This Volunteer Week we celebrate our graduate members by asking four of our dedicated volunteers what inspires them and why giving back to the profession is so important.

Shannon Kieran, Young Engineers Australia Northern committee member - Engineering is a profession that relies on collaboration and I believe volunteering is a logical extension to this mindset.    

My passion for promoting our profession to young upcoming professionals stems from my personal experiences. I believe exposing students to industry mentors and role models at both school and tertiary levels is critical for promoting the construction industry as a desirable career path. Our current labour shortages highlight how important it is to secure our talent pipeline for the future. 

Amy Phan, Chair of the Electric Energy Society of Australia - When I was studying engineering, I formed networks with industry representatives through the Electric Energy Society of Australia and Engineers Australia events. These networks gave me opportunities that have changed the trajectory of my career.  

I have been provided with opportunities to help upcoming engineering students and enrich their careers. To do this we provide a platform where professional individuals can share their experiences and in turn, the engineering profession can thrive and overcome challenges.   

Akshat Sharma, Deputy Chair of Young Engineers Australia WA committee - As an international student, I quickly learned the importance of presenting professionally and confidently. To improve my communication skills, I decided to participate in several volunteering opportunities.  

Of all my experiences, volunteering for Engineers Australia has been the most rewarding. It allowed me to build new relationships, gain experience, boost my self-esteem, and collaborate with engineering professionals from various fields, resulting in valuable connections.   

Dana Crier, Young Engineers Australia WA committee member - I attended panel discussions and talks throughout high school and university. These were key to my understanding of what an engineer does and the many different career pathways open to you if you have an engineering degree.  

I wanted to help organise and speak at similar events to inspire the next generation of engineers and help students who aren’t sure which pathway to take. It was important for me to inform young engineers about the opportunities in the various engineering specialisations.   

If you are interested in volunteering, click here to find opportunities in your area.