How to Network as an Engineer: A Personal Journey

A Networking Event

As an engineer carving my path in a competitive industry, one aspect that has consistently proven to be the secret ingredient to success is networking . The power of connecting with peers, mentors, and industry professionals has not only opened doors I never knew existed but has also significantly shaped my career trajectory. In this blog post, I aim to delve into the significance of networking for engineers, drawing from my personal experiences and highlighting the transformative effect it can have on one's professional journey.

The Magic of Connections

Networking, often misunderstood as mere socializing, is in reality a strategic tool that engineers must wield skillfully. Imagine a scenario where a chance encounter at a conference leads to a conversation with a seasoned engineer who later refers you to a job opportunity perfectly tailored to your skill set. Networking is, in essence, about creating meaningful connections that go beyond the surface level.

Networking begins before you graduate! Do not make the mistake of waiting until you start a job to find people that will help you level up. See my post on accelerating your career before graduation here. If you have already made it into the workplace, now is better than never to start accelerating your career propsects through effective networking. Here are two important places you can meet new seasoned engineers, managers, and recruiters to get started building your network:

1. At your current company! Be sure to get to know people in different departments and teams because they could have projects that you'd prefer to do or specialisms in different areas that you would like to gain experiences in. This type of networking is even more valuable at international consultancies and other large companies, where an environment that promotes employees moving around the organisation is routine. This could lead to you working on projects across the world, including travel to client sites, and picking up a plethora of new skills and experiences without ever having to move jobs. So don't be shy when cold messaging people in other teams that interest you, and don't be afraid to reach out to internal talent acquisition for help moving teams because they would rather their talent move internally than leave!
   

2. Professional training courses. These could be training courses with The Welding Institute (TWI), with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), or any other engineering institutions where you can pay to get certifieid in a new field, methodology, or job role. Attending these courses in person will introduce you to the instructor, who is someone that has immense experience in the field of engineering that you are trying to get certified in. Be double sure to stay after class and ask them questions about what they are doing with their career, if they have their own business, and maybe even some questions that you have about the prospects you could expect from receiving the certification. These instructors can really give you some excellent ideas toadd to your career strategy. Secondly, the other attendees! People attending these professional courses have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Try to approach people during the lunch break, before, and after class to get a sense of what they are doing with their careers and why they are trying to get the certification.

I cannot stress how VALUABLE actively engaging with these two activities is to your career development.

Once you have met people, make sure you add them on platforms like Linkedin to continue the conversation. Linkedin is a great way to passively build familiarity and a sense of connection to someone without having to constantly talk to them. On a professional platform like Linkedin, it is a way of observing how a person wishes to present themselves to their community and what they care about. So be sure to engage with posts using features such as likes, comments, and shares! If you show an interest in the posts of your network, they are more likely to engage with your posts too, which is great for building your personal brand as an engineer and increasing the likelihood of people reaching out to you with opportunities.

Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers

For young engineers stepping into the industry, networking serves as a bridge between aspiration and achievement. It enables you to tap into a wealth of knowledge, gain insight into industry trends, and even seek mentorship from professionals who have navigated the very path you aspire to. By breaking the barriers of isolation and expanding your circle, you open doors to new opportunities and pathways you may not have considered.

You do not always have to meet people in person to network though. I have built some of my greatest connections through Linkedin alone, providing me with the most incredible opportunities simply because i reached out cold one day. Build your network by typing in relevant job roles and finding people that are in those jobs to connect with. Choose companies of interest and add staff members doing jobs that you want to be doing too! This is a great way to get noticed, build allies within an organisation you want to move to, and build engagement with people that share similar career paths to you. Don't just stop at people doing job roles that you want though, add recruiters that specialise in industries that you want to work in, add internal acquistion at companies you want to work for, add operations managers and engineering directors who are responsible for hiring people and programmes! Diversity is key to building an exhaustive network. Everybody can help you in some way, and you can make yourself available to help them too. After all, they may be looking for top talent and if you are known and capable, you've just made their job easier for them.

A Collaborative Journey

In the world of engineering, collaboration is key. Networking lays the foundation for fruitful collaborations that can lead to groundbreaking innovations. By interacting with professionals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, you gain fresh perspectives, spark creativity, and foster a collaborative spirit that is essential for tackling complex engineering challenges.

As engineers, our journey of growth is perpetual, and networking acts as a catalyst for this growth. Engaging with industry experts exposes you to continuous learning opportunities, whether through workshops, seminars, or simply engaging in conversations that broaden your horizons. The insights gained from networking not only enhance your technical skills but also nurture your professional development holistically.

Networking pushes you out of your comfort zone, encouraging you to step into unfamiliar territories and explore uncharted paths. It challenges you to articulate your ideas, communicate your value proposition, and present yourself authentically in a sea of professionals. By embracing the unknown, engineers can discover hidden talents, uncover new passions, and ultimately chart a course that aligns with their aspirations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the importance of networking for engineers cannot be overstated. It is a dynamic force that propels individuals towards growth, connects disparate dots to form a cohesive professional network, and unlocks a myriad of opportunities that would otherwise remain undiscovered. So, to my fellow engineers out there, I urge you to embrace networking wholeheartedly, for within those connections and collaborations lie the seeds of your future success.

Next time you're at a conference or industry event, strike up a conversation with a stranger, attend that networking mixer, or reach out to that professional you admire – you never know where that connection may lead you!

** Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the author of this post, on this blog and community are solely his own and do not reflect the views of any past, present, or future employers or any other organisations with which he is associated. The content here is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice. **