PRESTIGE: Membership in professional organizations shows a seriousness about your career and a willingness to spend your own time to learn more about your profession. SCHOLASTIC: GRANT-IN-AID Annually the SSQ promotes a "Dusty Rhodes" essay contest for scholastic grant-in-aid. The proceeds benefit an individual whose focus is within the field of quality software. EDUCATION: SSQ members help local universities and colleges develop and implement curricula and courses in software quality and related technologies. STANDARDS: The SSQ and its members assist in the formulation of national and international software and system standards (DOD, IEEE, NRC, ISO, etc.) TECHNICAL: Active participation in the SSQ promotes awareness of the constantly changing software development environment by encouraging continuous education and training. The SSQ promotes professionalism in performing the functions of quality software by keeping members abreast of state-of-the-art techniques in quality software development and measurement. KNOWLEDGE: SSQ meetings and seminars provide members with the opportunity to meet people in your field and in related disciplines, to learn more about your profession, and to learn how other companies handle many of the same challenges you face.