Welcome to the Ph.D. Professional Associations. This Webpage provides links to associations that might be of interest to iSchool Ph.D. Many of these associations have student rates that are significantly below the normal dues. These associations have professional journals that are potential venues for publications and CV building and are important for keeping your disciplinary knowledge up to date. Thus, Ph.D. students are encouraged to join several associations --it's a one time good deal, dues are cheap for students. The savings in conference fees easily pays student dues in most. New associations also spring up occasionally and may be located through occasional searches of the Web. Google is a good search tool to use.

American Library Association (ALA) Important for anyone going to work with libraries. Dr. Roy, an I school professor was elected National President .
    Texas Library Association Ifyou join ALA you should join TLA.
    UT ALA/TLA, UT Student Chapter The iSchool chapter has several activities each long semester.

American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) This is a key organization for anyone who plans to teach information studies. Dean Dillon served on the Board of Directors.
    UT ASIST Student Chapter The iSchool chapter has several activities each long semester
    UT Information Architecture Group (IAG) This is an informal subgroup of the UT ASIST.

American Association of Record Managers (ARMA) Important for anyone going into records management, special libraries, or corporate/business archives.
     ARMA, Austin Chapter This Austin chapter meets once a month year round for lunch and a presentation. Admission is waived for students.
     Records / Information Management eList
     ElectronicRecords eList

Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) This organization has special interest groups that may be of interest. They have a great digital library.
     UT ACM StudentChapter The UT chapter meets in the Computer Sciences department. The chaptersponsors many fun activities as well as serious community service and professionalactivities in the computer technology field. They also have free pizza once asemester. Membership includes about 300 mostly undergraduates. Membership isfree if you belong to ACM.

Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM) This organization grew from the microfilm industry and focuses on documentation. There is no Austin chapter and they are not very student friendly.

Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) Great organization if you plan to be a consultant or independent entrepreneur.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Communications Society (ComSoc)
     IEEEComSoc, UT Student Chapter
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society (CS)
     IEEE CS, UT Student Chapter
IEEE is a large organization with heavy emphasis in engineering and technology. Austin and student chapters are focused on specific academic disciplines. Some Austin chapters provide free meals for students at their monthly meetings. .

Society of American Archivists (SAA) Very important organization for anyone interested in archives. Austin does not have a chapter.
     UTSAA Student Chapter This is the most active of the iSchool professional association chapters. It manages the annual archives week and several other activities during the year. If you are even remotely interested in archives, preservation, or conservation, or are planning to work in a corporation or business you should join the student chapter.

Special Libraries Association (SLA) This organization is important for anyone who plans to work in special libraries or business archives.
     SLA, UT Student Chapter The chapter has one or two socials and usually on e field trip per semester.

Reforma Important if you plan to work in libraries in central america or if you will serve spanish users.
      Reforma, Central Texas Chapter

Texas Library Association See ALA.

University of Texas Alumni Association (Texas Exes). YOu do not have to wait until you graduate to join the Texas Exes. They have special rates for current students either as a student chapter member or, if you think the members of the student chapter would be too young for you, you could join at a special rate as long as you are a student. Call the membership office, 471-3819, for further information.

Last update: 2006 August 3