CERF Student Membership Is A Bargain!! If You Are or Were A Student – Read This!

While I was a graduate student, I attended the annual meetings of a different scientific society and observed that the graduate students there spent considerable time trying to talk to assistant professors; assistant professors tried to talk to associate professors; associate professors tried to talk to full professors; and full professors tried to hide and talk among themselves. I have never felt this caste system at our biennial conferences or meetings of our Affiliate Societies. As a younger member of ERF, my limitations to interacting with others were from my own introversion, not any explicit or implied social order. Egalitarianism is one of CERF's greatest strengths, and it starts with respect for everyone irrespective of stage of career.

      Students comprise between 10 and 16% of the CERF membership, with more student members during biennial conference years. Students are fully franchised. Their membership includes the right to vote and hold office. Now I admit that a graduate student is unlikely to be elected President, but that has more to do with the size of personal network and experience than any formal restrictions. Furthermore, students often play crucial and appreciated roles for both CERF and the Affiliate Societies.

      Students receive numerous advantages from their membership in CERF and its Affiliate Societies. First and most obvious is the reduced annual membership dues. Student CERF dues are less than half the normal membership; and as they say in the commercials, “for about $1 per week….”

      Second are the recognition of merit and the financial breaks at meetings. Monetary awards for outstanding student presentations at CERF and Affiliate conferences look great on your CV and ease the cost of attendance. Affiliate Societies and CERF offer students reduced registration fees, travel stipends and some offer payment for on-site work.

      Third, students can develop their presentation skills in a respectful and friendly environment. Affiliate Societies provide an excellent forum for that first presentation. CERF conference organizers encourage students to fully participate in both oral and poster sessions, giving students their choice of presentation format over 75% of the time.

      Fourth, one of CERF’s few standing committees is the “Education Committee.” It provides a number of opportunities to students, including E-Refs and extra financial support for meeting attendance when possible. Finally, the job postings on the CERF web site are the most viewed pages and help provide a way out of studentdom.

      Fifth, CERF helps students develop leadership and organization skills by welcoming them to serve on committees and get involved with the management of their society's events and programs.

      Above are the tangible benefits of student membership, and perhaps as important is a less tangible benefit – the ability to network and be recognized as being part of the community of coastal and estuarine scientists. Colleagues and friends made at Affiliate Society and CERF meetings during student years often continue throughout one's career. Some of these people will review your future manuscripts and proposals, others may be future collaborators — or even bosses.

      Speaking of future bosses, a curriculum vita that indicates memberships in professional societies is a positive factor for employment. As an estuarine and coastal scientist, being a member of ACCESS, AERS, CAERS, GERS, NEERS, PERS, SEERS, or CERF is a definite plus. The person doing the interviewing and making the decision may also be a member — a member who began as a student, values the connections and looks favorably on helping a fellow member.