I'd like your thoughts, please, on rejoining a professional engineering society.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Is anyone a member of his or her professional engineering society? Years ago I was a member of IEEE. I’m thinking of rejoining. My employer wants me to be a non-voting representative of my agency on an IEEE subcommittee.

I have no objections to signing up, as long as I can opt out of paper showing up in the mail all the time.

They don't give away memberships. Great idea; more expense than it’s worth – what do you think?

I've asked my coworkers too.

Thank you.

[comradebillyboy]

1. It's a good career move. And if it's at your employer's

request the employer should pick up the tab for your membership fees.

You get more professional exposure from that sort of activity and you may find yourself being contacted by headhunters looking for engineering talent. Publishing a couple of papers and giving talks to professional societies got me a lot of attention and even unsolicited job offers. So even if the boss doesn't pay it may be worthwhile for your own benefit.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. It will be out of pocket from me. I don't mind. Membership in the society is not required for

being a rep on the subcommittee. We just observe. We don't vote. I've thought about this for awhile.

Thanks.

[zipplewrath]

2. BEnefits

I seem to recall that IEEE was one of the few that actually gave individual members access to health insurance benefits. In this day and age, that alone might be worth the expense.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. Yeah, that's why I was a member back then. I was in ASME too.

I have health insurance now, better and cheaper than what I could get through either IEEE or ASME.

Thanks.

[VWolf]

5. Was part of IEEE for years

I quit in 2016. It never really did much for me.

Then again, I never needed to take advantage of their benefits or networking opportunities.

[genxlib]

6. I belong to ASCE and NSPE

And the Florida chapters of each. But my employer pays for them which is not cheap.

They don't require anything of me so there is no real downside for me.

I think of them like a Union that are looking out for my best interests. They protect and promote the professional industry in ways that make a positive difference in my career. Most importantly, they protect the idea that Engineers are valued professionals rather than a commodity that can be purchased at low bid. It may not sound like much but it is a constant battle and it is nice to have someone out there carrying that flag.

They also offer some discounts on conferences and seminars that are needed for continuing education.

Networking is certainly part of it but those opportunities depend a great deal on your level of involvement and the activity level of your local chapter. I was never any good at that kind of thing.

Having said that, I am not positive I would do it out of my own pocket. Probably but not positive.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. It's $208 through the end of 2021 plus whatever the special interest groups cost. I'd join one. NT

[genxlib]

8. Mine is like $190 per year

For some reason I was thinking it was more like $350 but I checked to make sure.

On second thoughts, I would do that much out-of-pocket.

There is no doubt they provide that much value to my career. Of course, much like a union, I could let others carry that burden for me. But it is worth it to me to be part of the solution.

[hunter]

9. My wife's not an engineer, but her work expects her to maintain professional society memberships.

These are also on her CV.