Empowering Engineers Across Borders: My IET Volunteer Journey
Celebrating Global Impact During National Volunteers Week 2025
Volunteering has played a vital role in shaping who I am as an engineer and a person. I am a Chartered Engineer specializing in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, currently working as a Scientific Researcher, Pukyong National University in South Korea. Alongside my academic and research pursuits, I am deeply committed to contributing to the global engineering community through my volunteer roles at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
I began my journey with the IET in 2016 as a student member. At that point, my goal was to stay connected to the wider engineering world while studying. But as I became more aware of the IET’s vast volunteer network, I saw an opportunity to not only grow personally and professionally but also to give back. In 2019, I stepped into my first active volunteer role as an IET Young Professionals Ambassador (YPA). It was a formative experience. I found myself representing young engineers, connecting with peers, and promoting IET values and opportunities at local universities.
My involvement continued to deepen in the following years. In 2022, I became an Executive Committee Member of the IET Young Professionals Network in Sri Lanka. This was followed by my appointment as Honorary Treasurer in 2023, and in 2024, I proudly served as the Vice Chair of the YP Network. Each role has brought new responsibilities, from managing finances and organising events to leading initiatives that engage and support young professionals. What I value most is the ability to build something meaningful for others while simultaneously developing leadership and strategic thinking skills myself.
Currently, I also serve as an International Professional Registration Adviser (IPRA) for the IET. In this capacity, I assist engineers from various countries with their CEng and IEng professional registration processes. Many applicants face challenges when it comes to writing their competence reports, which is a key component of the application. To support them, I have actively conducted knowledge-sharing sessions, offered personalised guidance, and helped candidates understand how to align their experience with the UK-SPEC requirements. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see engineers grow in confidence and achieve professional recognition through support that not only clarifies the process but also encourages them to reflect on the true value of their work.
In addition to being an IPRA, I’m also an active member of the IET Robotics and Mechatronics Technical Network, a role that closely aligns with both my technical interests and professional background. As a researcher working in the field of biomedical engineering, I’m currently involved in cutting-edge research focused on developing digital healthcare solutions for managing various diseases. With this interest, I joined the Robotics Network because I realised that robotics has immense potential to transform the healthcare domain. I believe through this platform, I can contribute voluntarily by enhancing and organising events in robotics and healthcare, offering insights, sharing research findings, and collaborating on initiatives that could benefit patients, clinicians, and the wider engineering community.
People often ask me why I devote so much time to volunteering. My reasons are many. First and foremost, it has provided me with invaluable networking opportunities. I’ve met professionals across industries and continents conversations that have enriched both my career and worldview. Volunteering also allows me to share the skills I’ve gained while continuing to learn new ones, especially in event coordination, mentoring, and public engagement. It has helped me develop leadership qualities in real-world settings, from leading teams to managing logistics and delivering presentations. There’s also a unique sense of pride that comes with each appointment and achievement. Being recognised within a respected international organisation like the IET brings both satisfaction and motivation.
What I Enjoy Most About Volunteering
I enjoy connecting with IET Young Professionals and expanding my network across different regions and industries. These interactions help me build lasting professional relationships and exchange ideas with future engineering leaders.
I enjoy working as a volunteer closely with experienced engineers and technical experts, which gives me deep insights into how different sectors operate. Every conversation, whether formal or informal, becomes a learning opportunity that shapes my perspective on the engineering world.
I enjoy collaborating with IET volunteers and staff globally. The sense of community and mutual respect is strong, and I’m grateful for the lifelong friendships and international connections I’ve built through this network.
Spreading awareness about the IET among students and early-career engineers is another part of volunteering that I truly enjoy. Helping them understand what the IET offers and seeing their curiosity evolve into action is incredibly fulfilling. I actively support the establishment of IET student activities at universities, where students take charge of organising events, hosting talks, and building their own professional communities.
My IPRA role is especially meaningful to me. I enjoy supporting engineers through the process of professional registration, guiding them in preparing their competence reports, and helping them align with the UK-SPEC framework. Every successful application feels like a shared achievement and reinforces my belief in the power of peer guidance. I’m guiding young professionals to achieve their professional registration in the early stage of their career.
I enjoy leading initiatives to promote IET student engagement and technical outreach. From organising university workshops to panel discussions and career development sessions, I get to exercise leadership, project management, and public speaking skills while delivering real impact to communities.
Engineering event organisation is another area I thoroughly enjoy. Whether planning a conference, coordinating a seminar, or managing a regional activity, I find purpose in making events successful. I also enjoy participating in awards programs that recognise excellence and volunteer contributions. These acknowledgements remind me that every bit of effort matters.
Receiving appreciation and recognition for my volunteering work motivates me further. It’s rewarding to know that my time and efforts contribute to meaningful change, while also raising my visibility within the global engineering community.
I enjoy exploring different industries through technical visits and field trips. These experiences broaden my understanding of engineering applications, technologies, and practices in real-world environments.
I also enjoy leading and participating in international conferences and research forums. Engaging in global discussions and presenting my work at academic platforms strengthens both my research and outreach capabilities.
And finally, I genuinely enjoy the fun side of volunteering, whether it's group socials, interactive workshops, or informal community events. These moments build strong bonds among volunteers and make the journey memorable and enjoyable.
Looking back, I can confidently say that volunteering has helped me become a more confident communicator, a better collaborator, and a more open-minded engineer. I’ve grown in ways that textbooks and lectures alone could never provide. And most importantly, I’ve had the opportunity to give back.
To anyone reading this, whether you’re a student, graduate, or working professional, I encourage you to consider volunteering with the IET. It’s a chance to make a real impact, develop leadership, expand your network, and be part of groundbreaking projects shaping the future of our profession. You’ll grow, you’ll inspire others, and you’ll walk away with skills and memories that last a lifetime.
Join us. Be part of the change. Let’s continue advancing engineering for the benefit of society together.