Pursuing professionalism

A changemaker juggling a PhD, a career, and fatherhood – all while giving back to the engineering community.

Becoming a chartered engineer (CEng) at any age is a big deal, but doing it before you hit 30, while finishing a PhD, working full-time in data management at Skanska, and raising a family, is remarkable. Muhammad Adil Gondal, driven by a love for science and technology, followed his passion into engineering and never stopped learning along the way. “Every step brought new challenges, and each one helped me grow, both personally and professionally,” he says.

Adil started documenting his professional skills early on, making sure every project, technical achievement and collaboration met the CEng standards. At the same time, he dived into advanced academic work, taking on a PhD as part of his continuing professional development (CPD).
Balancing coursework, a career and fatherhood was tough at times, but it helped him hone essential skills like time management and teamwork, which have been invaluable both at work and at home.

A key part of his success was the IET Mentorship Programme, which guided him through each step of the CEng process, from structuring his application to showcasing his competencies. This supportive network of mentors and peers not only provided technical insights but also the encouragement to keep going. Inspired by the help he received, Adil is now committed to mentoring others within the IET, helping them on their own paths to professional recognition.

Beyond his immediate responsibilities, Adil has always believed in giving back to the community that shaped him. As a STEM ambassador, he shares his love for maths, coding and problem solving with younger generations. His involvement with the IET, where he’s started volunteering, has been equally rewarding, offering a platform to guide aspiring engineers on the path to professional registration. “Inspiring the next wave of engineers is about more than just sharing knowledge – it’s about sparking enthusiasm and showing what’s possible,” he says.

Becoming the youngest chartered engineer in Pakistan is a reminder that passion, hard work and resilience can come together to create extraordinary results. While the letters ‘CEng’ highlight his technical competence, for Adil they symbolise something deeper: a commitment to pushing boundaries, a readiness to seize new opportunities, and the joy of turning ambitions into reality.

He plans to keep expanding his skill-set, both academically and professionally, while maintaining that delicate balance of career, study and parenthood. Through volunteering, he hopes to empower future engineers, especially those who feel challenges like a busy schedule or lack of role models are too big to overcome. His message to those who aspire to earn professional credentials or break new ground is simple: “Embrace each stage of the journey, find mentors who support your dreams, and never stop believing in your ability to achieve the extraordinary.”

Just as engineering evolves, so does Adil’s own path. With the support of the IET community and his drive for lifelong learning, he’s excited to see how his career, and his impact on others, will continue to grow. “I genuinely believe my story can inspire others – both within Pakistan and around the world – to pursue professional excellence.”

Find out more about professional registration on our website.