Volunteering

Amey Dharwadker, an award-winning machine-learning engineering manager who leads video recommendations quality ranking for Meta, volunteers with the IEEE Computer Society, mentoring up-and-coming professionals in his field. “I presented my first research paper at the IEEE India Council International Conference in 2010,” he says. “That experience introduced me to the profound impact of IEEE’s technical platforms and inspired my continued involvement.” IEEE has been a key platform for collaboration, learning, and professional growth, says Dharwadker, who also reviews research papers for IEEE Access. His involvement has helped him to be an effective manager.  “Leadership is more than a title,” he says. “It’s about amplifying voices that deserve to be heard.”

Stephanie Gillespie, Ph.D., spent three years as a committee chair for IEEE’s Engineering Projects in Community Service, known as EPICS in IEEE. “I was excited to lead a working group that created protocols for monitoring and evaluating the program’s metrics and impact,” says the electrical and computer engineer, who began working with EPICS in 2020. Her passion: to embed more service learning at the university level. She helped develop a travel grant program in which students can attend an IEEE conference and present a project—an experience that strengthens their IEEE connection, grows their professional network, and boosts confidence.  “We’re thrilled to engage young engineers looking for ways to make a difference,” Dr. Gillespie says.

Muhammad Hamza Ihtisham landed his job at Jazz, the largest telecommunications provider in Lahore, Pakistan, through his volunteer work at IEEE. Ihtisham founded the University of the Punjab’s IEEE student branch as an undergrad and as one of his efforts to hook would-be members, he invited a Jazz engineer to speak to students on campus. He later was appointed a student representative for the wider IEEE Lahore Section, and after graduating in 2018 and receiving his Master’s degree in 2022, the IEEE student branch chair interviewed at Jazz. That same engineer who’d come to present recognized him, and later offered Ihtisham the job. The recipient of 2021’s IEEE MGA Young Professionals Achievement Award for organizing YP activities, Ihtisham says the communications and negotiating skills he’s attained through networking with IEEE members worldwide have benefited him in his new role. “My involvement with IEEE served as leadership training,” he says.