BCS The Chartered Institute for IT 2009

Student Presentation 2009/10 2 About BCS? The UK’s leading professional body for those working in IT & communications The only awarding body for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status A route to Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Chartered Scientist (CSci) Formed in 1957 and received its Royal Charter in 1984 BCS is the Chartered Institute for IT and an international awarding body for qualifications We have nearly 70,000 members in more that 100 countries BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, promotes wider social and economic progress through the advancement of information technology science and practice.

Student Presentation 2009/10 3 BCS The Chartered Institute for IT BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, promotes wider social and economic progress through the advancement of information technology, science and practice. In 2009 BCS underwent a transformation. Changes include: – A modern new corporate identity, –Internal restructuring, and an overhaul of BCS Qualifications and Chartered IT Professional status. We serve over 70,000 members worldwide

Student Presentation 2009/10 4 Mission & Vision Mission Our mission is to enable the information society by promoting change and wider social and economic progress. Vision Our vision is to be a world-class organisation for IT. We also need to ensure that we, as an organisation, are adapting to that world and can continue to grow our impact and influence in the decades ahead.

Student Presentation 2009/10 5 What is a professional body? A professional body is defined as a non-profit organisation seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest. As the professional body develops, so does its range of functions: To establish a Code of Conduct To share knowledge of new developments and good practice To set standards of education, skills and experience To advise government

Student Presentation 2009/10 6 Why join BCS? To demonstrate your commitment to the IT profession To show you are serious about your career development To set yourself apart from your peers To keep up-to-date with latest industry developments For our member services and benefits

Student Presentation 2009/10 7 Student membership benefits BCS online library: Books 24x7 offers unlimited access to 200 top IT and business related eBooks Forrester reports up to 3 IT related research reports each month EBSCO IT research database BCS have secured a database for members that includes over 5000 Business related journals and magazines and 4000 titles within the Computer and Applied Science Complete database Information services: eBCS our weekly electronic member newsletter Student eBCS a monthly electronic newsletter IT Now 6 editions per year are produced of the BCS membership magazine BCS website has relevant IT information including interviews, breaking industry news, features and games and networking with other like minded IT practitioners and specialists through our new Member Network

Student Presentation 2009/10 8 Student membership benefits cont. Exclusive discounts & benefits including: Discounts on BCS publications Exclusive deals on software and hardware from leading suppliers Free forwarding facility Train for free with BCS and Sun Microsystems Unrivalled IT networking opportunities: 40 UK Branches 15 International Sections 45 Specialist Groups Young Professionals Group (YPG) Career Development: Free access to SFIAplus the UK’s recognised framework for IT knowledge, skills and training BCSrecruit.com – the jobsite for IT professionals

Student Presentation 2009/10 9 Networking BCS has over 40 UK branches, 45 specialist groups and 15 international sections. BCS also has a Young Professionals Group (YPG). The Member Network is a chance for you to interact with other members, create groups, promote your blogs and Twitter feeds and contribute questions or answers to the new Ask an Expert function

Student Presentation 2009/10 10 Membership categories Ordinary Grades: Student membership - the grade for those on a course of IT related study Associate membership (AMBCS) - a first step to Professional membership Professional Grades: Professional membership (MBCS) - requires 5 or more years’ experience dependent on qualifications Fellowship - our most senior grade for IT professionals Chartered Status: Chartered IT Professional status (CITP) - The benchmark of IT Excellence. As the Chartered Institute for IT, only BCS can award Chartered status. Other registrations: Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Scientist (CSci)

Student Presentation 2009/10 11 Your next step…. For more information and to apply go to - or obtain an application form from your University/College Membership fee: £25 for 1 year or £40 for full course