Information Communication Technology

Reading/skimming news sources and reports can be a great way to continue to stay current with what's happening in the profession. Participating in a professional organization can be important as well, particularly in attending the organization's webinars, workshops, conferences, etc. If you have the opportunity now, conference attendance can be quite valuable. At conferences you'll meet new people, hear new ideas, and perhaps have a chance to contribute to the conversation yourself.

When you attend a conference, remember that everyone else attending was once new, too. Often other information professionals are very welcoming to students or recent graduates, so feel free to introduce yourself and join a discussion. It may feel difficult to do at first, but it gets easier! Feel free to get in touch with your librarian if you have any questions.

These organizations/research groups frequently produce reports and articles that are relevant to a variety of ICT-related areas. Keeping up with these (often free) reports can be useful to the operation of your organization and also serve as a potential conversation starter with administrators, funders, and other constituents.

It is so important to get involved in organizations (both student ones and professional ones)! As a student, it's a great time to start your involvement. The dues are usually substantially cheaper. You can start building your network now, and maybe even take on volunteer leadership roles. This can help you in landing your first job, and throughout your career, your professional involvement can help you continue to learn, practice leadership skills, grow your network, and potentially land future jobs/promotions. Professional involvement can be so rewarding.

Keep in mind that the list below is in no way exhaustive. For any research interest you have, there is likely a professional organization you can get involved with.

ASIS&T: Association for Information Science and Technology

• The Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) is the only professional association that bridges the gap between information science practice and research. For nearly 80 years, ASIS&T has been leading the search for new and better theories, techniques, and technologies to improve access to information.

ICTSA: Information Communication Technology Student Association 

• Join your fellow classmates in the UK student chapter of ICTSA. The group’s primary purposes are to facilitate communication between students and faculty in the ICT program and coordinate opportunities for student participation in ICT-related programs and activities.

NCA: National Communication Association

• The National Communication Association advances Communication as the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media, and consequences of communication through humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic inquiry.

ACM: Association for Computing Machinery

• ACM brings together computing educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources, and address the field's challenges. As the world’s largest computing society, ACM strengthens the profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life‐long learning, career development, and professional networking.

IEEE ComSoc

• IEEE ComSoc is a leading global community comprised of a diverse group of industry professionals with a common interest in advancing all communications technologies. To that end, the Society sponsors publications, conferences, educational programs, local activities, and technical committees that: Foster original work in all aspects of communications science, engineering, and technology; Encourage the development of applications that use signals to transfer voice, data, image, and/or video information between locations; Promote the theory and use of systems involving all types of terminals, computers, and information processors; all pertinent systems and operations that facilitate transfer; all transmission media; switched and unswitched networks; and network layouts, protocols, architectures, and implementations; Strongly advance developments toward meeting new market demands in systems, products, and technologies such as personal communications services, multimedia communications systems, enterprise networks, and optical communications systems.

EDUCAUSE is a community of IT leaders and professionals working together to tackle challenges and leverage opportunities that are constantly evolving within higher education. They welcome diversity, in viewpoints and experience, and believe in the transformative power of uncommon thinking for the common good.

EDUCAUSE issues frequent, freely available reports, such as the annual Students and Technology Research Study, which can be found in their Center for Analysis and Research.

It's long been said that every good information professional should skim the newspaper each morning. In addition to that, it's helpful to consider the news in your general area(s) of interest. Below are just a few news sources to get you started.