b'Member News March 2022 15Meet an early career memberMaking a real difference with Sadie Peacock CEng MIETSenior Process Improvement Engineer, Sadie Peacock CEng MIET, has already made an impact early on in her career. However, after completing her Physics degree at the University of Manchester, becoming an engineer was not something she had originally planned.Now leading teams at Renishaw, an optical measuring equipment manufacturer, SadieGiving back to the professionhas found the perfect mix of practical and analysis work. When looking at this role, IThe support that was provided for thought the products I would be supportingProfessional Registration was the main looked complex enough to satisfy the scientistreason I decided to join the IET, said in me, she said. Im now in charge of improvingSadie. However, the networking and the processes used to build and test thevolunteering opportunities have really products supplied to customers. As the Seniorhelped me so far in my career too.Engineer, I also lead and manage the team. Working in a high-pressure environment is aBeing able to connect with fellow challenge that Sadie has faced but taking theengineers, from other early career opportunity in her stride has given her themembers to established industry chance to develop new skillsand progressprofessionals, Sadie has taken advantage early on in her career. I always try to setof our global community by getting an example and uphold the values and highinvolved and building on her expertise.standards of my company, she said. Im proudIm a Young Professionals Ambassador, which Sadie Peacock CEng MIET that Ive earnt the opportunity to manage thehas given me a network and volunteering team, implement my ideas and have the freedomopportunities to promote my passion for the to make informed decisions, all whilst remainingprofession, she said. Ive also recently joined technically involved in the work. the Young Professionals Committee to assist After finishing mythe IET in achieving their goals and ensuring degree, I knew IThe journey to Professionalthat the Young Professionals have a voice wanted a job thatRegistration within the institution.combined hands- There are so many ways to give back to on work with dataShortly after I started my job, I heardthe engineering community, which in turn analysis and problem- about the IET and the option to becomesupports your personal and professional professionally registered as a Charteredgrowth. I also volunteer as a Professional solving. It was aEngineer. It took me four years to completeRegistration Advisor (PRA), helping other future huge challenge formy application, which really helped focus myProfessional Registration applicants achieve in the me to move into theProfessional Development.same way that I did; the PRA advice I received field of engineeringThe entire process to achieving CEng was anwas key to completing my own application.initially and start ininvaluable opportunity to self-reflect, createBeing a member and volunteer has been a permanent roleplans to address any improvement areas andhugely beneficial to my career. It has given with no previousactively seek out new challenges to broadenme experience with new situations and allowed my technical knowledge and experience. Itme to develop my confidence in public speaking experience. I lackedwas this focus that proved my dedicationoutside of my direct work environment, in a lot of the hands-onto my professional growth to myaddition to enhancing other soft and practical skills that peopleemployer, which allowed me to progressskills, she said. with an engineeringinto my Senior Engineer role so early on in my career. For example, being a judge for the #PresentIn10 specific degree tookcompetition has given me exposure to areas of for granted, and itnew technologies and shown me new innovative took me a while topresentation strategies. Ive been able to apply gain the confidencewhat Ive learnt in my volunteering capacity to my work environment, making me more to address this andeffective at my job, benefitting my employer start asking questions. and allowing for faster career progression.Read Sadies full story on our EarlyCareer Hub: theiet.org/earlycareer'