The work that engineers do is essential. It directly affects people and the community as a whole. This is because their work is to create products and structures that are to be used by people, however it is still important for an engineer to find a way to give back to his or her community.
Volunteering
Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is an organization that helps people in areas that have been hit by disasters and calamities. Your volunteer input to this organization is of great importance because it is hard to get people to help out in these regions. Volunteering goes a long way in showing your dedication and approach to the profession. Volunteering early in your career will also help to give you work experience that you will help your professional development. This could be beneficial in helping you to land a job because you can how prospective employers that you are passionate about your job. Most importantly, the rewards are great because you get to improve the life of someone else.
You can decide to serve as a board member of the state or local chapters. These boards require qualified help because of the nature of the projects that they undertake. It is a step towards ensuring that there is good governance and resources are used efficiently. Serving in these positions will only require a small amount of your time. The effects are huge because your input could influence the projects within your community. You could also be a consultant and offer your expertise on different subjects. Your presence could end up saving a lot of costs for the organization that you help.
Mentorship
One can find a group or person to mentor by contacting a local school and asking about the projects that students are currently engaged in. You can also check out any STEM competitions within your locality and see if they are looking for any mentors. You can choose to partner with one team so that you can offer assistance as they develop their prototypes or even volunteer to become a judge at a competition. You will be able to advise the students while also promoting the competition in this position. You can also give back by giving them career advice to help them decide which career paths to take. This is important because it will have a huge effect on the lives of these children beyond just their careers.
FIRST is a mentorship program where engineers and other professionals are invited to speak and guide students through projects. It is also possible to join an after-school club that is focused on science and technology as many schools have these clubs. These clubs bring children together to work on projects that would not be possible at school. It is possible to mentor a child from grade school to high school. Sales training is an important skill, and you can also offer to teach it to those you are mentoring, or any skills that are important but not normally taught in school.
Community Projects
As an engineer, you can also choose to help out in the development of various community projects around you. This is the equivalent of working pro bono as a lawyer. The general idea is that you should create something that helps people in your community. An engineer is well-positioned because their work entails creating and developing structures and products. You can use your knowledge to come up with a solution to a problem that your community is facing .
Donation
Engineering is one of the highest paid professions in the world. You can choose to dedicate a portion of your income towards a charitable organization or a foundation. Numerous organizations accept donations of any amount today. Your donation can go a long way. It could change someone’s life. You can become a partner with a foundation and offer your support in other ways. This will enable you to be engaged directly and see the fruits of your labor. There are many ways that an engineer can give back. The important thing is that you try and pick at least one and commit to it.
References:
https://blog.civilengineeringcentral.com/2009/12/10/civil-engineers-giving-back-to-the-community/
https://www.reddit.com/r/engineering/comments/2hv8p3/how_do_engineers_give_back_to_the_community/
http://tryengineering.org/ask-expert/how-do-engineers-make-difference-their-communities-world
About the Author Carol Evenson:
Carol Evenson is a process automation consultant who specializes in systems management. She has worked alongside Fortune 1000 companies and currently assists organizations within the the US and UK.
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