Communications engineer : Training

If you are aiming for chartered status (CEng), you should check that any post you accept offers an accredited professional development scheme (see the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)  for a list of accredited organisations). You will need to undertake a programme of initial professional development and will be assigned a mentor, who will monitor your progress in the early stages of your engineering career.

Most large firms offer structured training and encourage professional development. Usually, firms offer in-service training and short courses for specific needs. Your in-house training may include placements in different departments to broaden your experience. Some employers are unable to provide broad training experience themselves, and it is worth checking what arrangements they have in place.

To gain CEng status, you will need to show that you have the skills, specialist knowledge and competence to practise as an engineer. With the right experience, it is possible to achieve CEng or incorporated (IEng) status within four to six years after graduation. See the IET website for full details.

Reading the specialist press, for example Engineering & Technology  (the monthly magazine of the IET) and Electronics Weekly , keeps you up to date with the latest news and opinion in the industry and can be useful for anticipating future career opportunities.

You may also wish to study for an IT qualification in your specialist field. Cisco , for example, provides a range of relevant qualifications which are widely recognised in the industry. Employers will sometimes pay for courses or they can be taken independently.