Hi all,
This thread is mainly aimed at Australian FSAE'ers, although I'd certainly welcome input from outside our shores too. Present competitors and alumni are welcome to contribute their thoughts.
The SAE is very conscious that many of us are signing up for SAE membership purely to attend the competition, and then not renewing membership once we graduate. I personally think this is a great loss, as a Society such as this one can offer networking, education and professional development opportunities for all of us - whether we specifically move into an auto engineering job or whether we just retain an interest in the field. Furthermore, the Society is a not-for-profit organization and relies on memberships to stay afloat - and to continue to provide the FSAE opportunity to future students.
So my questions for discussion:
Have you, or will you, maintain your SAE-A membership once you have moved on from competing in FSAE. If so, why? If not, why not?
What sort of events and services would convince you to retain your SAE-A membership?
The questions are being asked in good faith, so I hope responses will be constructive. I've had some interesting discussions privately about this matter, and now it is time to spread the net a little wider and get some opinions from around the country. If you would rather PM me your thoughts than post them publically then that is fine.
Thanks to all, and I look forward to some constructive discussion.