Our Business Development Team welcome the next generation of professional engineers at University visits

Autumn is always a busy time in the IMechE calendar, particularly for the BDT as they visit Universities and apprentice training providers to recruit students and apprentices starting out on their careers.

Undergraduates and apprentices are entitled to avail of affiliate membership free of charge for the duration of their degree course or apprenticeship. This brings many benefits and our role is to clearly explain what those benefits are and how to access and use them says Sandra Mulligan, Senior Business Development Manager. ‘We highlight how taking part in the Challenge Events can allow them to develop a portfolio of skills which can help their CV’s. Or, how they can save money by using the Library postal loan service instead of purchasing a text book. We love to see the lightbulb moments when someone, who has never heard of IMechE before our talk, understands that the Institution will be there for them, providing support throughout their studies and beyond’.

The newest member of the team is Jack Arundel and he commented ‘I have really enjoyed touring the Universities, introducing students to the benefits of membership and professional registration. I find it very rewarding to know IMechE can help support/shape the futures of these young engineers. A key standout is often how keen the lecturer is to get strong messages across to their students, even at such an early stage. They often follow my presentation with their own experiences and how beneficial membership has been to them.

YMP members are also a fantastic help, students definitely connect with those they can see have recently been through a similar experience to the one they are embarking on.

I have found that despite being in 1^st year, students already have one eye on 'life after university'. Questions on the job market and the competitiveness within industry are common during my talks. This shows that even at the very beginning of their journeys, students are keen to succeed as engineers. Professional registration catches their interest as a way of proving their worth to future employers and setting themselves apart from the competition.’

If you would like to have a presentation to your students, face to face or virtually, please contact the team bdt@imeche.org