Recently Anja Lanz, EIT, shared some of her thoughts with us on the benefits she’s seen from the EIT program.
The Engineer-in-Training (EIT) program offers an effective way for Canadian and international engineering graduates to navigate the process to becoming an engineer. While only required in certain jurisdictions, it provides guidance toward gaining the relevant professional work experience and ethical knowledge needed to meet requirements for licensure.
Recently Anja Lanz, who is an EIT in British Columbia, shared some of her thoughts with us on how the program has benefitted her career development and prepared her for licensure.
How have you benefited from the EIT program?
The EIT program gave me the stepping stone to become a professional engineer. It also allowed me to network and get to know others in the profession.?My provincial association has some great initiatives for EITs and allowed me to be part of the association and get involved in a leadership capacity.?I cannot stress enough how important the EIT program is for those new graduates getting ready to become a professional engineer.
What's the most important thing you've learned as an EIT?
The most important thing I learned as an EIT is that all professional engineers were EITs (or the equivalent) at some point.? Even if they were not enrolled officially in the program, they all needed to gain work experience to become engineers. That makes me enthusiastic to learn from them and to follow in their footsteps. EITs have a huge opportunity to learn from those that came before them and to tap into the wealth of knowledge that is within the EIT program.
What would you say to others considering taking this route to becoming a P.Eng.?
I cannot say enough positive things about being an EIT. I have actively recruited many EITs to sign up for the program and have mentored others in their career path who were not sure if they wanted to stay in engineering.?The insight and preparedness for becoming a P.Eng. is crucial, and the EIT program prepares us well. Of course, we have to be willing to learn and embrace this opportunity with an open mind.?I also had some professional setbacks and downfalls, but I have gotten myself up and kept on going.?In the end, I strongly believe a P.Eng. who has gone through the EIT program is more prepared and willing to give back to the engineering community and to mentor others along the path, because they have been there.
If you are an EIT or have recently been one, and would like to share your experiences, please contact us at communications@engineerscanada.ca.
