#InternationalVolunteerDay

5 Dec marks the annual International Volunteer Day. Reflecting upon the year 2017, I could not have been more grateful of all the experiences I have gained through the IET. As an active volunteer with the Western Australia local network for over 4 years, this year I could not have been more proud working alongside with my team led by Martin (main committee) and Israa & Dave (Young Professionals). 

This year I am incredibly proud of our volunteers who have worked around the clock to push for an even bigger and better Leadership Program. Tynan has led a fantastic team to nurture the next generation of engineers through the Leadership Program. I am particularly proud of the Bike Charger team who had volunteered so much of their time to create an innovative marketing material to promote STEM education among young children here in Western Australia. The Bike Charger has been circulated around the IET Members News and I for one applaud these wonderful volunteers for their outstanding contribution.

Our Young Professional team has done exceptionally well today. Facing the tough job climate today in Western Australia, our team has vigorously put up How To Win A Job at different university campuses to help university students secure either a vacation work or a graduate program. Israa has been a real driver in so many of our Young Professionals events as she envisions to create a better environment for young engineers here in Perth. We have also held joint sundowner events with IEEE to provide an opportunity for engineers to network and meet others in an informal settings. In addition, our Young Professionals team has done numerous social events such as rock climbing, dinner and birthday celebrations. These have made our time volunteering with the IET an unforgettable and enjoyable one.

This year I have been extremely fortunate volunteering with the IET. The IET has flown me to places where I have never been before such as Brisbane and Auckland. I am forever grateful of the travel experiences as it allows me to reconnect with familiar faces and to meet other young professionals from all across the world. The most valuable experience I have got out of all these is definitely the opportunity that I was offered to present at the Communities Committee Asia Pacific (CCAP) conference in Auckland. As a fresh graduate, it was both daunting and nerve breaking to take on such a huge platform to present on a topic (social media) which I am so passionate about. If you had told me about all these wonderful opportunities I had a decade ago, never ever in my wildest dream would I have believed you. Hence, for this I am deeply grateful of the opportunity the IET has provided me with.

Thank you for a great year IET. Thank you for all the valuable experience and the travel opportunities I have been given. As we enter the festive season and get ready to wrap up the year, I am already looking forward to 2018 and what is in store for me. To all IET volunteers near and far, thank you so much for all your hard work. Happy International Volunteer Day!

Leon

General Committee

IET Western Australia Main Committee & Young Professionals General Committee