USITT Membership

[gregeye]

Hello, I have been thinking of joining USITT and was wondering if it's worth it. I am a senior in high school and going to college for lighting desgin. Any opinions or thoughts?

Thanks

[sarahsliefie]

Yes. However, I would suggest that you join the regional group first that will tell you more about the national scene. Most of them have local smaller events for training that are both cheep and extremity useful. Then you will be able to talk to others in the field and you will know if you want to pay the big bucks for the national.

[rochem]

I've been wondering the same thing for a long time. Apart from getting a quarterly magazine and a reduced price at USITT itself, what are the advantages of becoming a member? For example, would any of you ever expect to see "USITT member" on a resume, or maybe hire a USITT member over an equally qualified non-USITT member? Is there really that large of a networking potential outside of the major events, or is it just intended to facilitate the national and regional events? Does USITT itself offer training classes or material, or does it just refer you to other institutions which will sometimes give a USITT discount? I'm willing to join if it's really gonna be useful, but thus far I haven't found any good reasons to want to be a member.

Not trying to say that USITT is useless or anything, just trying to get some opinions on the topic. Discuss.

[Footer]

If I am going to the conference... I join... if I don't that year, my membership lapses. You do get published in the member directory which can be useful if you lose contact with people. However, in the world where I am facebook friends with every co-worker I have ever worked with that is less and less useful. As far as anyone caring about membership job wise... does it hurt... no, will it help... no. Because they will let anyone in, its not really an elite club that stands out. Its good resume' filler but in no way an requirement.

[kicknargel]

You can get discounts on books and such, too.

[MPowers]

I've been a member since '69 and I've found it to be a major plus to my life and career. It has developed friends I've known for many years, business contacts that have been very profitable and a vast resource for new information about methods, products and a tremendous history resource.

It is not "sudden" nor does all this happen "Now". These things develop over time and years. Sometimes a person you met 10 years ago, turns out to be the one contact you need to land a job or hire a new employee.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! I would not trade a second of my USITT experiences for all the world.

[gregeye]

Ok, so If I get the student membership for 65$ am I getting the same as everyone else? And do I have to keep renewing my subscription?

[MPowers]

It's been a while since I was a student in the formal sense, and I was out of school by the time USITT was formed, but IIRC, yes your student membership does give you full member status. Please check with the USITT national office to confirm this. And yes, just like any other professional organization, dues are annual. It is, IMHO, money well spent.