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To date four MMOA committee members have gone through the process of professional review with Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology (IMarEST) and successfully achieved either chartered or registered status as marine scientists. This professional status is internationally recognised and respected within the industry and beyond. The MMOA committee has worked closely with IMarEST over the last year and as a result all MMOA members are eligible for affiliate membership with IMarEST free of charge, the first step to obtaining professional recognition.
Becoming registered or chartered as a marine scientist might be easier than you think, you may already have a lot of what the Institute is looking for in your academic background, volunteering and professional development courses in related fields. If you are interested in becoming a chartered or registered marine scientist through IMarEST or any other organization, or would like some information to see what you can do to work towards it contact us by email or on the forum and we will be happy to offer advice and guidance.
For more information on IMarEST watch this Video
Some of the benefits of IMarEST membership includes:
- Professional qualifications - Becoming Chartered or Registered certifies your competence, allows you to use certain post-nominal titles (e.g CMarSci, RMarSci) and demonstrates commitment to continued professional development. This can lead to better career prospects and the potential for higher earnings. Click here to find out how to become Chartered
- The Marine Professional - Members have digital access to IMarEST's monthly magazine, The Marine Profressional. Also sign up for the weekly newsletter. Click here to sign up for IMarEST's newsletter
- A wealth of information - Access IMarEST's Virtual Library, an online collection of resources available via your desktop, tablet or phone. Click here to browse the library
- Opportunities to collaborate - Access to Nexus - IMarEST's virtual branch and online collaborative environment for connecting and working with other marine professionals. Click here to access Nexus
- Local and global events - With a worldwide membership of over 15,000 individuals based in 100 countries there are always activites and events to take part in. On a more global scale take the opportuntiy to network with other marine professionals and support your professional development at IMarEST Conferences, Lectures, Seminars and Training Courses.Click here to find your local IMarEST branch and Click here to view the events calendar
Niru, Patrick, Wanda and Gareth share their insights;
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Niru Dorrian BSc (Hons) RMarSci MIMarEST was one of the first The Marine Mammal Observer Association members to become accredited through the Marine Professionals - IMarEST back in 2013 as a Registered Marine Scientist RMarSci. He has since been driving the CPD initiative forward over the past year with the association. "The MMOA had put forward the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology (IMarEST) as a professional accreditation body, with free associate membership currently on offer to all MMOA members.
IMarEST offer various levels of accreditation to members, that of Chartered Scientist (CSci) or Chartered Marine Scientist (CMarSci), Registered Marine Scientist (RMarSci), and Marine Technician (MarTech).
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) can be defined as 'the process through which an individual maintains and extends the knowledge and skills necessary for lifelong professional competence'. The importance of keeping up to date is particularly necessary in today's demanding society, which expects high standards and accountability from all. CPD is a useful tool for achieving and demonstrating such ability and competence.
I highly recommend that all professional environmental consultants seek accreditation which will aid in improving professional standards in the industry as it will show that consultants have been assessed to meet key competencies, and maintain high standards of marine professionals which is recognised worldwide."
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Patrick Lyne MSc BSc CMarSci MIMarEST was recently accredited as a Chartered Marine Scientist. “Working as a Marine Mammal Observer and Passive Acoustics Operator I have been constantly trying to improve how I work and learn more about cetaceans and the marine environment. This has been mostly out of interest, but partially with the aim to diversify my skillset. While I am aware of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) I have never been focused on this. Professional registration is a way to show employers you are committed to the profession and CPD and should be seriously considered for any MMO or PAM work. There are a number of professional accreditation bodies.
One referee is required to validate copies of your degrees and academic qualifications and chartered registration is usually given to those with a Masters qualification and four years or more experience.
My registration interview was conducted via Skype, for which I prepared a short powerpoint on my professional career to date and future intended direction. The interview was to take about an hour, though I overran by about 15 minutes. There were two interviewers and the process seemed to run smoothly, with the video link dropping only once. They asked questions on an offshore project I have been running for four years now off the South West of Ireland and queried aspects of project management, health and safety as well as wanting to know what it was about. I was quieted about my working life prior to working offshore, work outside of Ireland and a number of topics, but these were all aspects of my working life with which I am very familiar.
Two months later I received a confirmation to say my professional registration as Chartered Scientist/ Chartered Marine Scientist was approved”
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Wanda Bodnar MSc BSc RMarSci MIMarEST was recently as a Registered Marine Scientist. "Being a member of the Marine Mammal Observers Association meant that I automatically became an affiliate member (AIMarEST) of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology in 2015.
This year I decided that I would upgrade to become a full member, and having 3 years of working experience behind me, I also applied for a registered status.
During my professional recognition interview I provided evidence about my academic studies, the various projects that I have been involved in since graduation (both paid and volunteering experiences), and also about the various CPD courses that I have taken.
I was very happy to receive the confirmation email that my interview was successful and I am now a Registered Marine Scientist. With this I am able to demonstrate that through my qualifications and experience I have the key competencies, and I meet the core standards of marine professionals recognised worldwide.”
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Gareth MacGlennon MSc BSc (Hons) CMarSci CSci MIMarEST was recently accredited as a Chartered Marine Scientist. "I have long been interested in the idea of registering with an organisation to gain further qualifications and professional recognition, but due to the number of different options available was uncertain on the exact direction to go. Receiving affiliate membership to IMarEST through The Marine Mammal Observer Association led me to look more closely at what they and the science council, who offer professional registration, represent.
I am now very proud to have this accreditation and feel it is a great way to demonstrate not only my current skills and knowledge but also my commitment to continued improvement as I progress in my career.
Upgrading my membership and registration was easy and I am grateful to the other MMOA committee members for supporting me through the process. My interview for Chartered status was carried out over skype from my home and consisted more of a friendly chat covering my career so far rather than any formal/difficult interview."
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