Navjit Rana – active member of the IET’s Birmingham Network
Nav tells of the fun he has at the branch events he organises – and with other members down the pub!
Navjit Rana works for Rolls-Royce, a company which actively encourages its employees to take part with institutions. As a result of this Navjit contacted the secretary of his local branch in June 2007, and expressed his intention to get more involved with the IET.
“He advised me to come along to the next branch meeting and get used to the way things are done. I haven’t looked back since!” he exclaims.
Most of Navjit’s day to day work for the IET is taken up by being the webmaster of the Birmingham Branch website. But he has also taken an active role in the day to day running of the Birmingham Branch, from deciding which events they need to promote and run all the way down to discussing the branch’s budgetary expenses.
“I would definitely say I’m an active member of my local branch but it’s not all work! After every meeting and event we have a networking session down the local pub which is, in my opinion, as important as the events we run!”
Apart from his main webmaster role, Navjit has helped facilitate events at the IET”s Austin Court premises. The main event he has helped organise was the very successful University Challenge event, where four students from local universities presented their final year projects to professional industry judges.
“When I first got involved I didn’t think I could organise or help facilitate events, but the only way to find out if you actually can is to do it,” Navjit explains. “I’m honestly glad that I did because I’m now thinking of the next event to organise and the event after that.”
Although Navjit gets a lot of enjoyment from throwing himself into the ‘IET experience’ he’s also gaining career-benefiting skills through the organising of events and his networking.
“In my job I often have to deliver reports to high ranked engineers, which before getting the job I had never done before. Attending network events including seminars and branch meetings I have managed to boost my confidence when it comes to speaking in front of large groups as well as getting my viewpoint across in a confident and non-hesitant manner,” he highlights.
In addition, he’s also making the most of the opportunities available to him as a member.
“I regularly take advantage of the free book service that is available from the IET through the post. I also attend seminars that are frequently held all over the country, which are not necessarily associated with the aerospace sector that I work in, it may just be something I am interested in getting to know more.
“The IET is one of the largest worldwide institutions around, and as a result you will have access to the latest news in many industries that you would not find anywhere else. From a student perspective, the IET gives you access to research papers, books and journals all free which I have definitely taken advantage of.
“Being a member of the IET also sets you apart from the rest, it shows prospective employers that you are serious about your career and it definitely gives you more credibility,” Navjit continues.
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