Discussion
Hi all,
Interested in your thoughts. My qualifications are quite generalist; degrees in Information Systems, Civ Eng, and Engineering Management (ish). I am now confident that I would be accepted for CEng, and am considering whether to do so with IMechE or IET.
I work in project management in mechanical engineering. I am considering a jump to a more tech focussed environment (project management still, but in new tech or internet based role), but will likely stick in mech eng for now.
Both organisations have benefits - IMechE bolsters my credibility from a mech eng perspective, helpful given my degrees don't, and IET is more generalist, appealing (perhaps?) to a wider range of employers.
My concerns are that IMechE pigeonholes me too much should I make the jump to tech, and that IET is seen as less prestigious than IMechE.
Any thoughts?
Interested in your thoughts. My qualifications are quite generalist; degrees in Information Systems, Civ Eng, and Engineering Management (ish). I am now confident that I would be accepted for CEng, and am considering whether to do so with IMechE or IET.
I work in project management in mechanical engineering. I am considering a jump to a more tech focussed environment (project management still, but in new tech or internet based role), but will likely stick in mech eng for now.
Both organisations have benefits - IMechE bolsters my credibility from a mech eng perspective, helpful given my degrees don't, and IET is more generalist, appealing (perhaps?) to a wider range of employers.
My concerns are that IMechE pigeonholes me too much should I make the jump to tech, and that IET is seen as less prestigious than IMechE.
Any thoughts?
You changed your user name?
OK - i'll re-phrase that - after your review, do you now know whether you will need to go down their "further learning" route? The reason I ask is that I worked with a few blokes who did this in the consultancy I used to work in, and it was a long drawn out affair and needs a real solid mentor to keep you on track and sign stuff off.
OK - i'll re-phrase that - after your review, do you now know whether you will need to go down their "further learning" route? The reason I ask is that I worked with a few blokes who did this in the consultancy I used to work in, and it was a long drawn out affair and needs a real solid mentor to keep you on track and sign stuff off.
In that case, based on their status and relevance within the Mechanical Engineering world, it would have to be CEng with the IMechE for me.
All of the engineers that I know who are Chartered with the IET are either Electrical or C&I bias. I have nothing against the IET, and as I understand you could always hold CEng status with both, but first and foremost IMechE based on your background.
Cheers
Matt (CEng MCIBSE)
All of the engineers that I know who are Chartered with the IET are either Electrical or C&I bias. I have nothing against the IET, and as I understand you could always hold CEng status with both, but first and foremost IMechE based on your background.
Cheers
Matt (CEng MCIBSE)
Stick with the IMechE. It’s probably more recognised then the IET. Maybe that’s just how I see it from mechanical land.
I’m not sure that the interview is a 100% formality, it is if all t’s are crossed and I’s dotted nicely. I’ve heard of people who have been quizzed and failed. My ex-boss (Fellow) does them @ Birdcage and he said it was surprising how many verbal answers were given that didn’t match the paperwork in front of them.
The main thing is that it’s a chance to say “I did this, I improved that”. It’s got to be what YOU have accomplished. The main issue is to make sure that if anything was improved, you can say by how much.
YOU - Not the team you were in, the company where you worked etc.… but YOU. It’s all about YOU.
It’s that one occasion in life when you can wind down the “I’m a team player, team work means the dream work” stuff, and talk about your favourite topic - you.
The interviewers are usually taken from a field of engineering that is not the one you work in, but would be able to ask appropriate questions. My 2 interviewers were an aerospace guy and a welding expert in the nuclear industry. I’m neither.
The key is to have the core competencies filled in to the appropriate level.
If you need to know anything else - ask away.
I’m not sure that the interview is a 100% formality, it is if all t’s are crossed and I’s dotted nicely. I’ve heard of people who have been quizzed and failed. My ex-boss (Fellow) does them @ Birdcage and he said it was surprising how many verbal answers were given that didn’t match the paperwork in front of them.
The main thing is that it’s a chance to say “I did this, I improved that”. It’s got to be what YOU have accomplished. The main issue is to make sure that if anything was improved, you can say by how much.
YOU - Not the team you were in, the company where you worked etc.… but YOU. It’s all about YOU.
It’s that one occasion in life when you can wind down the “I’m a team player, team work means the dream work” stuff, and talk about your favourite topic - you.
The interviewers are usually taken from a field of engineering that is not the one you work in, but would be able to ask appropriate questions. My 2 interviewers were an aerospace guy and a welding expert in the nuclear industry. I’m neither.
The key is to have the core competencies filled in to the appropriate level.
If you need to know anything else - ask away.
MattyD803 said:
In that case, based on their status and relevance within the Mechanical Engineering world, it would have to be CEng with the IMechE for me.
All of the engineers that I know who are Chartered with the IET are either Electrical or C&I bias. I have nothing against the IET, and as I understand you could always hold CEng status with both, but first and foremost IMechE based on your background.
Cheers
Matt (CEng MCIBSE)
I joined the IProdE as a student on a HND in Production Engineering. I moved to an acredited BEng Hons with a year in industry, and then joined a graduate scheme that was accredited too. It became the IManufE and then joined the IEE which is the point where I became chartered and eventually, it became the IET. All of the engineers that I know who are Chartered with the IET are either Electrical or C&I bias. I have nothing against the IET, and as I understand you could always hold CEng status with both, but first and foremost IMechE based on your background.
Cheers
Matt (CEng MCIBSE)
I think I was lucky, because all I really had to do was fill in a log book and get promoted a couple of times. And find 4 sponsors. 2 of mine were University professors, who I was working with on research projects with the big corporate I was working 4 and I was project managing a series of linked research projects, whilst at the same time project managing a new product team.
One of sponsors was the ex-president of the IProdE and my boss's boss. All 4 were Fellows rather than members.
I still say that all I did was go to.work and document what I did.
Getting chartered was a let down, initially. It was made clear that it wasn't worth any more money.
It was only when I started looking to move that I noticed recruitment consultants would start taking an interest, when they realised. I heard it in thier voices on a few occasions.
If you can, as in if you have the time, the inclination/competence and the cash (remembering that you can get tax relief on professional membership subscriptions), then why not go for all?
If any of those things are in short supply, then choose what you think will benefit you most in the next 5 years or so, from both a learning and what will be attractive to a future employer perspective.
If any of those things are in short supply, then choose what you think will benefit you most in the next 5 years or so, from both a learning and what will be attractive to a future employer perspective.
It used to be the case within a number of large engineering consultancies that I worked for (some of which that have been gobbled up a much larger conglomerates) who wouldn't allow you progress internally beyond an "intermediate" level engineer without CEng status....that's a bit harsh really.
It's a ball ache to do, but well worth pressing on and getting done. It'll certainly pay itself back though opportunities and salary/rate negotiations over the years.....
It's a ball ache to do, but well worth pressing on and getting done. It'll certainly pay itself back though opportunities and salary/rate negotiations over the years.....
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