G061 - Professional Bodies

Learning objectives: By the end of this topic you should be able to: describe the purpose & activities of professional bodies explain the advantages and disadvantages of belonging to a professional body;

What are Professional Bodies? a formal group that oversees an area of an industry an organisation that serves the needs of ICT professionals e.g. BCS - British Computing Society

Purpose & activities of a Professional Body assist with career development run training courses run examinations jobs newsletters knowledge & information services to keep members up to date with developments produce publications & newsletters run conferences put members in touch with each other produce glossary of terms define standards for conduct for members advise government

Benefits that membership brings: ability to share expertise amongst fellow professionals access to up-to-date information through periodicals training courses on new issues regular briefings on specific interests providing for standardised qualification framework recognised qualification  trust in the qualification legal protection in case of data loss/misconduct allegations books on specific issues produced by people you can trust meetings with colleagues  lack of isolation discounts on software & hardware

Drawbacks that membership brings: cost of membership can be expensive (recurring annual cost) do benefits outweigh the cost? code of conduct can restrict the way that members conduct themselves competitors may behave unethically may lose out on contracts need to attend conferences & read new publications strain on work-life balance