Opinion

Network hard to boost your career in engineering and consultancy

Lucy Carraz is a director of consultant URS and took over as chair of the ACE's Progress Network in 2014. She explains why all young professionals should get involved.

Lucy Carraz

The ACE Progress Network is designed specifically to boost networking and enhance the careers of young professionals in infrastucture and the built environment and this year will be organising an enhanced programme of activities and events designed specifically to help drive forward careers and skills in the profession.

Chair Lucy Carraz explains what the Network can bring to your career, how you can get involved and highlights the new Progress Network Award which aims to recognise emerging talent in the profession.  

Q: What is Progress Network?

A: It’s the ACE’s community for professional consultants and engineers typically below the age of 35. It provides a forum for young professionals to network with their peers, develop their business skills and contribute to the latest industry thinking. Our members come from a broad range of engineering, environmental and project management backgrounds. You can find out more here.

Q: What has Progress Network got planned in 2014?

A: There are a number of free events throughout the year, with panels of industry speakers discussing the key issues relevant to engineers and consultants below the age of 35. We encourage debate, discussion and lively Q&A sessions. All the events are designed to be informative, useful and relevant to members’ day jobs, as well as providing opportunities to develop your networking skills. You’ll also hear more about the Progress Network in my regular column in Infrastructure Intelligence.

Q: How do you join Progress Network?

A: It’s free to join, just visit the website and complete the form (click here) . If you have questions, you can contact Laura Barkaway, who is the Membership Executive at the ACE.

Q: What is different about the ‘Progress Network Consultant of the Future’ Award?

A: This is a brand new category in the ACE’s annual Engineering Excellence Awards. It recognises the achievement of people below the age of 35 working in engineering or environmental consultancy who have played a key role in the design, delivery, maintenance or management of projects in the past year. The award promotes the importance of having a broad skill set, as well as excellent technical knowledge, to successfully deliver consultancy services in the infrastructure sector. It acknowledges how, even early on in your career, you can demonstrate strong leadership skills and play an important role in shaping the future of the industry.

Q: Why enter? 

A: It’s a great opportunity to demonstrate to a wide and high-profile audience your technical ability, management and leadership skills, as well as your contribution to the industry. The winners will be announced at that ACE Engineering Excellence Awards at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square and Progress Network members can attend the awards at a reduced rate. 

Q: How do you enter?

A: You can enter online and the closing date has just been extended to 5pm on Friday 28th February. The application form is here.