Byteblueprint

At the start of this year, I decided it was finally time to work toward something that had been on my mind for a long while—Chartered Engineer status. After around ten years working across networking, security, and technical leadership, I felt I’d reached the point where I could confidently demonstrate my alignment to the UK-SPEC standard.

Like many engineers, I’d delayed starting for years. There’s always a new project, a new certification, a busy period at work—always something that feels more urgent. But this year I made the commitment to get it done.

What I didn’t anticipate was just how challenging it would be to find the time and focus needed, especially while adapting to major changes in my personal life, including becoming a father. The practical reality is that the CEng application isn’t something you can rush. It takes reflection, structure, and space to think clearly about your career and the impact you’ve made.

I quickly learned that progress doesn’t always come in long writing sessions. Sometimes it was 20 minutes here and there, drafting notes on my phone or refining bullet points late in the evening. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was progress.

Working through the UK-SPEC competencies forced me to look back at ten years of projects, responsibilities, and decisions—some I hadn’t thought about in years. What surprised me was how much clarity the process brought. You start to see patterns in the way you’ve worked, the leadership you’ve shown, the technical decisions you’ve made, and the way your role has evolved over time. It made me appreciate the journey in a way I hadn’t expected.

I’m now at the point where my application is nearly ready for PRA review, with the plan to submit in the new year. It’s been a demanding process, but a worthwhile one. And if there’s one takeaway I’d share with anyone considering CEng, it’s this:

Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start, even if you have to chip away at it slowly.

Balancing a professional milestone with the realities of life isn’t easy, but it’s entirely possible — and the process itself can be just as valuable as the outcome.

If anyone else is working toward their own application and wants to share experiences or compare notes, I’m always happy to connect.