IET Sussex - Younger Members

Welcome to the IET Sussex Younger Members Website and welcome to the 2007/8 events season!

The IET Younger Members committee aims to help young people with an interest in engineering and technology to further their career and to network with other like-minded individuals. Generally we do this by staging a series of events throughout the year which will be applicable to different people in different stages of their career. We also aim to have a few social events so that we can all just have a laugh and a chat and share ideas and experiences.

Get in touch!

Last year we asked our members to complete a survey to tell us what type of events they’d like to see but unfortunately very few people completed it. Therefore some of this years events have been based on the survey but others have been included because the committee thought they would be useful. If you want to have your say then please complete the survey by:

clicking here

The IET and the Younger Members committee is not an exclusive club – it’s for anyone who has an interest in engineering and technology. Our aim is to get as many people as possible involved in our activities. Therefore, if there’s something you think we should be doing but we’re not then just get in touch! We’ve included our mug shots on this website so that you can come and harass us at events so don’t be scared to come along and say hello!

This year’s events!

Traditionally our events kick off around September/October time with some recruitment events and then finish in June with a fun end of year social. We’re looking forward to seeing all of you at least once throughout the year. The full list of events, with links to registration details, can now be found in the right hand column of this site or alternatively at:

Upcoming – IET Sussex Events

It may differ slightly from the A6 programme booklet which you may have received in the post but this is the most up to date version.

Please take 30 seconds to complete our survey and have your say on what we should be doing for you:

Click here

The events which we have scheduled are based on activities which we thought would be useful. However, what we really want to do is run activities which you want to participate in (a list of the IET events on offer can be found below). Therefore you need to get in touch with us and tell us what would be beneficial. The best way to get in touch is to email us at yms.sussex@theiet.org. Please let us know what events or activities you want us to run and whether you are interested in becoming a member of the committee. We would particularly like to hear from people who would have previously joined the IIE such as apprentices and technicians.

There will be a link here to our quick 30 second questionnaire to gather some information from you very soon!

Welcome to the IET Sussex Younger Members blog. The idea of creating a blog was dreamt up by Dave, Michael, Jon & Chris while working on our paper based newsletter. It provides an electronic version of the newsletters contents along with links to various sites that may be of interest to younger engineers in the Sussex area. We’ll try to keep it up to date so please stop buy once a month or subscribe to our RSS feed if you’re that way inclined.

The reason for doing this is that we are a relatively new and inexperienced committee and therefore we want to introduce ourselves to you. That way you can come and badger us at any given opportunity and hopefully you’ll recognise us at events and lectures. Possibly more importantly, we want to get you guys out there involved. We need to know what events you want us to run and what you would like to see us doing and providing for you. That way we can put on some useful sessions rather than wasting our time on events that no one will turn up to.

As you’re all aware, the IET is formed of the previous IEE and IIE. However, all of the current IET Sussex YMS Committee Members are former members of the IEE. Therefore we would be really grateful if previous IIE members were to get involved. Let us know who you are and what events you want organising!

Anyway, enough of my rambling; hopefully you’ll find this information useful and I look forward to seeing you at some of our events!

Please note that these are the latest dates and times. Some of them may have changed slightly from the ones published in “the yellow booklet”!

IET Younger Members Event: Route to Professional Registration: CEng, IEng, EngTech,

8th February 2007, 6.30 for 7 pm. Joint with IMechE Younger Members. University of Brighton Cockroft Building, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ Speakers Lisa Mortiboy (IET) and Claire Ritchie (IMechE). To register for this event please email dreid@theiet.org

Graduated? Not sure of the next step? Or are you still studying and want to find out more about steps to professional registration? Topics will include academic requirements, further learning, training requirements, UK-SPEC, guidance on completing application forms, industry competence profiles. The speakers will also be able to give advice on individual cases.

IET Younger Members Event: The Great Electric Egg Race

Thursday 15/03/2007, 17.30 to 20.30 University of Brighton Cockroft Building, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ

Sussex School students compete to build a device using limited components capable of transporting an egg. The challenge changes every year. The event is open to years 11 and 12. Entry forms are available to download from www.setpointsussex.org.uk or by emailing them at setpointsussex@brighton.ac.uk.

IET sponsored event: Undergraduate final year student projects exhibition day

Wednesday 18/04/2007, 12.30 to 16.00 University of Brighton Cockroft Building, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ. Prior registration is essential with Dr Dal Koshal d.koshal@brighton.ac.uk

The school of engineering at the University of Brighton will hold its annual Project Exhibition Day at which final year students display their projects involving both hardware and software. Most projects are industry or research based and cover a wide range of disciplines, ranging through all aspects of mechanical, manufacturing, electrical and electronic engineering.

Paintballing: IMechE Younger Members Vs. IET Younger Members

21st April 2007, arrive at 9:00 AM; Games commence 9:30 AM. Holmbush Farm, Crawley Road, Faygate, Nr. Horsham, W. Sussex, RH12 4SE. Website: www.holmbushpaintball.co.uk

Would you like to be part of answering the age-old question of who is the best between Mechanical Engineers and Electrical Engineers? Join us for a FULL DAY of Paintballing where the answer will finally be revealed. The event is taking place at The Holmbush Combat Fields, the UK’s premier Paintball site. It will begin with a talk on the technology of the equipment that will be used and will be followed with multiple games on 12 distinct combat fields from dense woodland with specially designed structures and buildings to open-plan fields. This activity will provide opportunities to work as a team and network with members from each Institution. The subsidised cost is £10, which includes all required kit and 100 paintballs to get you started. Additional paint balls and lunch can be purchased from the venue. 60 places are available, 30 from each Institution. Let the battle commence. To become part of the IET team, please email yms.sussex@theiet.org. Registration is essential; you can’t just turn up on the day!

IET Younger Members Event: Present Around the World (previously Short Papers Competition)

10/05/07, 18.00 to 21.00 University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QT

This event gives you the chance to raise your profile, build your confidence, practice your presentation skills and at the same time make some money! It may be a good opportunity to practice your final year project presentation or graduate training scheme presentation. You must be prepared to make a short 10 minute presentation with cash prizes on offer. The winner of the event will be entered into the national final and could go on to win more prizes. It is hoped to have six competitors for this event. If you want more information on this event, guidance sheets and an example of a judging form are available on our website or you can email us and we’ll send one to you. If you would like to enter this competition, please send a 150 word synopsis of your presentation to yms.sussex@theiet.org along with a brief description of yourself (to include name, age, degree, employment, current position and anything else you think we should know). This should be received no later than Friday 13th April.

IET Younger Members Event: End of Year social – Brewery Trip!

31/05/2007, 18.00 till late! Joint with IMechE Younger members. Hepworths Brewery, Nightingale Road, Horsham.

A trip paid for by the IET and IMechE around Hepworths Brewery in Horsham. For more details on the brewery go to www.thebeerstation.co.uk. The trip includes transport from Brighton University and back, a tour around the brewery, some beer and light refreshments. We are considering having an additional pick up in Crawley if there is interest. As the brewery is only small, places are limited to 12 per institution. If you would like to register for one of the IET places, please email yms.sussex@theiet.org. Registration is essential and you won’t be let in if you just turn up on the night.

Age: 24

Committee Role: Chairman

I Live in: Brighton

University and Degree: Sussex University, 2000 – 2004, MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Job: I currently work for EDF Energy Networks in the Planning department, designing the local electricity network. I started this job in May 2006 after completing their 18 month graduate training scheme.

How did you get involved with the IET? I got involved with the IEE at University and was recruited onto the YM committee through a work contact in 2005 and became the chairman of the younger members section.

Hobbies: Sailing, snowboarding, mountain biking, flying power kites and playing drums in a rock band!

Anything else to add? Well not really. Just that if you want to get involved then feel free to contact me. If you see me at work or anywhere else then say hello!

Age: 26

Committee Role: Committee Member

I Live in: Brighton

University and Degree: University of Strathclyde, 2003, MEng Electrical & Electronic Engineering with Business Studies

Job: I am currently a Senior Applications Engineer for BOC Edwards, following completion of 3½ years on the graduate training scheme. I work in the field of Predictive Diagnostics, designing and managing customer focused solutions that improve semiconductor process efficiency and service levels.

How did you get involved with the IET? I got involved in the IET (previously IEE) at University.

Hobbies: Football (Wivelsfield Green!), running, collecting/playing music (all genres, from vinyl to mp3)

Anything else to add? Not at the moment

Age: 25

Committee Role: Start-up Enterprise Rep

I Live in: Brighton

University and Degree: Sussex University, 2000 – 2004, BEng Electronic Engineering and Computer Science Sussex University, 2004 – Present, MSc Human Centred Computer systems

Job: Founder & Managing Director of Inuda Innovations Ltd., a start up technology development consultancy. I try to spend as much time as I can being an engineer and developing web-based applications for the healthcare community. The company also has interests in domestic power saving devices. Our long term goal is to create a business infrastructure that can support any engineer with a good idea to create a business you can really enjoy working within.

How did you get involved with the IET? Happily recruited by Dave Reid, from non-member to YM committee member in about a week. My interests in electronic engineering & software development as well as the promotion of engineering careers fit excellently with what the IET is all about.

Hobbies: Sailing, skiing, walking, travelling and anything to do with enterprise – turning ideas into successful ventures.

Anything else to add? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need to find those first few contacts that can help you get your own business or social enterprise off the ground. j.l.markwell@inuda.com

Age: 25

Committee Role: Committee Member

I Live in: Brighton

University and Degree: University of Sheffield, 1999-2003, MEng Mechanical Engineering

Job: I currently work as a Manufacturing Engineer for BOC Edwards with whom I started with in 2005 on their graduate development scheme. My current role is that of a Project Engineer, overseeing a number of product cost reduction exercises.

How did you get involved with the IET? I got involved with the IET through work, in 2005 and recently became a member of the Young Members Committee.

Hobbies: Football, Mountain Biking, Snowboarding and live music (watching rather than playing).

Anything else to add? Nothing to add at present.

Age: 25

Committee Role: West Country Rep!

I Live in: Bristol

University and Degree: University of Sussex, MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 1999 – 2004

Job: Development Engineer for BOC Edwards.

How did you get involved with the IET? I got involved with the Younger Members Committee in 2005 by getting in contact with them.

Hobbies: Skateboarding, Snowboarding, making music on my computer.

Anything else to add? As part of my training I have to do a year in Bristol which is where I’m currently based. However, I should be returning towards the end of 2007 and re-joining the committee.

Email:

yms.sussex@theiet.org

Website:

• www.ietsussex.org

• www.iee.org/oncomms/branches/uk/england/sussex

Post:

IET Sussex YM, C/O Inuda Innovations, Sussex Innovation Centre Brighton, BN1 9SB UK

Tel:

+44 (0) 1273 704 549, this will get you through to Inuda Innovations. Ask to speak to Jonathan Markwell or leave him a message.

University of Sussex:

Contact Dr John Torry, 01273 302341 j.n.torry@sussex.ac.uk

University of Brighton:

Contact Dr Dal Koshal, 01273 642328 d.koshal@brighton.ac.uk

The IET Head Office:

Savoy Place, London, WC2R 0BL, Tel: +44(0)20 7240 1871

postmaster@theiet.org

Here are things which we’ve found useful over the last couple of months:

EYE:

This stands for European Young Engineers. They are an organisation run by volunteers (so similar to the local IET branches!) to promote engineering and networking amongst engineers in Europe. They organise bi-annual conferences for young engineers to meet up, publish regular newsletters, and also have an extensive contact database. The IET has recently signed up to their charter and therefore any IET member is automatically a member of EYE. Check out their website for more information, to sign up for newsletters, and to register for the contact database. www.e-y-e.org

IET Forums:

Log onto the IET website, click on communities and go to discussion forums. This is a really useful place to ask questions about anything that you don’t know the answers to. There’s a specific section for students/graduates which is regularly visited senior members to share their knowledge, along with a variety of specialist subject areas. There is also a YM discussion forum which is currently underused. This would be a really useful area for Younger Members to discuss issues or problems if we could encourage more people to use it.

My IET:

When you log into the IET website, in the top left hand corner there is a button which says My IET. Click on this and go to Communications to make sure you’re receiving the correct emails, especially the local IET emails which are specifically targeted towards your area.

2 for 1 at Bella Pasta:

This is an offer which is available to all students if they introduce another student to the IET. The person who you introduce gets the same offer. Sweet! Contact us for more details.

Lifeskills events:

We are able to run a variety of these lifeskills events each year. The full list of events on offer is available at here. It includes amongst other things: CV workshop, negotiating skills, presentation skills, interpersonal skills, networking, self assessment of competence and loads more. We can also offer other events so email us and tell us what you’d like us to organise.

• 2005: Very little activity up till October when Adam joined the committee and went to the 2005 Younger Members conference in Glasgow to learn about how to run a YM network. Dave joined in November and somehow ended up becoming YM Chairman… Although events had been planned for the 2005/6 season by the former committee, no details of arrangements or what to do had been left for Adam and Dave but they still managed to run a successful recruitment event in November.

• 2005/6 season: The annual egg race was run successfully in March but the focus for the year was on planning events for 2006/7 and recruiting more committee members to help out.

• Jan/Feb 2006: Distraction/challenge arrives in the form of a merger between the IIE and IEE to create the IET. This has an impact upon YM activities and is still proving to be a problem. We still haven’t dealt with this challenge as all committee members are still “ex-IEE” and there are very few activities targeted at “ex-IIE”.

• Summer 2006: Adam recruits Michael onto the committee but Adam then leaves to do a placement in Bristol.

• Autumn 2006: Michael recruits Chris onto the committee and Dave recruits Jon onto the committee.

• November 2006: Dave, Adam and Michael go to the annual YM conference in Glasgow to find out what they should be doing. They dream up the (incredibly imaginative) idea of a newsletter and here we are!