Millennial Engineers
An engineer’s job is essential, there’s no question there.
Our job affects individuals and communities as a whole.
Our jobs, no matter what field of engineering it may be, is to design and create products which make people’s life easier.
However, it is still important for engineers to find a way to give back to our respective communities.
Here are some ways millennial engineers can give back this Christmas season.
Mentorship
One of our best natural and honed talents as engineers are our intellects.
We are known by our exceptional problem solving and analytical skills, and let’s not forget mathematics.
Most universities have groups or organizations that help mentor students (engineering or non-engineering) with subjects they have difficulty in.
If you want to go to a smaller scale, offer to teach that friend/s of yours with that subject their having difficulty with, but you’re an expert in.
If you’re the shy type, go create an account on Reddit and Quora and help some students and enthusiasts with their engineering related problems and if you’re up for it, upload some
How-To’s on the page as well and give back to the engineering community worldwide. You’ll be surprised how much people appreciate you’re online help.
Volunteering
Look for a charity, orphanage, medical missions or any organization that needs volunteers that you are passionate about and be involved. You could lend your expertise in different ways and if your expertise isn’t relevant, just being involved and helping anyway you can will always suffice.
Community Projects
As engineers, you can also choose to help out in the development of different community projects around you. Just like lawyers who work on pro bono cases, you can offer your services as engineers for free for certain projects you think will be beneficial to your community.
Seminars
As engineers, you can offer free seminars on STEM to younger generations such as those who are still entering university.
You’ll be surprised to know that there are still a lot of students who are hesitant to enter any STEM related course, especially women.
Encouraging the future generation to enter our world, and showing them the potential of what they can do as future engineers (or any other STEM related career) will help remove the stigma that STEM courses are not for everyone.
Donation
Engineering is one of the highest paid professions in the world.
If you don’t have time for any of the suggestions we mentioned above, you can always find an organization that you are passionate about and dedicate a portion of your salary in cash or in kind to their cause.
Your donation, no matter how small or big, can go a long way.
These are just some ways we engineers can give back this Christmas season. No matter how small or how great you think you helped, what matters is that you had initiative to do so.
Your help can go a long way, and could change someone’s life. At the same time you’ll be able to inspire other people to do the same in the future as well.
