So whats this BCS thing all about

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by Bluerinse

That's because most of us here haven't got the foggiest idea what you are talking about

The reason we joke about the only BCS we know is because *we* don't have the foggiest idea what *you* are talking about with your BCS.

[Bluerinse]

Originally Posted by BosonMichael

The reason we joke about the only BCS we know is because *we* don't have the foggiest idea what *you* are talking about with your BCS.

To be honest *I* don't have the foggiest idea what *we* are talking about. I was talking about THE BCS otherwise known as the Body Corporate Services http://www.bcssm.com.au/

[wagnerk]

Originally Posted by dales

Hi all,

just been having a look at the BCS website and just a little confused by it all. Is it a club/ or set of exams, or does a membership fee and passing exams get you into the BCS.
Anyone here members and can they shed any light?

It's an organisation that caters for IT Professionals world-wide (but primarly for the UK), one of the aims of the BCS is to develop the IT Profession into a recognised profession (just like engineering, nursing, lawers, etc.) Currently it is the only organisation that awards the CITP (Chartered IT Professional status) although the IET is in talks with the BCS to be able to award them also. The BCS also awards the CEng, IEng & CSci awards (this is apart from the membership grades - AMBCS, MBCS, etc).

You can join the BCS with time spent working in IT and/or certain quals, you will also have to provide 2 references.

The BCS also awards educational quals (you will have to take various module & exams) up to NQF 6 which is Honours degree level.

Should you join? That's up to you, I found the goals of the BCS similar to mine. Plus I make use of some of the benefits of membership such as: the sfia and career development, the forums, the online books, plus I also get legal aid if at some point in the future I need it (have you seen the prices of solicitors lately?), etc...

Alot of people will say that they are a waste of time (people will say the same thing about degrees, professional certs, vocational certs, etc), others will say that they are a good investment (again people will say the same thing about degrees, professional certs, vocational certs, etc). Personally I believe that they are a good organisation to join especially since I want to progress up the career ladder. Not everyone develops the same way, not everyone takes the same route.

Best bet is to ring the BCS up (or e-mail), talk to them and then make your own informed decision.

-Ken