Certification Magazine - January 2008 - (Page 38)

CertScope links to 46 CertMag articles and 132 Web sites on IT associations. attend events that the association offers. That’s where the networking comes in, and that’s where you build that professional or social relationship.” Further, Williams said active local chapters provide a solid foundation for the overarching IT association, as well as fortify it. The benefits of this then trickle down to all local chapters, thus, all members. “The association needs to have the structure so it can actually get information from a local chapter that might be important to the entire group,” he said. “The local chapter has to contribute to some umbrella structure that can then disseminate that information back down to the entire network.” Estes said it is also imperative for members of professional IT associations to fully commit to them once they join, even though regularly attending meetings and going to events can be difficult. “The real challenge with these user groups is attendance — it’s simply getting people to come to the meetings,” he said. “We’re all busy, we all have crazy jobs, we all have families, and a user group is like one more thing on your plate. Again, the challenge is not so much more user groups [to choose from] as getting people to consistently attend and see the value of these groups. Many are starving for people to get more involved. “People need to check out user groups, but they shouldn’t go just one time — you have to go consistently. Go a few times and check it out, and see over time if it’s something you like. And, if there’s something you don’t like, volunteer to do something, like help get a speaker. Don’t just show up and sit in the back row — get involved with a group.” Davidson said the benefits of her CompTIA membership also help her students, in that she passes along information to them that she gains through the organization’s newsletters and networking opportunities, including the most in-demand certifications, what jobs pay the most, etc. She also encourages her students to join professional IT associations, even if they protest that they cannot afford membership fees on their student budgets. “They get their money back very quickly, and they see that,” Davidson said. “Also, I’ve explained to them that if they’re reading and keeping current, then their expectations of what’s happening in the industry are much better. If they’re current with an organization, then they know more about what their potential is.” Although there are no concrete figures for membership rates across the industry, Williams said he thinks membership is up around the world, not just domestically. He said this is definitely the case with (ISC)2 and that it’s not likely to change. “We’re seeing our membership grow, and we’re seeing those sister associations that have to do with information security grow,” Williams said. “The reason for this is the state of our country and many other countries right now when it comes to terrorism and the information war that we’re fighting. “Terrorism isn’t just about the folks who are on the battlefield with guns and tanks — it’s also about controlling the information and protecting the infrastructures of these organizations. Those infrastructures are backed and fortified by computer technology. Thus, these associations are growing [because] the awareness is there, and the preparedness is there.” Despite the long-ranging, global reach of some professional IT associations, Williams said it’s crucial to have a membership base or headquarters close to home. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to participate in and be engaged with a group when you feel isolated from the rest of the members. “The key is simply that whatever association you’re looking to join really ought to have local chapters,” he said. “Those local chapters almost have to come down to the city level, because a member has to be able to The Future of IT Associations According to Neil Hopkins, vice president of skills development at CompTIA, IT organization memberships assist technical professionals with keeping pace in an increasingly complex world. “New technologies are making the job requirements for IT workers more complicated, not less,” Hopkins said. “The successful IT worker in the 21st century will need a multiplicity of skills and must commit to ongoing education and lifelong learning to keep their skills current. But, it’s not easy to keep up with the pace of technology, the demands of your job and keep up with what’s happening in the job market. That’s why membership in a professional association is so important.” 8 – Lisa Rummler, lrummler@certmag.com 38 CERTIFICATION MAGAZINE January 2008 http://www.CertMag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Certification Magazine - January 2008

Certification - January 2008 Editor's Letter Contents Data Stream Tech Careers Academic Connection Dear Techie Virtual Village Making the IT Leap: How to Move Into the Industry Inside Certification Phoning It In: Telecommuting Systems and Networks Engineer Interface Band of Brothers: Why You Should Join an IT Association Ad Index Endtag

Certification Magazine - January 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.