IMechE vs IET

[shirt]

My background is that I graduated with an MEng in Aerospace Engineering but graduated in the wake of the industry wide crash (excuse the pun) post 9/11. I ended up in heavy industry for 8yrs then emigrated, I have been in the energy sector for the last 13 in design, installation/commissioning management and PM roles.

Currently unemployed post redundancy. In this region there is an expectation of chartership for senior roles, especially if moving out of engineering into more generalized leadership. Construction is also the leading sector and one my peers believe is open to me given my background. O&G is out.

I would like to move into a senior technical project management role. My career history supports this and is where I’ve found the most enjoyment to date (PE building power stations in developing nations). Hence looking to become chartered to help open doors.

Just wondering what the consensus is as to whether the IMechE or IET would be the better bet? Any insight into how each is viewed/respected, application process etc. would be most welcome.

I already have the backing of 2 IMechE CEngs for their part in the application. I know one IET and believe I could find another within my immediate network.

Edited by shirt on Monday 26th August 21:10

[Regbuser]

IMechE over IET

[balise]

MIET here and work in an industry that has lots of both. I’d say that there’s no difference, only being chartered mattters.

The IMechE has more events that I can go to and network.

[Sycamore]

Slight thread deviation - Which is "easier"?

I believe I have all the requirements for IEng with IMechE. I have a degree, and 12 years working in engineering.
The various chartered, incorporated, doctors, fellows at work all agree with me.

The IMechE however are being a pain about it, wanting ever growing proof of my work-based experiences, which as far as I can see from their own literature isn't really relevant as I meet all the academic requirements through my degree alone, however they want the work stuff to see if I meet the academic requirements.... Repeat over and over.

I suspect it's luck of the draw who you end up looking over your paperwork.

I'm getting a little tired of it, so have given the IET a quick look. Ultimately in the interests of SQEP it's having the IEng that's the important bit for me, not the organisation it's with, within reason.

A lot of paperwork for some letters after your name

[mcdjl]

And a few hundred quid. So you can get discount when you attend their training courses and if you happen to be in London during the week visit the HQ. Not that I'm disillusioned with the imeche

[shirt]

Sycamore said:

Slight thread deviation - Which is "easier"?

I believe I have all the requirements for IEng with IMechE. I have a degree, and 12 years working in engineering.
The various chartered, incorporated, doctors, fellows at work all agree with me.

The IMechE however are being a pain about it, wanting ever growing proof of my work-based experiences, which as far as I can see from their own literature isn't really relevant as I meet all the academic requirements through my degree alone, however they want the work stuff to see if I meet the academic requirements.... Repeat over and over.

I suspect it's luck of the draw who you end up looking over your paperwork.

I'm getting a little tired of it, so have given the IET a quick look. Ultimately in the interests of SQEP it's having the IEng that's the important bit for me, not the organisation it's with, within reason.

A lot of paperwork for some letters after your name

Why IEng over CEng? Main difference aiui is for the latter you should have managerial experience also.

I had a chat with the overseas BDM for IMechE. For chartership with them I only need to submit the application which is a brief (1000 word) ‘I did this’ summation of my career history. Assuming I hit all the competencies then it’s a local board interview. One of my sponsors says when he did his, the panel consisted of 2 guys who worked in logistics and the third in a financial role.

So yes I think it does depend on the luck of the draw but doesn’t seem that the application is difficult.

I’ve yet to look into the IET in any great detail but consensus amongst those I’ve asked, both inside and outside my industry, say IMechE is better as it’s the one everyone’s heard of and simply being chartered makes more of a difference than who it’s with.

FWIW I agree in principle with your last sentence and that the institute itself does very little for its members. But out here you don’t even get looked at for basic roles without a degree or senior roles without chartership, so seems a worthwhile exercise in that context.

[Sycamore]

shirt said:

Why IEng over CEng? Main difference aiui is for the latter you should have managerial experience also.

That's pretty much why

I'm on-the-tools so to speak, even if that tool is a laptop. I don't have managerial experience nor do I want it.
IEng is ok for the SQEP perspective (nuclear) on where I'd like to be for now.

[shirt]

If you have people reporting to you, or have responsibility for system design/operation, then that counts as your managerial experience. If you always get told what to do and just implement the work of others, then yes IEng is the one. Otherwise the effort of applying is the same as CEng so go for that?

It’s worth speaking to one of their BDM’s if you can, the guy I spoke to was very good at demystifying the process.

[fozzymandeus]

It doesn’t make a jot of difference except for access to CPD; and if you’re eligible for MIMechE and MIET you can just get chartered / incorporated through one and be a member of both.

I’m chartered through the Nuclear Institute and have worked in management roles across nuclear and non-nuclear projects.

[pete_esp]

shirt said:

Sycamore said:

Slight thread deviation - Which is "easier"?

I believe I have all the requirements for IEng with IMechE. I have a degree, and 12 years working in engineering.
The various chartered, incorporated, doctors, fellows at work all agree with me.

The IMechE however are being a pain about it, wanting ever growing proof of my work-based experiences, which as far as I can see from their own literature isn't really relevant as I meet all the academic requirements through my degree alone, however they want the work stuff to see if I meet the academic requirements.... Repeat over and over.

I suspect it's luck of the draw who you end up looking over your paperwork.

I'm getting a little tired of it, so have given the IET a quick look. Ultimately in the interests of SQEP it's having the IEng that's the important bit for me, not the organisation it's with, within reason.

A lot of paperwork for some letters after your name

Why IEng over CEng? Main difference aiui is for the latter you should have managerial experience also.

I asked about differentiating the IEng vs the CEng at my CEng interview as those with only BEng (hons) were supposed to go IEng & MEng graduates were supposed to be CEng the reason being "The Uni's approached us to get our help in screwing money out of their students for another year" If my interviewers hadn't shown such obvious disgust at this I would've told them there and then where to shove the chartership.

I got my CEng despite only having a BEng (Hons), it's only made a difference in starting up my own business as it adds gravitas otherwise it's been completely useless in my main career.