I was a student member of ASFPM while I was a graduate student and attended my first ASFPM national conference, which happened to be up the road in Chicago. This membership and exposure to the issues of the Association helped me get my foot in the door. Through the Association I met another former SIU Geography student (Jan Horton), who later hired me to my first job with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. I am now with the Nebraska DNR, and have to say that the ASFPM student membership was instrumental in getting to where I am today. When I was a grad student, an annual membership cost me all of $10/year - on the website I see that it is now $25, so it is very affordable for students.