If your goal is to achieve professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng), Engineering Technician (EngTech) or ICT Technician (ICTTech) you will probably have many people help you along the way.

 

Two key people you might consider seeking out are a mentor and a Professional Registration Advisor. Here I explain these roles and when to use each one.

 

Mentor

 

The role of a mentor is to guide you towards becoming a competent professional, able to contribute towards your company, the engineering profession and the community. A mentor can challenge you to enhance your performance and provide valuable guidance and motivation.

 

If you are just starting out working towards registration or have got part way through and find yourself stuck on something, then a mentor could help you. Mentors can offer a fresh perspective, help you plan your development and act as a sounding board to help you find solutions to challenges. Often mentoring relationships can last several months or even years.

 

Many companies have mentoring schemes in place. Alternatively, you can apply for an IET volunteer mentor through the IET’s Mentoring Service. Visit our website for details and to download the application form www.theiet.org/mentee.

 

Professional Registration Advisor (PRA)

 

A PRA can review your application and advise whether you are ready to apply for professional registration. If you are unsure which category of registration is most appropriate for you they can advise you. They can also advise on the presentation of your application.

 

If you have your application drafted and would like someone to look over it before you submit it, contacting a PRA is a good idea. In fact, the IET strongly recommend this. Of course, a PRA is unable to guarantee the successful outcome of your application – that is subject to the registration assessment process – but they can provide feedback as to whether your application needs further work or looks ready for submission.

 

Contacting a PRA is simple. Visit our website www.theiet.org/advice and enter your location to find details of your nearest PRA. Then, complete the online form with details of your query and if appropriate attach your CV or draft registration application form.

 

Both the IET mentor and PRA roles are undertaken by IET members who volunteer their time freely to help other members.

 

This post was written by Caroline Shipp, Product Owner - CPD, IET