I recently won a year’s graduate membership to the IED, which is lovely, but have found it very quiet and inactive. They have a forum but its very underdeveloped and seldom used.

I was just curious if anyone has applied for membership to a similar institute (IED, IMechE etc), and what benefits you have found from being involved.

In a nut-shell, are they worth the expense and hassle of application and membership?

 

I used to be a IED graduate member many years ago, but let it lapse. An institution is probably great if you want to pursue some professional qualification (e.g. become chartered), but I'm not sure if it will make much difference to your pay packet ultimately. Does anyone disagree or know otherwise here on this forum? I'm pretty sure my employer wouldn't give a damn if I'm chartered or not! I suppose it would look nice on a CV and might give a competitive edge when doing job applications.

 

The main credentials people look for are degrees and whether you're a P.E./P. Eng/chartered engineer. Once you get your registration and any advanced degrees, then the additional items may or may not discriminate you from others. As a consultant...unless those additional credentials are needed (ie, a Fellow of SAE for automotive or aero work), then its not a big deal.

 

Ahhh! This is interesting. I was just debating if it was worth joining the IED or to rejoin IMechE.

I used to be a member of CSD and IMechE but found them of little benefit as all the events were in London. I think the IED is more suitable for product designers / engineers but I don't see a lot of 'local activity'. As you say Pete - if not many members are using the IED forum then feeling 'part of it' is difficult. That is why MDF is great

I suppose for someone starting out these professional bodies can look good on a CV but they have limited networking value if you can't get up to London once a month or whatever. I also agree that for a in-house designer membership can be good for career development. Becoming chartered could be a great advantage in looking for the next job but it all costs money.

As I now own a small consultancy I was also thinking of joining the DBA (at least they have regional groups for networking). I suppose it just comes down to what you want from a membership.

PS IMechE does have a good magazine

 

I have been a member of ASME for several years and now recently with NSPE. I certainly do not use the services to their fullest potential, but I also question the real benefits of any of these professional organizations. The training courses, seminars and conventions are very expensive in my opinion, especially so for individuals. I joined ASME while in college and have continued membership mostly for the networking aspect, but the recent onslaught of blogs and forums like these makes me question that logic.

 

Institutions vary but I value highly both the Royal Aeronautical Society and the IMechE as means of keeping in touch (all engineers need to rub along with others outside their everyday contacts in order to remain effective) and as means of stimulation and fun. Both the RAeS and IMechE offer conferences, training seminars and evening lecturers (many are open) which not only are technically valuable but are also great networking opportunities. Chartered accreditation, offered to suitably qualified members, is also important for some but the real satisfaction comes from membership of a committee or group within the institutions in which one can influence policy (government as well as that of the institution itself) and bounce ideas off like-minded and, dare I say, very bright colleagues. It's the usual story - the more you put in, the more you get out.

 

I belong to ASME for last 35 years in chicago area. We get togathar every month and listen to a speaker on new topics or visit a local manufacturing facility. This is a great tools to keep in touch with your Enginnering group and skills.