IMA Value Proposition for Individuals
This document explains the benefit to an individual of IMA membership and chartered mathematician status.
Introduction
People with an interest in mathematics join the IMA for a variety of reasons. They include, inter alia: networking with other mathematicians, gaining vital information on the latest developments and what is affecting the health and well being of mathematics; enhancing the public perception of mathematics; ensuring governments fully understand the value of mathematics to the wider economy; and influencing the media to have a positive attitude towards mathematics and mathematicians.
Individual membership of the IMA demonstrates a person’s standing within the mathematics profession and their support for mathematical disciplines. Those who want their commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) and additional experience and professional standing recognised often apply for chartership (CMath or CSci).
The IMA, a Learned and Professional Society:
- is dedicated to promoting mathematics for the benefit of society, and hence the welfare of business and technology for employers, employees and clients;
- supports the underpinning mathematics needed to sustain and expand the knowledge economy, nationally and internationally;
- regulates and awards the Chartered Mathematician (CMath) designation, and awards the Chartered Scientist (CSci) designation;
- is a charitable, not for profit organisation governed by Royal Charter;
- manages the Institute’s and mathscareers websites offering support, resources and advice to mathematicians and anyone interested in mathematics as a career. It also provides links between potential employees and employers.
This document highlights the benefits of membership and chartership.
The Value of Membership
Mathematics Today
Every member receives a free bimonthly copy of Mathematics Today. This incorporates all the latest news about the IMA, conferences, local branches, plus several technical articles every issue.
Reduced conference fees
The IMA runs about ten conferences a year. Many of these have an industrial theme, and are often multidisciplinary, offering opportunities for people to network. IMA members may attend IMA conferences at the considerably discounted Member rate.
IMA journals
The IMA has 7 journals published by the Oxford University Press (OUP). They are available in both paper and electronic formats. IMA members may receive them at a discounted rate.
Local IMA branches
The IMA has the following local branches: London, East Midlands, West Midlands, West of England, North West, Scottish and Irish. Branch meeting calendars are published on the IMA website.
Enhanced professional development
- members have access to the initial professional development (IPD), CPD and graduate training schemes, and competencies frameworks developed by the IMA
- IMA events and conferences provide excellent networking opportunities at the forefront of research and technological advances
- companies recognise that better individual performance leads to better company performance and may choose to reward this with enhanced promotional opportunities
Post nominals AMIMA, MIMA or FIMA
Depending on your grade of membership, this demonstrates your level of professional standing within your discipline.
- AMIMA (associate membership): recognises your mathematics qualifications and commitment to the profession.
- MIMA (membership): additionally recognises your responsible experience and professional standing.
- FIMA (fellowship): recognises that you have achieved a senior position coupled with considerable experience, and have an excellent reputation for contributions to and/or applications of mathematics
Recruitment adverts
Adverts from IMA Corporate Affiliates appear in Mathematics Today, on the IMA website, and on the mathscareers website.
Social networking
The IMA maintains a group on LinkedIn, the social networking site aimed at professionals. The Early Career Mathematicians also have a Facebook page and the IMA maintains a presence on Twitter.
Public understanding of STEM
Members have the opportunity to get involved in promoting the public understanding of STEM. The IMA produced the successful Mathematics Matters series of research case studies, produced the Large Mathematics Outreach Kit, organises the mathematics zone for the Big Bang Science and Engineering fair, and manages the mathscareers website.
The Value of Chartership
Post-nominals CMath or CSci
The award of a chartered designation is a highly significant milestone in your career. Most notably, it is awarded by your peers in your profession, and demonstrates their belief that you have achieved a level of competence, professionalism, responsibility, proven knowledge and understanding in your chosen discipline.
Chartership gives you post-nominal letters certifying your achievements beyond those of academic qualifications. It identifies you as being at the forefront of your profession and broadens your career options, encapsulating the standards of professional excellence across mathematics in the 21st century.
Even if post nominals are of very little interest to you, be assured that they are of great interest to those who wish to use your services. They therefore enhance the reputation of your employer.
Why is this so?
Those with whom you work may belong to other professional bodies and will have post nominal letters corresponding to their field. Members and Fellows of professional bodies are well known designations and attract public support and respect. It is right that mathematicians working in a mixed environment should also have this recognition.
CMath indicates that you have mathematical expertise at the very least at Master’s level (or equivalent), and that you also have a strong professional reputation. Moreover, those who employ you, and those who use your services, can be confident that you will adhere to the IMA’s professional code of conduct.
Many of your colleagues will have chartered status in their own fields: CEng, CChem or CPhys etc. The CMath designation ensures that you will maintain your status relative to your colleagues.
Coordinated CPD
The IMA
- encourages and maintains records of the CPD of holders of the CMath designation, who undertake to engage in a programme of appropriate CPD; this professional development is of benefit to both the employee and the employer
- carries out a regular audit on the CPD of holders of the CSci designation
Enhanced performance
- enhanced and continually updated awareness of novel research, technological innovation and emerging topics of interest can feed back into your working environment
- increased networking opportunities and access to contacts
- soft/key skills, such as problem solving and project planning, developed through CPD are applied successfully in the workplace
- quality assurance competencies encourage constant evaluation and improvement of your work
- professional values reflect back into the workplace, helping you to encourage others and develop juniors; this is sometimes formalised by mentoring
- enhanced performance helps to raise your chances of promotion and career advancement
Enhanced reputation
- demonstrable qualifications and status can enhance your reputation, support contract bids, and increase the confidence of others in you
- demonstrates that you abide by the IMA’s chartership professional code of conduct