Institution news
He accompanied his mum, Flight Lieutentant Kat Potts, to her interview to become registered as a CEng member. Kat impressed the panel with her skills and experience and has now been elected as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
We asked Kat about her career and her experience of the interview.
Q: Please tell us about your career in the RAF
Kat Potts (KP): I have been in the Royal Air Force as an Engineering Officer (Aerosystems) for almost 10 years. During this time I have fulfilled the roles of:
- Officer in Command of Typhoon Survival Equipment Flight
- Junior Engineering Officer on Chinook 18 Squadron
- an engineering authority on the Unmanned Air Systems Team within Defence Equipment and Support.
Q: What does being a CEng mean to you?
KP: Becoming a CEng is important to me because it is about achieving a level of professionalism that is recognised by all engineers, in all industries. I believe that as professional engineers, we are always seeking opportunities to develop and grow, and having clear standards to meet, provides direction to achieve this.
“If I could offer advice to anyone in a similar position to mine, it would be to say that the IMechE and my sponsors were incredibly supportive and you shouldn't assume that there are barriers in your way to achieving professional registration.
Kat Potts, CEng
Q: What are your plans now that you are a CEng member?
KP: I will be leaving the Royal Air Force next year and I will be looking for my next professional challenge. I don't know exactly what this next challenge will be yet but I am exploring roles that would allow me to continue to learn, develop, and hold greater responsibility. I have aspirations of being a Fellow in the future and I would like a role that allows me to achieve this. I would also like to become a STEM ambassador and encourage young children to have a passion for problem solving and understanding of how things work. I strongly believe that this love for learning starts at a very young age and is the only way that we will have a truly diverse range of engineers, in the future.
Q: What was it like having an interview with your baby?
KP: My sponsors had helped me prepare for the interview and the interview panel made me feel very comfortable, which meant that it felt more like a conversation, than an interview. It was interesting to hear the experiences of engineers who work in different industries as well. I was fortunate that my son was asleep in the sling, so I had my number one supporter, giving me a great big hug throughout. His occasional sleepy noises were noticed at the beginning but soon become relaxing background noises.
Q: How are you and Edward doing?
KP: We are both doing well, my maternity leave seems to be going extremely quickly and it feels like it won't be long until the next chapter begins for us.