When engineers think about career development, there can often be a focus on building technical skills, gaining experience and keeping up with industry trends. But there’s another factor that can have a significant impact on career success: your professional network.
For Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year winner Patrick Puddefoot MIEAust, building a professional network played an important role in his career journey. After moving from regional Queensland to Sydney following university, he found that Engineers Australia helped him connect with the broader engineering community.
Patrick credits Engineers Australia’s conferences, webinars, CPD events and networking opportunities with helping him establish himself in a new city and profession.
“The community that I've been a part of in Sydney and my involvement with Young Engineers Australia has really helped grow my career and opened up lots of opportunities for me.”
Professional connections can also provide support during major career transitions. After moving to Australia, sustainability leader and Chartered engineer Fatima Hammad MIEAust CPEng faced the challenge of rebuilding her professional network while balancing life as a young mother. She credits Engineers Australia with helping her connect with industry peers and supporting her path into the Australian engineering workforce.
“The sense of community that Engineers Australia gives you as an engineering professional makes you feel connected not just within your company, but across the industry.”
Building those connections doesn't happen by accident. Patrick's advice to early-career engineers is simple:
“Put yourself out there. Meet as many people as you can. Grow your own network, and you'll be surprised at what can come from it.”
Whether through technical events, professional development, volunteering opportunities, mentoring or local communities, Engineers Australia helps members build relationships that can support their careers at every stage. Because while technical skills help engineers solve problems, strong professional connections can help create opportunities.
Build your network with Engineers Australia membership. Join by 30 September and save $110. Unlock access to professional development, networking events, technical resources and a community of more than 140,000 engineers.
Visit: engaus.org/getsaving