The engineers of tomorrow

IOM3 President Christine Blackmore reflects on the SAM Young Engineers Colloquium.

Since taking up the role of IOM3 President, one of the great pleasures has been the opportunity to attend events and award ceremonies and to meet so many students and young professionals at the beginning of their careers.

Their enthusiasm, curiosity and ambition have been wonderful to see, and these encounters have made me reflect on the importance of encouraging and supporting the next generation of engineers.

Engineering is at the heart of progress. From the infrastructure around us to clean-energy solutions and the development of new and sustainable materials, our profession has an enormous part to play in shaping the future.

But none of us begins as an expert. We all start as students and learners, and we all benefit from the encouragement, experience and generosity of those who have gone before us.

For many young people, an interest in engineering begins because somebody shows them what is possible. It might be a teacher, a family member, a lecturer, a mentor or a professional they admire. That encouragement matters.

We need to continue reaching young people in schools and universities and showing them just how broad a career in engineering and materials can be. It is not simply about numbers and theory; it is about solving real problems, developing ideas and finding better ways of doing things.

Encouragement must also be matched with opportunity.

Workshops, seminars, summer schools, placements, mentoring and networking all give young people the chance to learn, experiment and discover. They also provide something equally valuable: the opportunity to try something, get it wrong and ask, why? That is an important part of becoming an engineer.

Textbooks and lectures provide the foundations, but there is no substitute for practical experience. Standing in a workshop, contributing to a project or seeing a design succeed – or fail – brings learning to life.

Hands-on experience develops adaptability, judgement and teamwork. It is why apprenticeships, placements and practical projects remain so important, and why universities, industry and professional bodies such as IOM3 need to work together to create those opportunities.

For those taking their first steps into employment, that first placement or first job can understandably feel daunting. My message to young engineers is simple: nobody expects you to know everything.

What matters is curiosity, a willingness to learn and the confidence to ask questions.

Another lesson that experience teaches us is that no two projects are ever exactly the same. What worked successfully once may not necessarily work again. The circumstances change, the constraints change and, of course, the people change.

That variety is part of what makes engineering so interesting. It also means that learning never really stops.

Every project – whether a great success or a difficult experience – prepares us for the next one. Success builds confidence; mistakes can build resilience and understanding. Both have value.

So don't be afraid of making mistakes. Learn from them, understand what happened and carry that knowledge into your next challenge.

What, then, do we want the engineer of tomorrow to look like?

I believe they will need to be adaptable, curious and resilient. They will combine strong technical knowledge with practical experience. They will be comfortable asking questions, working with others and continuing to learn throughout their careers.

At IOM3, we have an important role to play in helping nurture those qualities: encouraging students, creating opportunities, connecting people with experienced professionals and supporting them as they take those important first steps.

The next generation will face challenges we cannot yet fully imagine. Climate change, sustainable materials, resource efficiency and rapidly developing technologies will require new ideas and new approaches.

But having met so many talented young people since becoming President, I am encouraged by what I have seen.

The future of engineering depends not only on ideas and technology, but on people.

Today's students and young professionals will become tomorrow's specialists, leaders, innovators and mentors.

If we give them the right encouragement, opportunities and support today, there is no telling what they might achieve tomorrow.

And perhaps, in time, they will offer that same encouragement to the generation that follows them.