Monday, April 6, 2015

10 Reasons to Join BDPA

I joined BDPA in 1989. I was promoted to a mid-level management leadership position for a large mainframe computer room. It was my first job in the information technology (IT) industry and I figured that membership in BDPA would be helpful.

Technology professionals compete in a global economy and must never stop learning. BDPA membership provides access to resources that advance the careers of African American IT professionals from the classroom to the boardroom.

Here are 10 reasons to join BDPA:
  1. Acquire professional and leadership skills
  2. Connect to network of IT professionals and executives in the academic, commercial, government and non-profit sectors.
  3. Enhance and develop additional technical skill sets.
  4. Obtain exposure to technical and professional topics through program meetings, seminars and workshops
  5. Obtain free advertising through website and entrepreneur directory.
  6. Opportunity to participate in the regional and national high school computer competition, internships, lifelong mentors, scholarships and student empowerment activities.
  7. Participate actively in an organization that is setting trends in emerging technology.
  8. Participate in certification support groups.
  9. Serve as a role model within the African American community.
  10. Support and influence the goals and directions of this leading edge technical organization through the contribution of your own professional expertise.
I joined BDPA in 1989 ... when did you join? And, if you are not a member yet ... what are you waiting on? Join BDPA today!

Out of curiosity ... if you are currently a BDPA member -- what was your primary reason for joining?

4 comments:

Nicole Newman said...

I joined to help BDPA marketing STEM jobs to African American Youth in the Philadelphia Area!

Unknown said...

Nicole - Thank you for taking a moment to share your reason for joining. I hope that others reading this blog will do so as well.

In meantime, is there anything that we can do to support your efforts to market STEM jobs in the Philly area?

C Samuels Jr said...

Are these reasons still valid for all chapters in the BDPA Family??

We are having a hard time convincing members in Detroit that these reasons are enough for them to join.

Wayne Hicks said...

Cliff - I remain convinced that an organization of African American IT professionals is relevant in 2011 ... and relevant in a city such as Detroit. The issue (IMHO) isn't the validity of the 10 reasons ... rather the execution or delivery of BDPA programs and services on local and national levels. I'm comfortable that I could get 200 members into BDPA Detroit chapter membership by next year's conference. However, the issue isn't whether I can do it ... it is whether we have leaders (such as you Cliff) willing to step into the leadership role for the BDPA Detroit chapter to do it.

First we must believe.
Then we can achieve.

I'm open to talking with you or your chapter leadership by phone if that would help. (513) 284-4968.