The importance of networking in the Systems Engineering community

Irrespective of your industry or experience, the importance of networking cannot be overstated. In the systems engineering community, networking can provide you with a number of benefits, both personal and professional.

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Give and receive mentoring

Whether you are in the mentor or mentee position, such a relationship can be very rewarding both to your career and to your personal development. As mentor, you fine tune your coaching and leadership skills. You’re challenged to present old information in a new, relatable way, while guiding an individual at the beginning of their systems engineering career. As mentee, you develop your critical thinking and problem solving skills. These relationships may start out as fixed term, but often lead to life-long friendships and professional relationships.

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Build a professional support system

Inevitably you’ll be faced with a systems engineering problem, hurdle or error that you simply cannot figure out. Having a professional support system means you have other industry experts who you can reach out to for assistance and advice. Having thought partners who understand the industry can be very valuable, especially in times of tight budgets and deadlines. In times where you’re studying for exams, such as the INCOSE SEP exam, you’ll have individuals you can set up study groups with, meet remotely or in person, discuss exam technique and celebrate with once the exams are passed.

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Increase your visibility

Even the most introverted systems engineer will be able to see the benefit of being more visible in the industry. On a personal level, being visible to the systems engineering community in your town, area or country immediately opens up a network when you’re looking for a new job. Increasing your visibility also opens up many doors for collaboration, idea sharing and alternative perspectives to your own.

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Personal social development

Not everyone you meet will fit your standard definition of what a systems engineer looks like, or should look like. With more networking comes more opportunities to mingle with people from different cultures, different specialisations and varying levels of experience. You’ll also have opportunities to practice active listening, being inclusive and the all-dreaded small talk!

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SE-Training GmbH presents a number of opportunities for networking to systems engineers from all fields. Join us at one of our many free, 1-hour webinars or keep an eye on our LinkedIn page to see when you can visit us in person at industry events.