Volunteering can be a rewarding experience to pay it forward in the industry. It can help you build interpersonal skills, keep your technical skills sharp and widen networking opportunities.
Here are 5 engineering volunteer opportunities you could check out:
1. Power of Engineering
Power of Engineering look for student and industry volunteers to help run site tours, facilitate industry talks and workshops and manage projects. While their focus is on engineering, they are open to all volunteers as some of their roles are managerial and operational roles.
2. Engineering Without Borders (EWB)
EWB have a vision where a world technology benefits all. EWB believe engineers act as stewards of technology, so their role is critical in the world. EWB offer students a chance to gain valuable hands-on experience in the industry – check out EWB student opportunities.
While for professionals, there are many mentoring, overseas deployment and pro-bono projects that need help on – check out EWB professional opportunities.
3. STEM Professionals in Schools
CSIRO and the Department of Education organises STEM Professionals in Schools, which is one of the largest national skilled volunteering programs. Running over 15 years, the program matches teachers and STEM professionals in the industry to upskill and help teachers be more confident teaching the curriculum and meeting their students’ needs.
4. Engineering World Health
EWH is based in the U.S. but the EWH Chapters program helps their students connect to a global network of engineers. The Chapters organise on-campus events, form committees for projects and collaborate with other organisations in the industry.
In Australia, there is a branch at the University of Sydney and University of Queensland that organise Chapters – so reach out and connect with them to see what volunteering opportunities are available.
5. Engineering Australia (EA)
There are over 2,500 volunteers that act as ambassadors for Engineers Australia. The EA branches also have committees that engineering professionals can volunteer for. The EA website also has a comprehensive volunteering toolkit that can help you get started.
For other engineering volunteer roles for smaller organisations or based on projects are also frequently available. Check out the Seek Volunteer website.