For Evona Teh, becoming a Professional Registration Interviewer felt like a natural next step after achieving Chartered Engineer status in 2019. She found herself reflecting less on the title and more on the experience behind it.
What stayed with her most was the interview itself. It was not just an assessment, but a genuine conversation where someone took the time to engage with her engineering story. That moment left a lasting impression and shaped her decision to volunteer.
“I wanted to be that person for others”
By then, she had built experience across technical engineering, corporate strategy, academia and leadership. It felt like the right time to give back, offering candidates more than a checklist and creating space for meaningful discussions about their work and impact.
Underpinning it all is a belief she has held for years: that engineering knowledge, when shared generously, can change lives. From leading a solar-powered rural healthcare initiative in Kenya to collaborating with engineering communities across Malaysia, China and the UK, that principle has remained constant. For Evona, helping others grow in their professional identity is simply part of what it means to be an engineer.
“The interview becomes a moment of genuine reflection”
One of the most surprising aspects of the role has been the depth of conversation it creates. While Evona expected structured discussions, she quickly realised that interviews often become something more personal.
Candidates frequently use the space to fully articulate their achievements, sometimes recognising their own progress for the first time. Being present for that moment is something she finds both rewarding and humbling.
At the same time, the role demands balance. Interviewing across sectors and career stages means maintaining fairness while staying human in the room. It requires careful judgement, knowing when to challenge and when to listen, something she continues to refine.
The experience is not one-sided either. Each conversation deepens her own understanding of engineering excellence and how it should be assessed across very different career journeys.
“How do we help engineers see the full value of what they do?”
Through her volunteering, Evona has developed a much broader, global perspective on the profession.
Her work as a PRI in Malaysia and the UK, alongside her involvement in the Sino-Foreign Engineering Competency Assessment programme in China, has given her insight into how professional recognition is understood in different contexts. While the systems vary, one common question keeps emerging: how to help engineers recognise and articulate the full value of their work.
Exploring this across cultures has sharpened her understanding of the IET’s frameworks and their wider potential. It has also strengthened her sense of belonging within the profession. Being part of something that helps define what it means to be a Professionally Registered Engineer, across borders, carries real significance.
“There are engineers who don’t realise Chartered status is still open to them”
Evona values the structure behind the IET’s approach. Clear frameworks, strong training and a well-defined route to becoming a PRI all help build confidence in the process, both for volunteers and for candidates.
What stands out to her even more is who might be missing. She often thinks about engineers who have moved into academia, PhD study or roles in strategy and policy. They still apply engineering thinking every day, yet many do not realise they are still well placed to achieve professional registration.
Bringing those engineers back into the conversation is where she sees real potential. It is not about changing the system, but about helping more people recognise that they already belong within it.
“You do not need to wait for a quieter season”
For those thinking about volunteering, Evona’s advice is simple: don’t wait for more time, because it rarely appears.
She understands the hesitation. Time is a real concern, and volunteering can feel like something extra on an already full plate. In her experience though, it gives back just as much as it asks.
The conversations she has had as a PRI have strengthened her not just as an engineer, but as a listener and a leader. Her advice is to start small. One conversation is enough to begin, and often enough to show why it matters.
“The profession is becoming more global and more interconnected”
Evona is keen to deepen her involvement with the IET, particularly in supporting volunteers and improving the interviewer experience.
International collaboration is also a strong focus. Her work with the Chinese Society of Engineers has shown how much appetite there is for greater alignment, and the role the IET could play in bringing that together.
At the same time, her work in Kenya continues to shape how she thinks about engineering in practice. It comes back to understanding local needs, adapting what you know, and building solutions that last.
As the profession becomes more connected, she is motivated to play a part in shaping what that looks like and ensuring it stays inclusive and relevant.
Thanks for sharing your journey, Evona, and for all the work you do to promote the benefits of Professional Registration to the engineering community.
Ready to give back to the profession that shaped you?
If you’re professionally registered, you can, like Evona, turn an interview into a meaningful milestone for another engineer. Join our volunteer community - Volunteering for the IET.
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