is typical in an interview. They seemed impressed enough at the time but when I signed off I had a small worry at the back of my mind that I didn't emphasize just how autonomous my role can get.

    Come home today after a nice day with my girl/baby to an email saying I was now a CITP!!! Made up ha ha Sorry if I've gone on there but just thought I'd update my original thread and also say a big thanks to Ken "The Real Deal" Wagner and a really big thanks to Kev "The Don" DarkStar :cheers

    I know people have varying views about being a member of a professional organisation but personally I think its important to be a part of an organisation that promotes IT as an industry and the professionals who work just as hard as Accountants, Surveyors etc who have been able to achieve Chartered status for decades .

    Thanks
    James
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  10. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Excellent news on all fronts, way to go :cheers:thumbleft:super.

    Good to have you in the CITP ranks, one of the very few credentials that people can't braindump :)

    -ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  11. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    Congrats mate! :biggrin
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
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  12. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Ha ha no one would want a dump of my brain thats for sure ha ha Thanks Ken, partly down to you why I put myself through all of this in the first place so I owe you a few pints if I ever get to a GTG :D

    I just checked and my name isn't on the online list yet. Seen yours tho :twisted: so I now know your middle name!
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  13. UKDarkstar
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    UKDarkstar Terabyte Poster

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    See now, you just slip away from the computer to watch a bit of telly and grab some food and in that time someone gets Chartered ! :eek:

    Well done m8 ! Thoroughly deserved and glad to have you as one of the few ! :biggrin

    It'll take 'em a few days to put you on the register - you may need to keep checking and give a little prod to get it done. You should also check you have access when you log in the BCS Member area - you should be able to get to the CITP logo's.

    ..and of course, you'll get your name in the paper later in the year when they publish the list of CITP's and Fellows !

    :smilescol
     
    Certifications: BA (Hons), MBCS, CITP, MInstLM, ITIL v3 Fdn, PTLLS, CELTA
    WIP: CMALT (about to submit), DTLLS (on hold until 2012)
  14. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Ah sweet! Thanks for all your help and advice mate. Just checked and I can't see the logo yet. I'm looking forward to getting more involved :D
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  15. Josiahb

    Josiahb Gigabyte Poster

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    Fantastic news, congratulations mate. :biggrin

    maybe some day in the future I'll join you.... :cheers
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, MCDST, ACA – Mac Integration 10.10

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