The ICE shares simple tips to prepare for Fellow applications and overcome mental blocks.
Embarking on the journey to become an ICE Fellow can be an exciting yet potentially daunting prospect.
Often times, despite having accomplished a lot, people can be hesitant to apply for a host of different reasons.
Some may think the process is complex, others may feel that they haven’t done enough.
However, rather than putting the process off, keep the following tips in mind if you’re keen to apply for Fellowship with the ICE:
1. Understanding the requirements
While this might seem like stating the obvious, having a closer look at the requirements and comparing them with your achievements can help get a better understanding about the ask and delivery.
Quite often, applicants think they need to have led a big budget project to qualify. However, focussing on your role in the project and its impact is also crucial.
The scale of the project doesn’t always define your application’s result.
Most people assume that you have to be a certain grade or worked on a certain scale or profile or project while in reality, you may be ready for the next step sooner than you think!
I suggest getting in touch with other Fellows or regional ICE reps to understand if you meet the criteria because, more than often than not, you do and are ready for the next step.
Claire Gott, ICE Fellow
2. Preparing your application
Filling forms and writing applications can be tedious and may feel like an additional chore.
Make a plan, so you’re able to chalk out dedicated time for working on the application.
Having rough notes ready alongside can also help strengthen your responses.
In your notes, write down everything that you’d like to include, even if it’s messy – you can tidy it up later when you start your application.
3. Be consistent
Finishing the application in a single sitting is probably a little unrealistic.
However, working at pace and not leaving a lot of time in between g sessions, can also help you in mentally staying ‘in the zone’.
It could be tackling one attribute at a time or collating evidence – working on the application consistently will keep you motivated.
My motivation behind becoming a Fellow was my desire to influence the outcome of things that I am passionate about.
Fellowship often opens doors to opportunities where you can influence policy and things that impact our infrastructure and society.
Joining the cohort of Fellows can help you influence outcomes of how the infrastructure and society change, and you get to inspire the next generation of civil engineers (...)
And most importantly, you get to impact the world where nature and people can thrive together.
Prof Anusha Shah, ICE President
4. Connect with others
Connect with colleagues in your network who are also applying for Fellowship.
Be it navigating the application, exchanging notes about routes to Fellowship or just support - finding a set of people you can relate and communicate with, can often create tremendous impact.
Looking to inspire female civil engineers to pursue Fellowship, ICE organises the ICE Connects: Women in Fellowship network.
Made up of women who are either current or aspiring Fellows, ICE Connects looks to bring together female professionals who talk about key issues and potential solutions challenging the industry at present.
At a recent ICE Connects event, panellist Roni Savage reflected on supporting greater inclusivity in the infrastructure professions, along with the role of professional qualification and Fellowship in career development.
Roni noted that “Work needs to be done to attract women into the industry in the first instance…and we also need to retain [them].”
5. Getting the right sponsors
When applying for Fellowship, choosing the right sponsors can really make your application easier.
Talk to your contacts and try to find someone who knows you and the work you do really well.
The confidence with which a sponsor can support their applicant often has a big impact on the result.
Their validation of your experience is vital!
6. Ask for support: we want to help you!
We have a dedicated section on our website that talks about all things Fellowship.
And at the ICE, we regularly run events, lectures and workshops that cater to those who are looking for more guidance and support.
Whichever stage you are at in your Fellowship journey, your regional support team or international staff contacts should be able to help you.
Don’t hesitate in reaching out to us. We’re here to help you in your professional development and journey.
