Academic Liaison Officer

We make sure that the next generation of engineers is inspired to improve the world through engineering. That’s why we put the development of professional engineers at the heart of what we do. 

Academic Liaison Officers are volunteers who support students to become successful engineers within universities. 

Their role is crucial to nurturing new talent and getting students off to the best start in their career.

About you

The role of Academic Liaison Officer is for teaching staff and other staff employed by a university.

You’ll need to be willing to be our first point of contact with students and colleagues and able to promote the benefits of membership to students.

Meet an ALO

• 

  Mehdi Nazarinia

  Mehdi is an ALO for Heriot Watt University in Dubai, where his role has helped several students gain access to all Institution services.      

What you will do

Academic Liaison Officers are our advocates within universities. They maintain communication with staff, students and university careers offices. 

A central part of the role is to make students aware of everything we do to support them. Academic Liaison Officers explain the benefits of becoming a member in a clear, compelling way and promote our work more broadly. 

They may, for example, explain that free Affiliate membership for undergraduates is an essential first step into the professional community. 

Academic Liaison Officers also inform students of the financial assistance awards of up to £3,000 we offer students in educational support 

They point students towards our resources and events, designed especially for students and graduates, such as our networking events, young member groups, careers guides and exclusive content they can get as members.
 

Some of other ways that Academic Liaison Officers assist students are:

• Providing careers guidance, such as helping students to choose a sector, help with writing a CV and interview techniques, and explaining our Career developer portal  
• Giving practical help with choosing topics, research, writing and presenting dissertations 
• Signposting to information, online research tools and one of the largest engineering knowledge centres in the world 
• Informing students about training courses and discounts for students
• Connecting students who need financial and practical support to our Support Network 

How you will benefit

By being an Academic Liaison Officer, you’ll make a valuable contribution to the engineering community, by supporting and inspiring future engineers.

The voluntary role can also help to progress your own personal and professional development. 

If you need guidance, one of our Business Development Managers will help you.

How much time it will take

It’s up to you how much time you spend on your Academic Liaison Officer role. It’s a voluntary position, so the amount of time it takes can vary. 

Where you will be

You can carry out this voluntary role at the university where you already work.  

How it works

If you’re interested in becoming an Academic Liaison Officer, or if you’d like more information, email alo@imeche.org .

We’ll put you in touch with one of our regional Business Development Managers who will contact you to explain more about the role and the next steps.