In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I speak with Barry Cordero, national president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). SHPE is the premier national organization aimed at increasing the number of Hispanics contributing to the nation’s innovation-and-technology future. As the national president of SHPE, Cordero focuses on SHPE programs and events to enable growth. Cordero also works as a full-time principal project engineer with Medtronic Inc., where, in addition to other accomplishments, he pioneered a systemic hands-on training program for all employees to engage in problem solving.
In this session, Cordero will provide specific strategies for getting the most out of your professional association membership.
At the end of the show, Cordero will give one actionable tip to help you transform your experience as an association member.
“The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.” – Vince Lombardi
Listen to this session and learn:
- How professional associations can help you achieve goals you wouldn’t achieve if you weren’t involved in them.
- Why having a support group as an engineer or student can completely change your career for the better.
- How assuming a leadership role in a professional association forces you to lead by influence and gives you invaluable experience for your resume.
- What skills associations will give you that will directly help you in your engineering career.
- How associations help you improve your communication and speaking skills and build your confidence.
- Ways that you can further develop your technical skills beyond what is available from your engineering company.
Resources and links mentioned in this session include:
Free Resources for Engineers
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Public Speaking Guide for Engineers
Toastmasters International (TI)
Leave a Review of the Show on iTunes
An Event in Texas for Engineers Who Are Seeking Partnership
Institute for Engineering Career Development
Click Here for Session #17 Transcription
How have you benefitted from your professional association memberships?
Please leave your comments or questions in the section below.
2 Responses
I really liked your comment: get comfortable in uncomfortable situations. Hope you don’t mind, will shamelessly steal with kindness, your quote.
Reflecting on my experience in leading a rag tag group of volunteers. I’ve learned the tremendous honour and humility that the team has chosen/allowed me to lead them. Perhaps this fact drives me to work harder for the team’s goal, as to not let them down in the position they voted me to lead them.
That is great Elias – thanks for sharing your experience!