15-07-2011, 10:08 AM
Morning all,
I am interested in entering into the world of Signalling. It is an industry that I believe has significant potential and opportunities available, as well as scope for the future (Crossrail, LU upgrades, Network Rail and HS2 to name a few).
My background is actually Civil and Structural Engineering, but for the last four years I have been Project/Contracts managing in the telecoms and M&E industries (in LU and outside of rail). For a 'youngster' I have had a wide range of experience and feel that signalling may offer a rewarding path for the next stage in my career.
I have a couple of contacts in the signalling industry but at the moment I am unsure as to the best way to build my experience and qualifications to ensure that I can be successful in applying for jobs. I am not interested in the design or development stages of systems/processes, as I know my strengths lie in the implementation of other peoples hard work! I am very much an operations management type of person.
I have read the IRSE website and the methods of gaining membership. Frankly with the (lack of) experience that I have, Associate membership seems to be most appropriate. The examinations are the part that seems like it could present the greatest problems - as they appear to be technically biaised.
So, I suppose the advice I would appreciate would be:
Is applying for Associate Membership a good starting point?
What kind of time commitment would it take for a (generally bright) person to pick up the gist from background reading to take the 4 modules required?
Are the reading materials advised available to loan (I realise it may be a tad specialised for my local library!)
Would I require practical experience to stand a chance of passing said modules?
If you have read the waffle thus far - many thanks! I look forward to receiving your feedback.
BR
Manners
I am interested in entering into the world of Signalling. It is an industry that I believe has significant potential and opportunities available, as well as scope for the future (Crossrail, LU upgrades, Network Rail and HS2 to name a few).
My background is actually Civil and Structural Engineering, but for the last four years I have been Project/Contracts managing in the telecoms and M&E industries (in LU and outside of rail). For a 'youngster' I have had a wide range of experience and feel that signalling may offer a rewarding path for the next stage in my career.
I have a couple of contacts in the signalling industry but at the moment I am unsure as to the best way to build my experience and qualifications to ensure that I can be successful in applying for jobs. I am not interested in the design or development stages of systems/processes, as I know my strengths lie in the implementation of other peoples hard work! I am very much an operations management type of person.
I have read the IRSE website and the methods of gaining membership. Frankly with the (lack of) experience that I have, Associate membership seems to be most appropriate. The examinations are the part that seems like it could present the greatest problems - as they appear to be technically biaised.
So, I suppose the advice I would appreciate would be:
Is applying for Associate Membership a good starting point?
What kind of time commitment would it take for a (generally bright) person to pick up the gist from background reading to take the 4 modules required?
Are the reading materials advised available to loan (I realise it may be a tad specialised for my local library!)
Would I require practical experience to stand a chance of passing said modules?
If you have read the waffle thus far - many thanks! I look forward to receiving your feedback.
BR
Manners