Rejoin Options

You need to think about what your priorities are. The content of the institution’s magazine probably isn’t a good guide and you can gain access to anything via the right library (such as The IET). If you want to meet with other engineers in your locality, go on visits or participate in events, these are often shared. Is professional registration of value to you?  

 

Are you aware of the “Wiring Matters” section of the IET Website and Magazine aimed at electrical contracting. If you dig a little deeper there are many resources on Electrical Power Engineering and IET is clearly the natural home for engineers of this persuasion (my own background). I later also worked for a business with close CIBSE connections and they produce an impressive range of good quality information and guidance. Their “American Cousin” is ASHRAE since historically CIBSE is “mechanical”, although their material on lighting is as good as any, with electrical coverage sufficient for most building services engineers, since the UK national standards for buildings are set by IET anyway. On the minor negative side (in the UK at least) it is “consultant dominated” (rather than contractors or O&M engineers) and Incorporated Engineer is aligned with associate membership (like the AMIEE you held) although you can get MCIBSE without being Chartered.

 

I can’t comment on IEEE because I have no experience, but the other UK based bodies you mention are quite small and limited in capability. For me it would be a straight choice between IET & CIBSE. IET is bigger, broader, stronger (especially in electrical engineering generally) and more inclusive in attitude, but CIBSE has much to commend it and might be a good option for you.                 

   

You need to think about what your priorities are. The content of the institution’s magazine probably isn’t a good guide and you can gain access to anything via the right library (such as The IET). If you want to meet with other engineers in your locality, go on visits or participate in events, these are often shared. Is professional registration of value to you?  

 

Are you aware of the “Wiring Matters” section of the IET Website and Magazine aimed at electrical contracting. If you dig a little deeper there are many resources on Electrical Power Engineering and IET is clearly the natural home for engineers of this persuasion (my own background). I later also worked for a business with close CIBSE connections and they produce an impressive range of good quality information and guidance. Their “American Cousin” is ASHRAE since historically CIBSE is “mechanical”, although their material on lighting is as good as any, with electrical coverage sufficient for most building services engineers, since the UK national standards for buildings are set by IET anyway. On the minor negative side (in the UK at least) it is “consultant dominated” (rather than contractors or O&M engineers) and Incorporated Engineer is aligned with associate membership (like the AMIEE you held) although you can get MCIBSE without being Chartered.

 

I can’t comment on IEEE because I have no experience, but the other UK based bodies you mention are quite small and limited in capability. For me it would be a straight choice between IET & CIBSE. IET is bigger, broader, stronger (especially in electrical engineering generally) and more inclusive in attitude, but CIBSE has much to commend it and might be a good option for you.