Gaining maximum value from your IChemE membership

IChemE Member Engagement Committee member Leonardo Brandao Bernardo e Souza offers a practical guide to making the most of your membership at every stage of your career

FROM your first steps as a student engineer through to Fellowship, IChemE membership is designed to support your development, keep you connected to the profession and help you make a genuine contribution to chemical engineering.

Student membership

The student hub is a great tool for those who are starting out or are in the early stages of their career. For Student members and work-based learners, member benefits allow you to explore your options and investigate your interests. The Student Hub has a wealth of information about the profession (including insights from experienced engineers who have worked in a variety of fields and disciplines), as well as opportunities to invest in yourself and demonstrate your abilities. Tools such as Mentor Match and in-person events and awards such as the YEAIS (Young Engineers Awards for Innovation and Sustainability) allow you to connect and collaborate, learn from others, showcase yourself and gain recognition for your contributions.

Building your career

IChemE’s contribution to society is wholly reliant on its members, so supporting their development is central to the organisation’s mission. For Affiliate, Technician and Associate members, who have already taken an important step in their career progression, continuing professional development (CPD) is an area where IChemE can offer significant value. It supports this development through member groups and special interest group (SIG) events, access to news and journals on the website and opportunities such as mentoring. Resources such as mycareerpath are available to help you streamline and keep track of your CPD. Members can also benefit from engaging with Fellow and Chartered members, with IChemE providing opportunities to connect through shared professional interests. The organisation’s international and diverse membership helps bridge different backgrounds, bringing together a wide range of perspectives and experiences.

Experienced professionals

For Chartered and Fellow members, your experience is one of IChemE’s most valuable resources and your membership provides meaningful ways to share that. Through Mentor Match you can develop leadership skills, stay connected to emerging trends and help shape the next generation’s thinking. Beyond mentoring, contributing to SIGs, volunteering for governance roles or writing for IChemE publications are ways to extend your influence and leave a lasting mark on the profession. CPD at this stage is less about building foundations and more about deepening expertise, broadening perspective and giving back.

With you all the way

Regardless of your career stage, IChemE membership grows with you. Whether you are moving between countries, changing industries or simply looking to refocus, the breadth and international diversity of IChemE’s membership means there is almost always someone who has taken a similar path and is willing to share their experience. Every connection made, conversation had or contribution given helps strengthen the profession.

From my own volunteering experience, I’ve seen firsthand how rewarding it can be. I encourage you to log in to your member portal, explore a SIG, sign up for Mentor Match or take whichever step feels right to support your own development – and in doing so, give back to the wider chemical engineering community.