CIWEM Routes to Membership Practical Experiences Ben Parcell

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CIWEMRoutes to MembershipPractical
ExperiencesBen Parcell Katy Read
CIWEM

• Ove Arup Campus, Solihull
• 28th November 2006

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CIWEM
Initial Application

• Application form sponsors
• Line manager / mentor / academic contact
• Mandatory Competencies
• Review boards first impression
• Proof of qualifications
• Take originals to show sponsors for checking,
  they then sign photocopies

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CIWEM
Mandatory Competencies

• Map out your career
• Do a timeline to put experience etc in order
• Talk to your Mentor / Manager get their views
• Fill in the Competency Report
• Will take several goes to get it right
• Need to show a breadth of experience

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CIWEM
Initial Application The Waiting Game

• Submit the initial application pack
• Goes to the Professional Review Board for
  consideration
• Invited to submit Career and Project Reports
• CIWEM will provide guidance about these reports
  at this point, make sure you read the guidance
  early so that you have the opportunity to contact
  CIWEM about any queries you may have.

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CIWEM
Career and Project Reports Top tips

• The hardest reports youll write at work!
• Dont underestimate how long they take to write
  and edit start early, preferably whilst doing
  the competencies
• Different mind-set than day-to-day work hard to
  do a little at a time, write reports at home as
  this can provide a better environment for focus
• Read the guidance notes
• Keep it clear and concise avoid jargon / waffle
• Need to be self-reliant / self-disciplined

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CIWEM
Career and Project Reports Top tips

• Cross reference both reports and the MC form use
  a checklist against the competencies to make sure
  that the reports include proof of all competences
  being met
• Show in reports where MC is met (helps reviewers)
• Use your mentor and get it proof read spelling
  and grammar is important
• Presentation is important, the reports should
  look professionally presented and be easy for
  reviewers to handle

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The Professional Review
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Practical Experiences The Review

• Very nervous set at ease by informal nature
• Career discussion straight forward questions to
  clarify queries you should know the answers!
• Project presentation think about presentation
  before you start how will you structure it? how
  long will it take? eye contact etc. Be aware
  that 7 minutes presentation took 30 minutes with
  discussion!
• Had to rush at the end no time for discussion
  on current environmental issues so no
  time to confirm Environmental
  Vandal status!

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CIWEM
Practical Experiences Top Tips

• Let the train take the strain
• Try to arrive 5-10 minutes early there isnt
  really anywhere to sit and wait
• Dont go sight seeing or to the pub before hand!
• Try to relax you should know your subject
• Dont be afraid of discussion with panel
• Presentation is paper based so use a
  presentation folder so it looks professional

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CIWEM
A Note of Caution

• The Review Board and Professional Reviewers are
  your peers. They may not work in exactly the
  same field as you. Therefore try to avoid too
  much specialist language and dont assume
  detailed understanding.

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Practical Experiences Timescale

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Any Questions?