Page 42 - Gi flipbook March 2018

IGEM NEWS | IGEM Membership

WHY IGEM?

What are the benefits of IGEM membership? How can it help your career path? What do our
members get out of being part of our organisation? The answers to these questions and more,
straight from the engineers’ mouths

“IT’S GREAT FOR YOUR CV” where I wanted to live. The dates just reinforced the message that I do have
Andy Middleton so happened to coincide with the Sir what it takes.
Lead Integrity Engineer, Northern Denis Rooke Memorial Lecture, which
Gas Networks (NGN) I’d seen advertised in Gi and in Flame,
but usually ignored because it was “IGEM HELPED ME BECOME
half a world away. A CHARTERED ENGINEER”
The mere effort in turning up and David McLeod
talking to a few people opened more Engineering Operations
doors than I could have dreamed. I Manager, SGN
spoke to some lovely people who
were willing to take my CV and
share it around. It led to two
interviews and ultimately my job at
Wales & West Utilities.
I entered the Young Persons Paper
Competition in my first year (again, an
I’m trying to get younger members of event I had seen pop up but wasn’t
my staff to join IGEM so I can show able to attend in previous years), won
them it’s not a stuffy old men’s club. my Section heat and competed in the
Younger members need to delve into final. What a day and what a
the industry more and IGEM competition! It was so inspiring to see
membership exposes them to the so many people my age in the gas One of my long-term goals was to
whole business. Not to mention, the industry doing clever and complicated obtain Chartered Engineer status,
networking opportunities are ideal for things. It was pointed out at the event which I was granted in 2016, and my
finding out about all aspects of the that there was a lack of affiliation with IGEM played a huge
industry. You get to meet people from representation from the South West part in achieving this.
other areas of the industry, it and Wales Sections on the Young The membership benefits IGEM
develops you, it builds your Persons Network committee, so I offers are wide-ranging and everyone
confidence and it’s great for your CV. stepped up, along with Tom James. In has their own favourites, but you will
For jobhunters, being an IGEM 2017, that led to assisting at the YPPC only get out of it what you are willing
member and being able to show that and facilitating the event. to put in.
you play an active part gives you an I wouldn’t have achieved my goals if
edge over the competition, because it I hadn’t asked to join my local Section
means you have demonstrated your committee, participated in late night
commitment to the industry. technical paper evenings or stepped
out of my comfort zone and
challenged myself to participate in
“I GOT A JOB THROUGH both the YPPC and Travelling
AN IGEM EVENT” Fellowship Competition.
Pip Wrenn I’ve had the opportunity to develop
Asset Strategy Engineer, Wales & my engineering and management skills
West Utilities (WWU) and I would say that my membership
I went to my first IGEM AGM because has consequently helped my career
everyone was going for the hour After two years, I am still on the progression within SGN, supporting
between a conference finish and YPN, but I’m also South West Section the various roles I have been in.
drinks. I asked a question at the end of Chair. I wasn’t quite prepared for how There are many avenues you can
the AGM on whether I was much work it would be, but it is explore as an IGEM member. I would
represented on the committee as a amazing experience and has done encourage everyone who works in this
graduate member. The answer was: wonders for the ‘serial networking’ gas industry to join and participate in
“Not currently... do you want to be?” skills I am now mastering. Section events, make their presence
And the rest is history. Gaining CEng registration through known, engage with fellow members
I spent four years on the combined IGEM and the Engineering Council, and challenge themselves beyond
NZIGE and NZIGEM committee, the with its international recognition, their capabilities. The more interest
last two as Secretary. In 2014, I moved meant a lot to me and my career that you show in this ever-evolving
to the UK with no job, nowhere to development. This was a career- industry, the better your career
sleep and no particular affinity for defining moment for me, and outcomes are destined to be. ■

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