Obligations to the engineering profession

Regardless of our position in an organization or profession, we all have obligations and responsibilities to the career that we have chosen. In my case, as a registered professional engineer, I am legally, ethically and morally obligated to protect the public health, safety and welfare above all other interests. While not everyone has the legal component, we all have an ethical and moral obligation to do no harm.

This comes out of our natural instincts and the upbringing that our parents, grandparents, and, to a certain extent, peers instilled in us from an early age. Those natural instincts provide us guidance on ethical and moral issues throughout our lives. While differences in upbringing and our environment may make our experiences differ, one must believe that we all have similar ethical and moral principles.

As responsible members of our careers, each of us belongs to various organizations, societies (professional and technical) and trade associations. Which is where volunteering benefits you and your profession. It allows us to share our knowledge and experiences with other. And it also allows us to grow by learning from others’ experiences as well. Volunteering and mentoring is truly the “Pipeline to the Future” of the profession, but also our careers and the expansion of the “Body of Knowledge” within those careers.

Volunteering in organizations, societies and associations is an excellent means to build relationships, gain valuable experience and give back to your career and community. Whether asan experienced professional or just getting started in your career, volunteering can be a great means to enhance your skills, grow your network, and contribute to the growth and development of your profession and career.

A significant benefit to volunteering is the opportunity to build relationships and network with other like-minded professionals in your field or area of knowledge. Volunteering allows you to meet and work with other people who share your interests and passions. It allows you the opportunity to expand your knowledge while making valuable connections. This also may open the door to new job opportunities, referrals, and mentorship opportunities that can potentially assist you in the development of your own career.

Volunteering also allows you the chance to gain valuable experiences and skills that might take longer to acquire. When working within professional organizations and societies, one can gain opportunities to take on new roles and responsibilities that might not be offered in your day-to-day position. These opportunities can assist you in developing new skills while enhancing existing ones to become a better-rounded and valuable professional. Through volunteering you can gain opportunities to work on projects and initiatives that align with your own interests and passions making your work more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Volunteering is an excellent means to give back to the community and contribute to the development and growth of your profession. Through volunteering one can assist in shaping the direction of the profession, advocate for important issues, and make positive impacts on the lives of others. This can be a positive motivator, giving one a sense of purpose and fulfillment that might not be available within your day-to-day duties.

Additionally, volunteering can be a great means to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and advances within your fields of interest. Participating in meetings, conferences, webinarsand other events, you can learn about new technologies, emerging trends and best practices helping one to stay ahead of the curve. This is particularly valuable when one works in a rapidly changing field that requires one to stay current for success.

In professional organizations, societies or associations, volunteering can be a great opportunity to develop leadership skills. By taking on leadership roles, one can develop abilities to communicate, inspire, and motivate others, while also learning how to manage budgets, projects and other resources effectively. Such skills are essential to anyone wishing to advance in their career and can be applied in a wide variety of settings, both professional and personal.

Volunteering can be a rewarding and valuable experience. It offers numerous benefits for professional growth at all stages of one’s career. Volunteering can be a powerful tool to advance one’s goals by building a network, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in your field, developing and improving one’s leadership skills. For those interested in volunteering, you can begin by reaching out to your professional organizations, societies, and associations in your field and asking how you can get more involved. With a little effort and time one can make a meaningful contribution to your profession and community, both professional and personal, while also enhancing your skills, building a wider network, and achieving better results for your career goals.

Mentoring, as volunteering, allows one to share their knowledge and experiences with others. We are all experts at something even when we do not necessarily see it in ourselves. Sometimes we just need to believe in ourselves,step outside of our protective shells and take that first step to volunteer or mentor. It will greatly expand your view of the profession and career, while assisting others to grow in theirs. It is a rewarding experience to share with others as well as gain others viewpoints.

I have been active in both my professional and technical organizations for many years. And I can share that it has always been a positive experience. I have gained much from those who came before me and take great pleasure in sharing and assisting others to grow in their careers. I have mentored those who are just beginning in their careers as well as those who have had many years of experience but are transitioning from one technical specialty into my areas of expertise. And I will continue to share my knowledge and experiences with those who seek me out for as long as I can assist others to grow and gain both personally and professionally.