An Assessor during retirement
After a fulfilling career, is it just slippers, newspapers, and wine drinking? As a Chartered Geologist, definitely not – this is when interesting opportunities come along. I started as a Chartership Assessor back when we posted the supporting documents to each other in large brown envelopes. I’ve yet to see two applicants whose experience looks the same, and I’ve learnt rather a lot along the way.
Being an Assessor during retirement is an excellent way to pass on your experience and knowledge to help new geoscientists through that important Chartership milestone. I also enjoy the opportunity to keep up to date with the latest technology and developments, which is easily done via Google and an abundance of online talks and other sources of information. I can easily keep aware of current requirements and ideas, and find that the CPD hours rapidly clock up.
To me, geology is a hobby as well as a career. In retirement, I can now follow up on interesting past jobs, and increase my knowledge of new areas such as geological models and geomorphology.
Remember, your Society needs you as an Assessor.
Alex Carbray
BSc, CGeol, FGS, CEng, FIMMM, retired (but if you have an interesting job somewhere warm, give me a call)
Updated Chartership regulations have been approved by Council and are available at www.geolsoc.org.uk/chartership
How to choose your Supporting Documents
• Start collating a portfolio of your work early in your career
• Keep the Chartership competency criteria in mind as you progress
• Work with a mentor to select the best examples
• Consider a variety of document types
• Ensure you cover all the criteria
• Demonstrate your own contribution to the work using a cover sheet
Our Supporting Document guidance is available at www.geolsoc.org.uk/chartership
The Chartership interview
The Chartership interview can be one of the most rewarding aspects of the application validation process. It is an opportunity to showcase your skills to knowledgeable geoscience practitioners who are keen to hear about your experience. Interviews are now mainly online and although most of us are familiar with this format, there are a few things to keep in mind:
• Practise your presentation and check the timing (you should aim for ~15 minutes).
• Check your connection and camera/audio settings before joining. Assessors can be located worldwide!
• Rapport-building and non-verbal cues are different online to in person. Pay attention to where you are looking and consider how your energy and enthusiasm will come across on screen.
• Your Assessors should put you at ease and explain the process before you start your presentation – don’t speak too quickly.
• Enjoy it! Your Assessors believe you are ready. The interview is there to validate your application and give you an opportunity to demonstrate your chartership competencies.
Top tips from our Assessors
• Show us how you meet the Chartership competency criteria, not just how well you do in your day job
• Provide clear signposting throughout your submission
• Select documents that best cover your current area of expertise and where you hope to progress your career
Already Chartered?
You can sign off your work digitally using our logo. We also sell CGeol ink-stamps for that authentic experience!
Other post-Chartership qualifications are available (in more specialist areas) and you can progress to becoming a mentor and support others through their Chartership journey.
View the list of recently Chartered Fellows at www.geolsoc.org.uk/CharteredFellows
