Darrel Chong

Name: Chong Sau Foong, Darrel

Job Title: Joint Ph.D Candidate, Engineering Management

Organization: National University of Singapore, & Eindhoven University of Technology

Industry: Research

Location: Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Work Description: Investigate the impact of perceived Time Pressure on New Product Development Team processes, and Team performances.

Interests: Reading biographies, Observing Nemo and Elmo (my goldfish0

Current IEEE Volunteer Position/s:

Member, 2007 IEEE Nomination & Appointment Committee, and Past Chair, 2007 RAB GOLD Committee

How did IEEE find you?

By chance. I wanted to be involved with a student club when I was a 2^nd year undergrad. IEEE student branch was the only club that is still open for nominees. So, I ran and was elected!

 Describe shortly something that you did as a volunteer that you are proud of.

Region 10 Student Congress. Putting the first student congress in Asia was a very challenging one. Scouting for funds, garnering support, and hosting the delegates. These really stretched me in all sense. Unforgettable.

How has IEEE nurture you as a person?

Volunteering with IEEE has certainly taught me to collaborate with people from different backgrounds and nationalities. The journey has sharpened my leadership acumen, and given me opportunities to explore who I am.

How has IEEE prepared you for your workplace?

Currently, the Ph.D research requires me to solicit development teams from Multinational Companies like Philips, NXP, ASML. I was able to reach out with more confidence and ease to the Europeans management to convince them of my research propositions.

What do you like most about volunteering with IEEE?

Exercising my creativity and leadership skills in a safe environment. I enjoyed the most when I see my team achieves goals that they didn't thought was possible as a volunteer. Feels good.

What wouldn't be possible for you, if you hadn't volunteer for IEEE?

I certainly won't be able meet so many nice people from all around the globe. I will have lose out on the possibilities of lifelong friendships if I wasn't volunteering.

What do you find unique about IEEE?

It has an effective volunteer-staff operation model that worked out amazingly well. IEEE also has a very open environment for ideas to flourish. People actually listen to you. Strange enough. Me?

Why did you continue volunteering?

It seems like IEEE is able to attract people with desires to give. I enjoy being with like-minded people. And of course, I like sharpening my professional skills and be given opportunities to do so. Naturally, it is a challenge to balance between family, career, private life, and volunteering.

One (Two or Three) IEEE friend/s who left an inspiring impression on you.

Igor Marchesini, Ed Palacio, Ted Hissey