The GSE Professional Recognition Offer is a great opportunity to elevate your career in science and engineering. This initiative is a collaboration between the GSE Profession and leading professional organisations. It provides structured pathways to internationally recognised status through membership, registration, or chartership.
Key elements of the offer include step-by-step guidance from your chosen STEM organisation, bespoke webinars, continuous professional development for missing competencies, mentorship from experienced chartered professionals in government, and networking opportunities through cohorts and events.
The benefits of professional recognition include career advancement, networking opportunities, ongoing professional development, and enhanced credibility and respect within and outside your organisation.
Celebrating success
Let’s hear from Katherine Cockle, Health and Safety Executive, Chartered Scientist
“As a child, I could never have dreamed that I would obtain recognition as a Chartered Scientist with the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). Taking a completely different career path, I came back to biology at the age of 27. Through varying jobs within the Civil Service, my scientific training has shaped my experiences. It became more than a technical discipline but a way of approaching the world with a questioning curiosity.
I joined RSB in 2019 as a research scientist in the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). I was aware of the opportunities for fellowship and chartership and the professional achievement that this represented but wasn’t sure my scientific contributions merited that accolade, so, I put off applying.
Years later, in 2024, I saw an email about the GSE Professional Recognition Offer and thought why not apply for chartership. The support the GSE Profession offered meant I could hear from assessors about what they were looking for, and it started to feel achievable. I had built this imaginary mountain for myself to climb – turns out I was nearly at the summit! I didn’t realise I could include my volunteering activities in the application.
GSE provided information about the application structure and in cohort focus meetings I discovered support tools to carry out a skills gap analysis which also highlighted my strengths. For a rounded application I spent time over the next 12 months finding opportunities to build and demonstrate any gaps in my skills.
My mentor encouraged and supported me and acted as my referee for my application. I was so determined to push myself that I put an objective in my performance plan to apply. After reviewing the competencies required, I opted for the aspiring cohort with a view to submit my application in the next 12 months. In this time, I was also trying to learn a new role and was not able to finish my application. Undeterred, I reapplied for the ‘express’ cohort (applying within the next 6 months) for more intense support and vowed to have it done. Funding was offered to cover the cost of the application and within 2 months it was completed and submitted. The nervous wait began!
Two months went by, and I was surprised with an email confirming I’d been awarded the status of Chartered Scientist. This award, and the process of applying, has given me the confidence to consider more challenging roles and helped me reflect on all the amazing opportunities I have had through my dedication to science. I highly recommend the professional recognition offer to everyone.”
If this blog has inspired you to start your professional recognition journey, complete the GSE Professional Recognition Offer interest form.
