So what is Pinterest?

Pinterest is a free social network where the content is driven entirely by visuals. It is accessible via the web and mobile devices, it was launched in March 2010 and quickly became one of fastest growing websites in history! The concept is very similar to the pin/bulletin board where you can physically pin items to a display board, Pinterest allows you to 'pin' content to an online platform. Users are able to pin images and videos to their online boards and other users are able to pin to these too. On Pinterest users are able to create multiple boards under a single profile which gives it an edge over similar social networks where you would need to set up separate accounts if you wanted to post multiple forms of content. Similar to other social media networks such as Twitter where you receive 'retweets' and Facebook where you and others are able to 'share' content, Pinterest allows its users to 'repin' content from different boards. This means users can either 'repin' relevant content to your board or if they come across something interesting on your board they can 'repin' it to theirs, this is Pinterests unique way of sharing content amongst its users.

Here are 10 engineering and construction Pinterest accounts from some of the well-known names in the both industries. Whether you are looking for industry information, an insight into different companies if you are considering new job opportunities or even interesting sector relevant ideas to keep your children entertained this summer there is something on these accounts for just about everyone!

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

This is a Pinterest account for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, an independent Engineering society founded in 1847, it now has over 113,000 members in 140 different countries! IMechE are renowned for their work across a number of sectors within engineering such as railway, aerospace and automotive, their Pinterest boards cover these and more! There are also boards with historical content documenting famous engineers all well as the ancestry of the Institute. They have 17 boards with over 420 pins full of interesting content to keep anyone with a keen interest in Mechanical Engineering engaged and informed!

Carey London Ltd

Carey London are construction, groundworks and RC frame specialists, this company was founded by Martin Carey in 2011. Careys Pinterest account has 18 boards, these boards contain 515 pins, so there is so much to look at and take in. As well as having boards dedicated to their current projects there is also a board full of amazing 'Construction past' pins! Carey have also added boards for interesting sector relevant books to read and creative boards with DIY and children's party ideas! This really is a Pinterest account full of very engaging content for anyone and everyone!

ICE Library 

ICE Library is the library and archive Pinterest account for the Institution of Civil Engineering, ICE library is home to the world's largest dedicated collection of civil engineering materials, so as you can imagine this account is full to the brim of enticing content! This account has 24 boards and over 500 pins. These boards include engineering reading material, engineering tips for children as well as historical content and a board showcasing some truly inspirational engineering.

Balfour Beatty

Balfour Beatty is a leading infrastructure group with an international presence founded in 1909 by George Balfour and Andrew Beatty. They operate across the full infrastructure life cycle from design to construction and beyond! Their Pinterest account consists of 4 boards with 48 pins, these include awards they have won as well as project information, and they also have a board showing their support for the hashtag campaign #BuildingBritain!

Arup group

Arup Group is an independent firm founded by Sir Ove Nyquist Arup in 1946. This firm to date has 11,000 staff based in 92 offices across 42 countries!  Arup Group is made up of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists. Their Pinterest account is made up of 7 boards with over 200 pins pinned to these boards, the content of these boards range from projects they have worked on to coverage of the Penguin Pool events they host all over the world, giving us all an insight to the interesting things that go on at these events.

BAM Construct UK

BAM Construction design, construct and refurbish buildings in both the public and private sectors as well as to build up their own impressive portfolio of properties. BAM have been in this industry building offices, schools, hospitals, hotels just to name a few since 1874 and are part of Royal BAM Group. BAM has 21 boards on their Pinterest account with 149 pins, these boards include content about their many projects across a number of sectors and also a board demonstrating their charity work for Macmillan. There is also a board called BAM TV, this is made up of pins from their very own YouTube channel!

Kier

Kier Group is a construction, services and property group with an active presence in the following sectors: building and civil engineering, support services, public and private housebuilding. Kier was founded in 1928 by Jorgen Lots and Olaf Kier and was originally opened under the name 'Lotz &Kier'. Kier has an account on Pinterest made up of two boards with 45 pins between them, these boards are 'Construction Projects', showcasing some of Kiers work and 'In the community', which show the work employees at Kier do within the community from charity fundraising to volunteering in their local area.

Atkins

Atkins is a British multinational company specialising in design engineering and project management. This company was founded by Sir William Atkins back in 1938. Their Pinterest account has 36 different boards and boasts over 1,000 pins! The content on this Pinterest account ranges from boards made up of engineering humour all the way through to information about their projects from all over the world! So there really is something for everyone on this account.

IET

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) was formed from two separate institutions: The Institution of Incorporated Engineers and The Institution of Electrical Engineers in 2006, it is now the largest multidisciplinary professional engineering institution in the world. Their Pinterest account consists of 22 boards with 756 pins! The boards on IET range in content from some of the history of the institution to awards ceremonies members of the IET have attended. There are also boards full of interesting sector relevant pins.

Aecom

AECOM is a multinational engineering firm based in the USA founded in April 1990. AECOM provides design, consulting, construction, and management services all over the world for both public and private clients. Approximately 95,000 employees work for AECOM, including architects, engineers, planners, designers and more! On Pinterest AECOMs account is made up of 11 boards with a total of 125 pins (to date). There is a chance to get to know the workers on their 'Our people' board, there is also a board dedicated to Rio 2016 with information about the role AECOM played in this!

If you are new to Pinterest here are some top tips on how to become an excellent 'pinner':

• Content is key-be an expert in your industry
• Make sure you are regularly pinning images, videos and information relevant to your company or whatever it is you are trying to drive traffic to (remember to insert links!)
• You can schedule your pins to go out at a specific time or on a specific day (Olapic formerly known as Piqora is an excellent tool for this!), this allows you to make sure you have regular content being pinned without you having to pin things each and every day
• Know your audience so you know exactly who you want to target your pins too
• Engage with other 'pinners' show you are being active-create eye catching infographics! Keep your content interesting!
• Check out your competition, what are they doing that you may not be? How do they create a 'buzz'?