Some thoughts on volunteering and networking…
Engineers are required to show their ‘commitment to the profession’ if they wish to become Professionally Registered. In my experience one of the easiest ways to do this is to be a volunteer for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). At the same time volunteering has opened up a wealth of experiences and contacts that will (hopefully) serve me well throughout my career.
In fact, as I write this I am sat on a train to London (at 6.30am) to attend a meeting of the Young Members’ Board (YMB, the international committee that represents all young engineers in the IMechE) as a representative of young Tribologists. With representatives from every geographic region, every industrial division and every research group, the range of people who sit on the YMB is diverse to say the least. Clearly, a prime opportunity to network!
Now, at this point there may be some people reading this who are feeling a certain amount of disdain, a dislike for what they are expecting me to suggest. Like many people I know, I used to see networking as a particularly distasteful activity; one where sucking-up and flattery would supposedly get you all the contacts you needed to further your own career. Quite simply, this is not the case – at least not if you do it properly.
Networking must be mutually beneficial; both you and your new contact will have something to gain from your new relationship, if it is to last. What I mean to say is, if you have something to offer in the way of experience, resources, expertise or contacts of your own, then networking is nothing more than having a conversation – no cringe-inducing schmoozing required!
Now obviously, some personal confidence and communication skills are required, and a bit of charisma helps, but as long as you remain friendly and professional, you’ll (mostly) manage just fine.
As one of the regular bloggers here at Developing Engineers I hope to provide some useful insights for and about young engineers, their career development and engagement with the wider engineering profession.
I’m currently a Postgraduate Researcher at The University of Sheffield investigating the effects of cryogenic processing in manufacturing and tribology, having gained an MEng in Mechanical Engineering there in 2009. In addition to being an Associate Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers I represent young members on its trustee board and young engineers in the field of tribology.
Hi sir
i saw your charge to volunteerism for engineering, well if one is willing to voluntee but finaciallly handicap what can one do
Hello there,
I’m afraid I’m not quite sure to which charge you are referring?
When volunteering for the IMechE (and I assume all the other major institutions), your expenses are always covered – I will be getting back the money that I spent on that train fare the other week.
There are also subscription fees to become a member of the Institution, and whilst these may seem expensive, they are typically covered by the company that you work for as it is in their interest to see you remain a member of one of the big institutions.
Does that answer your question?