The NZCS has special membership grades for those embarking on the journey to becoming an ICT professional.

Start your career early with student membership of ICT's professional body.

NZCS Student Membership, open to full-time students of recognised educational institutions (including secondary schools), opens the door to a career in ICT.

No matter how you look at it, if you are recognised as a professional - someone who believes in excellence - doors will open.

The Society works with the ICT industry recruitment agencies, employers and government to ensure widespread recognition of those that have adopted a Code of Ethics and commitment to professional development, and holding a student membership of the NZCS makes that difference.

It's all about attitude. Qualifications show that you can achieve from an academic and technical perspective. Membership of a professional body shows that you're also serious about doing things properly, and that means a lot to potential employers.

A wise person once said that it's not what you know, but who you know. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle - a bright, keen and knowledgable young professional can only be helped by the networking possibilities that come with NZCS membership.

As a student member you will be truly engaged with the decision makers and professionals in industry and academia.

NZCS student members may receive 100 NZCS-branded business cards. Inclusion of one of these cards in job applications or given out during employment interviews will demonstrate your commitment to professionalism, and with a large number of senior ICT professionals as members, there's a good chance that the person receiving the card will also be a member of the Society.

Student and Graduate Members receive a framed NZCS Membership Certificate, perfect for your office or flat.

Student and Graduate Membership is only $45 including GST, an 80% discount off normal membership of the NZCS. As a student member you will also receive full member discounts to a wide range of events and other services.

Being a student member gives you the right to start or participate in an NZCS Student Chapter at your campus or region. If your campus or region doesn't already have a Student Chapter, please contact NZCS for information about setting one up.

Setting up or operating a Student Chapter is incredibly rewarding and having it on your CV might well make the difference come graduation time.

Once you've graduated you can upgrade your membership to "Graduate Membership". This is a transitionary membership level between Student Member and professional membership, and is the next step on your path to ICT professionalism.

Graduate Members with more than 6 months of postgraduate experience are eligible for the NZCS mentoring scheme and other programmes to help develop them personally and professionally.