Rambali Raghavan’s Volunteering Story
Today, we explore the inspiring journey of Rambali, our Professional Registration volunteer. He began as a Professional Registration Advisor in 2016 and was elected Fellow of the IET in 2020. Since then, he has also become a Fellowship Advisor. Rambali enjoys talking to applicants from diverse backgrounds, which broadens his horizons and enriches his understanding of various career paths.
The Joy and Impact of Altruistic Volunteering
Rambali believes in giving back to society without expecting anything in return. He hopes his efforts will contribute to a better future for society and the planet. In a world where altruism is often lacking, Rambali finds immense joy and satisfaction in volunteering. It gives him a sense of purpose and allows him to positively influence someone's budding career.
His journey into volunteering began with curiosity. Rambali enjoys meeting new people from various industries and backgrounds, learning about their work, and discovering how he can help shape their paths. Quotes like "The only constant in life is change," "Be the change you want to see," and "Success without fulfilment is hollow," resonate deeply with him.
Professional Guidance with Integrity
Over the years, Rambali has met with hundreds of applicants, most of whom genuinely seek help and guidance. One memorable experience involved identifying a fraudulent applicant, which he had to report to the IET due to plagiarism. This incident reminded him of the lengths some individuals will go to achieve professional registration.
As a Professional Registration Advisor, Rambali approaches each applicant with an open mind and a remit to help. He has learned to trust his intuition and report back if something doesn't feel right.
People, Projects and the Profession
With a career spanning three decades, Rambali often thinks about his legacy and contributions to society. He strives to contribute to three areas: People, Projects, and the Profession of engineering. Volunteering is integral to all these areas.
While reward and recognition are appreciated, true fulfilment for Rambali comes from positively impacting others' lives. Whenever someone seeks his advice, help, or mentorship, he sees it as an opportunity to be of service.
The Power of Self-Awareness
In today's world, there is an abundance of advice available. However, Rambali emphasises the importance of tailoring advice to each individual's needs. As an advisor, he listens to applicants, gauges their strengths and weaknesses, and uses critical thinking to optimise their career paths beyond just professional registration.
If he were to offer one piece of advice, it would be that self-awareness is key. Not just in engineering, but in life and learning. Self-awareness is the starting point for analysing oneself and embarking on the journey towards becoming the best version of oneself.
Thank you, Rambali, for sharing your experiences with us and for continuing to volunteer with the IET.
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