Anna Gilbert CEng FIET
Anna has always pushed herself to achieve success in her career and strives to be the best that she can be. Now she is using IET Fellowship to stay at the top of her game and help kickstart others on their journey.
Anna Gilbert is an IET Fellow currently working as Design Engineering Director for Cadence Design Systems. She gravitated towards engineering for the variety and for Anna no two days are the same.
“There is no typical working day as an engineer. There is no 9-5. I have been home based for the last 12 years and I do make a point to block out one hour every day for lunch away from my desk which I think is really important. I generally have a few scheduled meetings, some days more than others, on the fly support calls, review customer support requests, any pre-sales enquiries then ongoing design work.”
Proving people wrong
Despite an incredibly successful career that started with Anna becoming Professionally Registered CEng at just 25, she still maintains the same amount of motivation to push herself and achieve great things.
“I am still as driven as the day I started work. Each day brings its own challenges. I have effectively been with just two companies over the 22 years I have been in the semiconductor industry, although I have done many different roles and have seen numerous mergers and acquisitions during that time.”
Anna’s success has also been influenced by wanting to prove people wrong and show that anybody can be a top-level engineer as long as they have the drive and desire for knowledge.
“I was always good at Physics, Chemistry and Maths so engineering was a natural fit. I went to an all-girls grammar school and I remember back then doctors or at a push aeronautical engineers were acceptable career options. Electrical and Electronic Engineering was not looked on favourably. I think my mind was made up when my maths teacher told me I couldn’t be an engineer. I set out to prove him very wrong!”
Part of the community
After excelling professionally, Anna was also keen to use her skills and knowledge to be a big part of the engineering community and help others – something her IET membership and Fellowship has helped her achieve.
“I actively mentor both at work and for the IET for 20+ years. I am currently mentoring an engineer towards his Chartership application and I have previously supported a colleague through their Fellowship application. I also volunteer for the Dorset and South Wiltshire IET committee where I liaise with the local IMechE committee and organise engineering events for the local community. I have talked in many schools about my career, presented on behalf of the IET and I set up and ran the Present Around the World competition for many years.”
As well as being able to give back, Fellowship has also given Anna a boost in confidence and something to remind her to always push herself and strive to be the best.
“It’s a top recognition for my career achievements so far and it reminds me to keep trying to develop myself further. I have become a better engineer which has been rewarded by promotions, job roles and responsibilities and simply put, it helps to gets the best out of me.”
Top Tips
Anna became an IET Fellow in 2018 after originally setting the goal when she became Chartered. Having been a Fellow and going through the application process, Anna is able to give some top tips to anyone looking to do the same.
“The main 4 things I would advise before starting a Fellowship application would be:
- Find a role model and shadow them, learn from them, attach yourself to them!
- Find a mentor – they are invaluable.
- Network – in person!
- Take the time to reflect on your achievements annually.”
Alongside using her volunteering to develop strong interpersonal skills and going on multiple courses, Anna has been fortunate to work for a company that promotes her development and encourages her aims to make a difference.
Now after a successful 20+ year career in engineering and becoming an IET Fellow, one thing is for certain, which is that Anna proved her Maths teacher wrong.