Top Governing Bodies To Join For Graduate Surveyors In Construction

If you’re on a property, real estate or surveying-related degree, you are probably aware of the professional body associated with your future career. You may even have joined it and then forgotten about it. Getting actively involved with your professional body can have some great benefits, but it’s down to you to make the most of these – namely, attending formal and informal networking opportunities.

When you graduate and are working in the profession you will need to be signed up with the relevant body in order to gain chartership – an on-the-job qualification that signifies your expertise in your profession. The professional body you join will depend on what you study and in which field you hope to work once you have graduated.

As a general rule:

• property/real estate students will be encouraged to sign up with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• planning students will normally join the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
• quantity surveying and building surveying students will usually join RICS or the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
• quantity surveying or land surveying students who want to work within a civil engineering field will usually join the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES)

It is possible to join more than one professional body. RICS, RTPI, CIOB and ICES all offer free membership to students.

Attending formal networking events organised by your governing body is a brilliant way of making contacts and finding out more about the industry. Networking events take place up and down the country so there will be an opportunity to take part wherever you are. Going along and making a positive impression on the right people could be a great way to gain some informal work experience.

If you have recently graduated from a surveying degree, or if you've recently joined the job ladder and would like to speak to one of our consultants about the next steps for your career, reach out today for a chat - hello@approachpersonnel.co.uk