What/who inspired you to become an engineer?
It is difficult to actually say what inspired me, however, as a young boy I always enjoyed making things, model gliders and boats, taking my bicycle apart, and then rebuilding it. My father was a carpenter, so I suppose some of his skills rubbed off on to me. I never had any thoughts of carrying on in education after obtaining my General Certificates of Education (GCEs) and Certificates of Secondary Education (CSEs), so I applied for jobs, left school at 16 and started an apprenticeship at Marconi Radar. I never had any plan or idea of where I wanted to go, or what I wanted to do, so I really fell into an engineering career. But in saying that, I have enjoyed the engineering journey I’ve been on, and though I probably have not taken the usual route to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng), I’ve always been employed since leaving school. All my further education has been by part-time study, gaining the theory side and practical side throughout my career. I achieved Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status after getting my BSc in about 2000 and Chartered status after obtaining my MSc in 2011.
Please describe your role within the workplace.
I am an Electrical and Instrumentation Consultant at a medium-sized engineering consultancy company, working in the oil and gas industry.
What is the most challenging aspect of your role?
I’m on a competent design authorities register, for the gas distribution and transmission companies in the UK, and registered as a design approver and appraiser, for the disciplines of electrical, instrumentation and software, including hazardous area equipment and safety related applications. I’ve been on the register since about 2000. This involves approving and appraising designs, mainly from other design houses. The challenges are to make constructive comments with regard to the design, to ensure that it complies with the client’s specifications and legislation, while trying not to impose preferential engineering, as there is always more than one way to carry out a design and still meet the requirements.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your role?
Some of the most enjoyable aspects are delving into new technology, producing new designs and researching ─ something that gets the grey matter working. Coming up with new spreadsheets and ways to make life easy is also a pleasure.
What is the biggest career highlight or achievement you’re most proud of?
Obtaining my research degree, which I started in my late forties, was a personal and professional achievement. I did this on a part-time basis, over a period of six-and-a-half years, and reduced my working week to four days to allow me to attend university one day a week. This was a long and challenging commitment ─ my research degree was in nano engineering, totally different to my day-to-day activities at work. I believe the research processes which I went through during this period have made me a more rounded engineer.
Why did you choose to become professionally registered?
Job progression was the main contributor to becoming professionally registered. The more senior the role, the more it becomes a prerequisite. Although nothing can replace experience, it does demonstrate competence within your field and has enabled me to apply for jobs I couldn’t have otherwise.
I would recommend professional registration because…
Registration has allowed me to apply for positions that I would not have been able to without it. Professional registration demonstrates the level of competence that I have reached in my engineering discipline.
What career advice would you give to your younger self?
Have a goal which you want to achieve and ensure that you have a clear pathway to reaching this. When I left school at 16 I had no idea of what I wanted to do or where I wanted to work. I sort of fell into my line of work , and I’m a bit lucky because I enjoy what I’m doing, but I sometimes think I could have achieved more and earlier if I had a clear pathway to follow.
Do you participate in mentoring, volunteering, or membership of other engineering groups?
I was a member of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM), Gas Transmission and Distribution Committee, but have stood down from this. At present, I am chairing a panel which is updating a standard for IGEM; some of the work is in my own time, and Premtech supports some. I have recently been nominated to the BSI GEL/65 committee, where I will provide input into the review and updating of British / international standards. This work is all voluntary. I am also a member of a couple of special interest groups with the Institute of Measurement and Control.
If relevant, please list three favourite projects you have worked on:
1. Renewable energy E&I Kiosk
2. Pressure Override Controller
3. New gas connection E&I detailed designs
