All throughout college, your professors, classmates, and professional engineers working in-the- field tell you that networking is important. But it can be harder in practice than in theory, because socializing can be awkward, and at the end the workday, many of us would rather be watching Netflix on the couch than attending networking cocktail hours. However, networking can be critical to career success in a variety of ways.
Many members of the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers (NJSPE) are looking to take the next step in their careers. That step does not have to be underscored by a painful online search for new positions. A smart career move is to expand ones’ professional network because in the job market it is often less about what you know than who you know.
The relationships you make at networking events are important, but they do not require hours of preparation or in-depth knowledge about the specifics within your industry. Engaging someone in a 15-minute conversation about your interests and career goals at a mixer can help get your name noticed on an application and during the interview process. Imagine what active engagement in a community of professional engineers could mean for your career.
In addition to increasing your name recognition in the job market, networking can be a reminder that you are not alone on your career path. When you join professional associations, and take advantage of networking opportunities, you gain access to an in-crowd of like-minded individuals. There are innumerable opportunities to collaborate with your peers, learn best practices, share your concerns, and ask questions.
Professional associations such as NJSPE provide members with networking opportunities both online and in-person. For more information on events and membership, visit https://njspe.org/.
The benefits of joining the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers (NJSPE) include advocacy opportunities, continuing education and networking, access to the latest innovations in the industry, and career advancement for professional engineers.
At NJSPE, we understand membership fees can be expensive, and certain associations do not make membership worthwhile. That is why we keep our fees low and offer multiple membership levels, so everyone can enjoy the benefits of NJSPE while keeping their budget in mind. We put together a few questions and package information to help you decide what level is right for you.
Do You have a Professional Engineering License?
A professional engineer membership is available to those holding a license as a professional engineer, engineer-in-training, or engineering intern certification in the United States, Canada, or an international equivalent.
At this level, members pay a total of $299 for the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and New Jersey state dues. These fees provide access to resources such as online seminars, PE Magazine, and exclusive job postings at state and national levels.
Are Multiple Engineers at Your Workplace Considering Membership?
The enterprise membership is for companies with multiple engineers looking to join a professional engineering association. This level enables a company to sponsor membership for employees at a discounted rate. NJSPE will work with you to design specialized benefits around the needs of a company.
With this package, benefits beyond the individual can be realized. At a corporate level, enterprise membership to NJSPE illustrates a commitment to best practices and can help companies save on liability premiums.
Are You an Engineering Student?
The free NJSPE membership for students is a great way to stay one step ahead of the competition. We offer membership to full-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs that are Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) qualified or an engineering or pre-engineering program (or international equivalent). Membership benefits include networking opportunities and access to online seminars and web classifieds. Students can also apply for scholarships and partake in student chapters of NSPE.
Are You a Recent College Graduate?
If you are a recent graduate of an ABET-accredited program, the engineer-in-training or intern engineer membership level is perfect for you! We know that post-graduation life can leave professional engineers with a tight budget and do not want that to scare you away from the benefits of NJSPE membership. Rates include New Jersey and national dues:
Combining Levels and Selecting Practice Divisions
If multiple levels listed sound like the right fit for you, professional engineers can join one or more practice divisions and multiply all NSPE’s membership benefits. These practice divisions include professional engineers in construction (PEC), professional engineers in education (PEE), professional engineers in government (PEG), professional engineers in industry (PEI), and professional engineers in private practice (PEPP).
For information about NJSPE, including upcoming events, application information and more, please visit https://njspe.org/.
Do you remember the stress of finding your first job after graduation? All those long nights of searching online and making LinkedIn connections with potential employers to give yourself a leg up. The New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers (NJSPE) is a state society that promotes, serves, and represents New Jersey’s engineering professionals for the public’s benefit. The association also benefits members in a variety of ways.
Perhaps one of the most important functions of NJSPE is helping young professional engineers find new career opportunities. Many of our members are looking to take the next step in their careers, either with a new job or by expanding their professional network. Regardless of your individual goals, NJSPE can help.
NSPE Job Postings
Unless you land a dream job, an engineer’s first few positions are typically entry-level. They are great for expanding a young engineer’s knowledge and gaining in-the-field experience. However, where can you turn when you are looking to take the next step?
Our members have access to NSPE and NJSPE web classifieds, which help young engineering professionals find new opportunities within their specialized division of engineering.
We also help employers scout the best talent in the industry. As part of our database, that could be you! Members have a competitive edge, and in the current job market, that can be vital.
Furthering Your Education to Further Your Career
As many veterans in their field will tell you, it’s important to never stop learning. With even more engineers applying for the same positions, more education can help an applicant stand out from the crowd. However, NJSPE understands that most young professional engineers do not have the money or time to go back to school. As a member of a prestigious professional engineering association, you would have access to free online seminars and resources needed to further your understanding of engineering topics and to maintain PE licenses.
Webinars and conferences are offered monthly to help members sharpen skills and learn best practices. Many of these sessions are specifically geared toward young professionals on topics related to business and career development. Check out the current listing of NSPE continuing education sessions in your area.
If you are interested in learning more about our professional engineering association, the NJSPE website has important information about events, divisions and local chapters of NSPE, and much more!
Every young professional engineer knows growing his or her network is a good career move to establish a circle of like-minded individuals and to cultivate future career opportunities. Sometimes it can feel like a daunting task, because being social can be a challenge and paying membership fees can be a pain.
However, at the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers (NJSPE), we believe joining a professional engineering association is incredibly valuable. NJSPE is a state society that promotes, serves, and represents New Jersey’s engineering professionals for the public’s benefit. We keep the fees low and the memberships to our different divisions flexible, so members can experience all of the National Society of Professional Engineer’s (NSPE) benefits. What are those benefits?
Professionally and personally, there is no downside to advocacy work. Professional engineering associations, such as NJSPE, partner with a host of organizations to support and partake in outreach initiatives and activities.
For example, NSPE is taking action on a variety of issues, such as soothing the public anxiety about autonomous vehicles. In collaboration with state DMVs and policymakers, the organization is helping to test, develop, and deploy these vehicles safely.
As many veterans in their field will tell you, it’s important to never stop learning. While that sounds great, most young professional engineers do not have the money to go back to school to further their credentials. As a NJSPE member, you would have access to free online seminars and resources needed to maintain PE licenses.
There are monthly webinars and conferences available to sharpen skills and learn best practices geared to young professionals on topics related to business and career development. Check out the current listing of NJSPE continuing education sessions in your area.
We all remember what it was like to be a few months from graduation: everyone was scouring Indeed and other websites for job opportunities. The assistance that associations like NJSPE provide would have been vital at that stage. When engineers are ready to move up the ladder, the NSPE and NJSPE members-only web classifieds can be key. They not only post open positions but also help employers find top talent in the industry.
Sometimes it is nice to know you are not alone. As a member of a professional engineering association, you are part of a community of like-minded individuals. In person and online, there are innumerable opportunities to collaborate with your peers and share industry best practices.
Membership has important virtual benefits. Today’s youth is proud of their ability to stay on top of trends, technological and otherwise. From PE magazines, forums and e-newsletters, NJSPE members are on the cutting-edge of the engineering profession.
Convinced you should join a professional engineering association? Check out the NJSPE membership categories and start your application today!
