The tap on the shoulder that made me ICE president

When people ask me for my top piece of advice for civil and infrastructure engineers at the start of their careers, I always tell them the same thing.

Find your place at the ICE.

At my presidential address last November, I reflected on the fact that when I joined the institution 26 years ago, I never imagined I'd one day become president.

If I had to do it all again knowing that I wouldn’t become president, I would still have got involved and still put in the same effort, because the more I've put into the institution, the more I've got back from it. I put a lot in, but I got so much more in return.

Looking back, my ICE journey wasn't the result of a grand plan.

It has been shaped by a series of opportunities, conversations and, on more than one occasion, a tap on the shoulder from someone encouraging me to get involved in something new.

Watch my presidential address

Starting out

I first became involved with the ICE as a graduate member.

Like many engineers, I initially saw the institution as simply a route towards professional qualification. But it quickly became much more than that for me.

I'd help organise an event or support a regional activity and then somebody would approach me and say: "You've done a good job with that. What about helping with this?"

One opportunity led to another.

Getting involved early in my career helped me build a professional network that stretched well beyond my employer.

It also helped me develop skills that aren't always taught through formal engineering education: communication, leadership, influencing and relationship building.

Those skills have benefited me throughout my career.

The value of saying yes

One of the things I've always appreciated about the ICE is its ability to identify potential in people and provide opportunities for them to develop.

Over the years, I took on a variety of roles within ICE Northern Ireland, eventually becoming vice chair and then chair of the region.

Serving as chair was a particular privilege. It gave me a much deeper appreciation of the breadth of the institution's work and the dedication of the volunteers who support it.

It also reinforced something I've come to believe strongly: our institution is at its best when active members work in collaboration with the ICE staff.

The institution isn't something that happens to us. It's something we can collectively help to shape – so I encourage you to get involved.

From member to leader

As my involvement grew, I had opportunities to serve the institution in a number of different capacities.

Over the years, I have represented Northern Ireland on the ICE Council, served as a general member of council, chaired the Audit Committee, chaired the Qualifications Panel, contributed to governance reviews, helped oversee the important work of the ICE Benevolent Fund as a member of its Committee of Management, and led the Learning Society portfolio.

Each role provided a different perspective on the institution and its responsibilities to members, the profession and society.

Collectively, all these activities helped me understand the scale of what the ICE does.

Most people understandably see the institution through the lens of their own experience: professional qualification, local events, technical knowledge and networking opportunities.

Those are all hugely important. But behind the scenes there is also a tremendous amount of work done to maintain standards, develop and share engineering knowledge, support members and ensure that the profession remains trusted and relevant.

Being part of that work has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my ICE journey.

A year I'll never forget

That journey eventually led me to be your president.

It has genuinely been the experience of a lifetime.

One of the greatest privileges of being president has been the opportunity to meet members across the world, visit projects, engage with industry leaders and hear directly from engineers at every stage of their careers.

I've spoken with apprentices and graduates beginning their journeys, experienced practitioners delivering major infrastructure, and volunteers who give enormous amounts of their time to support the institution.

Throughout the year, a recurring theme has been the importance of bringing people together: sharing knowledge, developing competence, supporting one another and helping decision makers make better-informed choices about infrastructure.

That's exactly why the ICE was founded in 1818, and it remains just as relevant today.

Find your place

One of my strongest reflections from this year is that there is no single way to contribute to the institution.

Some members mentor the next generation. Others review professional qualifications. Some help organise events, contribute technical expertise, support regional committees or champion fairness, inclusion and respect.

Many do several of these things over the course of their careers, and I have seen the personal pride of giving back to your profession.

So my advice remains simple.

Whatever stage of your career you're at, find your place within ICE.

You never know where that first opportunity, or that first tap on the shoulder, might lead!