Message from 2010 GOLD Committee Chair

Dear IEEE GOLD volunteers,

 

I am proud to be a GOLD member of the IEEE. My peers are dynamic and ambitious graduate students and young professionals who are laying the foundations for impressive careers in science, engineering, management, teaching, and other fields.

 

The IEEE’s Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) program provides opportunities for members to grow their technical and non-technical skills. As a young professional, I quickly learned that IEEE membership would help me reach my personal goals of leadership. I went to a free leadership seminar that IEEE held in my area and took advantage of a wealth of online professional development tools. Through my involvement with the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society, I became a volunteer for GOLD and spent time interacting with world leaders in mobile communications, land transportation, and automotive systems. How many recent graduates in any field have that opportunity?   

 

The opportunities for leadership are only one benefit. Another tremendous value that I have found within IEEE is the engineering network. My IEEE friends and colleagues live on every inhabited continent and are professionals in a wide variety of fields, shaping the future of technology that affects our daily lives. When my manager at work wants to know more about a particular topic, I can usually get an expert on the phone within a few days. I also love that my colleagues in the IEEE are the most professional, courteous, and motivated group of people that I have ever met.

 

Other IEEE member benefits include the monthly GOLD webinars focusing on career development skills, cutting-edge technology topics, and humanitarian initiatives. GOLDRush Newsletter, published by IEEE GOLD members, contains valuable advice to help you in the job market or be more competitive within your organization. 

 

The ten years after you receive your first degree are the most critical towards shaping your career. IEEE is highly respected and looks good on your resume, but it is also an invaluable partner for motivated people who want to take their careers to the next level. Whether you are a young professor doing research and publishing papers, or an engineer wanting to take on bigger and better projects, you will find that the connections and resources of IEEE and the GOLD program are well worth taking the time to explore.

As 2010 MGA GOLD Committee Chair, I am leading a team of volunteers working to continually improve the IEEE member experience. We love hearing from you, so please drop us a line at gold@ieee.org.

2010 GOLD Committee Chair