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IEEE Computer Society for Students
How undergraduate and graduate students can leverage the IEEE Computer Society to build a career in computer science & engineering
Countless Opportunities to Create Connections & Build Knowledge for Undergraduate & Graduate Students
Why Should I Join a Professional Association?
The IEEE Computer Society connects computer science and engineering students to a global community driving innovations in technology today. 
Its robust Education & Career resources give all students practical tools and expert guidance to strengthen their academic achievements and chart a professional path. The IEEE Computer Society Student Membership levels-up these advantages, unlocking exclusive access to
- Scholarships, grants, and awards
- Student chapter membership and activities
- Deep discounts on hundreds of international conferences
- Student competitions, including the Global Student Video Challenge and IEEE GameSIG
- A professional email address in the computer.org domain.
- And: unlimited access to the IEEE Computer Society Digital Library and to IEEE DataPort, where you can store, access, and manage your research data.
An equally important benefit of student membership: it gives you the opportunity to begin contributing to your field now.
Many IEEE CS Fellows and Senior Members began their own contributions as student members, participating in activities in their local chapters, creating relationships that grew into life-long friendships, and volunteering at conferences and other CS events.
Create a Powerful Network
When you join the IEEE Computer Society, you become part of a global community of more than 370,000 passion computing professionals. And any one connection might lead to many more.
To begin connecting, you can:
- Volunteer at an IEEE Computer Society conference
- Attend a local chapter meeting
- Get involved in the Student & Young Professionals Activities Committee
Leverage Student Awards & Scholarships
Each year, the IEEE Computer Society offers US$40,000 in student scholarships and awards through
These awards recognize undergraduate and graduate student members who show academic promise and/or are active in IEEE or IEEE Computer Society student chapters.
To support student members in building a pathway into their professions, many of the IEEE Computer Society’s Technical Communities (TCs) offer travel grants for students to attend conferences. Following are a few examples:
- The TCs on High-Performance Computing (TCHPC) and Parallel Processing (TCPP) established the HPC/TCPP Student Cohort (HPCSC) to support accepted members with travel awards to attend SC one year and IEEE International Parallel & Distributed Processing Symposium (IPDPS) the next year. The goal is to help students regularly engage with the HPC/TPP communities and enable ongoing interactions among cohort members, who range from undergraduate to late-stage doctoral candidates.
- TCPP also offers conference travel-assistance grants to student members presenting papers at TCPP-sponsored conferences and various PhD forums.
- The TC on Learning Technologies (TCLT) offers annual student travel awards to offset travel expenses for members presenting papers at the International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT) or the International Conference on Technology for Education (T4E).
- The Quantum Technical Community (QTC) offers travel grants for member and nonmember students of up to $1,000 to attend IEEE Quantum Week, whether or not they are presenting papers. QTC also offers up to $300 grants to cover registration costs for students attending the conference remotely
Optimize Your Knowledge and Skills
As an IEEE CS student or graduate student member, you’ll have unlimited access to articles and cutting-edge research published in Computer Society magazines, journals, and conference proceedings by technology leaders in academia, industry, and government. To get an idea of the range, recent articles, papers, and videos published include the following:
- “Generative AI Is Breathing New Life into the Dead Internet Theory” (Computer)
- “Machinery of Ethnic Cleansing: Punched Card Machines and the 1920 Greek Population Census” (IEEE Annals of the History of Computing)
- “AI Standards in the World of AI Agents” (video, Standards Activities Board channel)
- “Cooperative Perception for Digital Twin Reconstruction” (Proc. IEEE Int’l Conf on Artificial Intelligence and eXtended Virtual Reality)
You can also deepen your foundational learning by studying both
- recognized bodies of knowledge for software engineering, systems engineering, and enterprise IT; and
- industry standards, including how essential standards such as IEEE 802.3 and IEEE 802.11 were developed and provide the foundation for next-gen standards.
To gain insights into what underpins today’s technologies and processes, the IEEE CS Standards Activities Board also offers further resources:
- Information on the work of its 18 Standards Committees, which range from AI and cybersecurity to online gaming and test technology.
- Open calls for participation in standards work.
- IEEE Developing Standards, which offers details on the complete standards creation process.
Utilize Career Resources
To help students launch their careers, IEEE Computer Society’s Career Center offers practical tools such as a job search, a job alerts, and an Interview Coach. It also delivers professional career advice through various channels:
The Career Accelerator newsletter
News, job trends, and advice in your inbox.
Build Your Career Video Library
Presentations offer seasoned advice on everything from networking strategy to building your emotional intelligence and dispensing with low-impact words.
The Tech News for Career Development blog
Interviews with top professionals on issues relevant to career-ready students.
Member Favorites
- Busy schedule? Sign up for our bi-weekly digest, ComputingEdge, to get the most popular content delivered straight to your inbox.
- IEEE Open Journal of the Computer Society
- Try out a free copy of ComputingEdge
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Education
Supplement your studies with real-world educational opportunities. Computer science professionals require continued education in addition to degrees in higher education and/or extensive work experience. Learn the latest methodology and technology in your career path to help prepare for after college.
Get Inspired
Challenge your skills and collaborate on new educational experiences with other passionate students in computing. Expand your network with other Computer Society student members to find future job opportunities in your specific field.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is IEEE Computer Society’s mission and purpose in relation to students?
IEEE Computer Society is the preeminent global society for knowledge-sharing and education, and it offers students myriad resources for upping their academic game and launching powerful careers. Through its conferences, publications, programs, and committees, it provides a space for students to participate in essential dialogues and collaborations. It also offers the environment, resources, and tools students and young professionals need to begin making an impact on computer science and technology across the globe.
How is IEEE Computer Society represented globally?
When students join the IEEE Computer Society, they become part of a global community of more than 370,000 computing professionals across 165 countries.
What are the qualifications for Student Membership?
To join as an undergraduate or graduate student, you must be enrolled in an accredited school and first join IEEE. For complete details, see the Membership page.
How much does Student Membership cost per year? Are discounted rates available?
Membership rates vary based on your country and circumstances; discounts are available in some regions. On the Membership page, you can enter your location and view your options.
Do I have to be a member of IEEE to join IEEE Computer Society?
Yes; you can join both organizations at the same time, or join IEEE and then add the Computer Society membership.
Does my membership expire when I graduate?
Your IEEE student membership, like all IEEE memberships, will expire at the end of the current member year. All IEEE memberships and subscriptions expire on 31 December of each year. Using the current member year as an example. If a member joins/renews their membership between 16 August 2025 and 15 August 2025 their membership will expire on 31 December 2026. If a member were to join on or after 16 August 2026 their membership will expire on 31 December 2027.
What leadership opportunities are available to student members?
Volunteering at conferences and getting involved with your local chapter offers opportunities to take on different roles and responsibilities. For example, returning conference volunteers who prove their value often have the chance to take on greater responsibilities each year.
These opportunities give students the ability to stand out among their peers, build a positive reputation with professionals for mentorship and letters of recommendations, and provides invaluable experience prior to entering the workforce.
If I want to volunteer, but I’m not sure where to start, who should I contact?
Let us know what types of roles you’re interested in by filling out this form.
To volunteer with your local chapter, you can use the chapter locator tool to find your chapter and the chapter chair’s contact information. Or you can look at open volunteer opportunities.
For information on volunteering at conferences, email conferences@computer.org.
What mentorship opportunities does IEEE Computer Society offer its student members?
The IEEE Computer Society offers formal mentor sessions at several of its conferences, including Quantum Week, The IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), and SC. For mentor sessions at other conferences, check individual conference websites.
For many students, the best mentorship opportunities arise by simply getting involved, whether by joining your local chapter or volunteering at a conference or an event. These experiences can be an ideal for meeting passionate professionals who share your interests.