My greatest achievement is sitting and passing my Professional Review interview and Incorporated-Member exam. It required a lot of time and effort to prepare and I was extremely pleased that I passed.
How would you define structural engineering?
Structural engineers design the skeleton of a building or bridge to ensure that it is strong enough to stand up when different loads are applied to it. Loads can be gravity, wind, earthquake or traffic and each needs to make it’s way through the structure via the beams/columns etc down into the foundations. A structural engineer will figure out the size and type of element needed to resist the applied loads, and co-ordinate this with other parties - such as architects and civil engineers.
Who should become a structural engineer?
Structural engineering is suited to all kinds people. The skills required vary depending on the type of project.
Overall you need to be practical, logical, curious and considerate for connected trades. You also need a keen interest in maths and physics. Drawing is an important part of structural engineering so the ability to sketch ideas is also really important.
If you have a passion for structures, whether skyscrapers to stadiums through to bridges and small house extensions, you should be a structural engineer.
What does Incorporated-Membership mean for your career?
Incorporated-Membership provided a good stepping stone for my career path to progress to Chartered Membership.
The exam requires a lot of preparation and reading. Although I had quite a bit of experience, there were still areas where I had to learn a lot of information in order to sit the exam. I never had a mentor but I had brilliant support from a colleague who was sitting the Chartered Membership exam at the time. This definitely helped to motivate and support my learning.
How do you interact with the Institution?
I have attended local technical lectures through my Regional Group and the annual hot pot supper, plus courses at HQ in London. I particular found the one day exam prep course really good - Peter Gardiner and David Lowe gave valuable advice.
I accessed the IStructE library and technical notes whilst preparing for the Professional Review interview and Incorporated-Membership exam, all of which I found very useful. I was able to learn about areas of structural engineering which don’t feature regularly in my day to day work.