How to take the next step in your career with RSC membership
Invest in yourself, your career and your community by becoming a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry today.
The members in our community come from a range of sectors, countries and career experiences, with over 45,000 members from over 120 countries. But they all have one thing in common: they’ve experienced the impact that RSC membership can have on improving knowledge, expanding your network and progressing your career.
We talked to several RSC members about the ways that being a part of the RSC has shaped their careers and supported their professional development.
RSC membership has changed my career in so many ways. My first research experience as an undergraduate came as a result of an undergraduate research bursary from the RSC. Then as a postgraduate, the first time I was able to present my research was at the Materials Chemistry Poster Symposium (another RSC event), and all of these experiences have been formative in developing my career.
Ollie Thomas (PhD student, University of Oxford)
What are the benefits of RSC membership?
RSC membership offers a broad range of benefits to aid chemists in industry and academia. Whichever role or career stage you’re in, they’ll be a benefit that can help.
No matter the sector that you work in in the industry, there is a resource there for you.
Ioanna Papadaki (Senior Technicial Specialist, RSSL)
The RSC publishes the latest scientific discoveries through our range of 57 reputable journals (including the ones seen below), magazines and hundreds of books. Members get access to this repository of knowledge, including unlimited content from Chemistry World online, select access to journals in your specialism, and all of the chemical literature and databases contained in the RSC’s digital library.
You also get access to the global community of RSC members, whether that’s through local sections, subject groups, networks or through our range of RSC events. Members can access these groups, get discounted event entry fees and access to funding to support their collaborative efforts – all with the aim of increasing your professional network and supporting cross-disciplinary efforts.
There’s a range of financial support there when you need it most, from the Chemists’ Community Fund to our wide range of lifestyle discounts and funding opportunities for research, which have provided thousands of pounds to members across the world.
If you want to know more about how we can support you, head to the membership pages.
You also gain access to our dedicated careers team.
What dedicated career support do the RSC offer?
As an RSC member, you can book one-to-one career consultations with our expert, chemistry specific, advisers, who are also able to review CVs and offer professional advice.
We have a range of tools to help you track your professional development too, and our mentorship programme means you can become a mentor or mentee to share knowledge. Plus, we run regular career webinars, based on feedback from our members, that cover the topics you most want to hear about, such as mid-career advice and salary insights.
The RSC membership has guided my career trajectory in a very positive sense. From all the career development events and the career related webinars and also the scientific content itself from the journals but also through the opportunities that it provides.
Rupali Dabas (Postdoctoral Associate, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS))
Plus, you can continue your professional development by gaining a professional award.
What professional awards do the RSC offer?
Depending on your experience, member category and specialism, you could be eligible for an RSC professional award. These recognise your credibility, achievements and competence.
Our professional awards include:
- Registered Scientist (RSci)
- Registered Science Technician (RSciTech)
- Chartered Chemist (CChem)
- Chartered Scientist (CSci)
- Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)
With a recognised professional award you're raising the bar – not only for yourself but for your profession. It demonstrates to potential employers that you've achieved a high level of competence in your role and you're committed to continuous professional development. It can also help secure promotions and enhance your own professional reputation.
If you want to know more about which awards you may be eligible for, please contact us or head to our website.
I would encourage anyone to apply for the Chartered Chemist accreditation. If they are not yet there, the process of going through the application will get them develop the skills and experience to actually show that they are at that level.
Kepa Burusco Goni (Data Scientist, Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre)
The recognition from the professional awards can also help you with building your network, which you can do at RSC events.
What events does the RSC run for scientists?
The RSC organises and runs world-leading conferences on a huge range of topics, meaning there’s always something available for you. We also run networking events, webinars and events to help you network and build your career.
See what’s coming up in our events calendar.
The RSC offers very good discounts in terms of attending RSC-organised events. So when you combine, for example, one or two of these events, the money you save attending these ones as a member covers the annual fees.
Kepa Burusco Goni (Data Scientist, Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre)
We also run events and talks to launch our latest reports that look at the current and future chemical landscapes.
How does the RSC influence policy?
The RSC is constantly advocating for better lives for chemists globally.
If you’re in education, we’re looking at education policies and feeding into the chemistry curriculum.
If you’re in academia, we are frequently in dialogue with universities about the future of academia and making it a safe space for all.
If you’re in industry, our policy work such as Future workplace and educational pathways and The contribution of chemistry shows that we are thinking about how industry may evolve and what it would need in the future.
How do I become an RSC member?
The members we spoke to described their membership as a worthwhile investment, whether that be through the knowledge gained, connections they made or the opportunities that they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
To someone considering an RSC membership, I would say that this is the best investment they can do for their career.
Ioanna Papadaki (Senior Technicial Specialist, RSSL)
Becoming a member is making an investment in your career, your community and yourself. Join the RSC today to find out how membership can help you.
To become an RSC member, simply head to our website and start the application process. If you have any questions at all, our friendly team are here to help.
