As a high school or college student, you may have been connected to AISES in any number of ways. Now, as a working professional, you may find it harder to keep those ties with the organization. One simple way to make sure you stay connected and involved — and support the AISES mission — is volunteering. There are many great ways to volunteer with AISES as a working professional. Here are just a few.
Serve on an Advisory Council
AISES has seven different advisory councils, in areas ranging from corporate to Tribal Nations. Each council is responsible for advising AISES regarding their respective sectors, and engaging with the larger community to identify projects, initiatives, and events that strengthen AISES as an organization and drive it forward. Joining an advisory council will allow you to help guide and shape AISES, and provide students with some of the same opportunities you enjoyed.
Get Involved in a Professional Chapter — or Start One
Your involvement with AISES doesn’t have to end once you graduate. In fact, AISES hopes it doesn’t! AISES prides itself on being able to support Natives in STEM at all stages of their lives. Volunteer to start an AISES chapter at your workplace, or join an existing chapter and volunteer to help with whatever they are currently working on. Professional Chapters are a great way to stay involved with AISES and with other Native professionals in similar fields. You can choose your level of involvement — and you don’t even have to leave work to volunteer.
Serve as a College Chapter Advisor
No AISES chapter can exist without an advisor, and who better for the job than someone who knows how amazing AISES is? If you work at a college or university that has an existing chapter or is looking to start one, offer to be the chapter’s advisor or co-advisor. As an advisor you can show students that you support the organization’s mission and goals, and help them navigate situations as they arise. What better way to volunteer than to help bring AISES to new members!
Participate in the Full-Circle Mentorship Program
As a working professional, the Full-Circle Mentorship Program provides you with an opportunity to volunteer your time mentoring a college student both academically and as they begin the journey to their chosen career. As a mentor, you will be able to stay connected to AISES while helping students realize their potential. Being a mentor may even allow you to improve some of your own skills and enhance your resume.
Offer to Help However You Can
It may be that current volunteer opportunities don’t work with your schedule, or aren’t really what you’re looking for. Don’t despair! Reach out to AISES and let them know that you’re interested in helping — and how you can pitch in. You may volunteer to redesign the website, provide additional marketing ideas for the National Conference, or just be available as a resource whenever they need an extra set of hands.
The most important thing is that you volunteer. AISES will be thrilled to have an individual ready to help them do more. You’ll never know how much good you can do — and how good volunteering feels — unless you try.
Volunteering is not only a great way to remain involved with AISES, it’s a wonderful opportunity to help support and guide younger members, create positive change, and advance the organization’s overall mission. What’s more, volunteering has been proven to be good for your health. Now’s the time to reach out to AISES and give back in whatever way works best for you!
On Topic
Marcellus Proctor is an enrolled member of the Piscataway-Conoy Nation, located in southern Maryland. As the assistant division chief of the Electrical Engineering Division at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC), he assists in the leadership of an organization of engineers, technicians, managers, and support staff engaged in the design, analysis, development, integration, and launch of electrical and electronics systems. Proctor was chair of the NASA/GSFC Native American Advisory Committee (NAAC) from 2007 to 2011 and is currently co-chair of the AISES Government Relations Council (GRC). He is a lifetime member of the Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE), AISES, and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Proctor received a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland College Park and an MS in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
Why is it a good idea to volunteer — personally and professionally?
Volunteering your own resources (time, monetary, networking, etc.) allows you to give back to the community or organization that has helped you both professionally and personally throughout your journey. Nothing gets done by one person alone — we have to band together to make the changes we want to see in our community and our nation.
How can people with limited time still volunteer?
Volunteering is easier if you can find opportunities that you genuinely enjoy and in an area for which you have passion. With everyone’s busy schedules, it’s good to carve out a block of time — one day a month or an hour every two weeks — for activities that benefit your community or an organization that you actively support.
What resources are helpful for people looking for volunteer opportunities?
Communities and organizations are always looking for volunteers. A good start in looking for volunteer opportunities is speaking with an AISES chapter leader or board member. Ask where your talents and resources can be best utilized. Also, almost every community and organization has a website. Start by checking to see if they have a “How to Help” page, or just email to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
What are five ways professionals can volunteer through AISES?
Here are five ways to make a difference through AISES:
• Reviewing resumes during the National or Regional Conferences,
• Serving as a judge for poster sessions or STEM fairs,
• Serving on a committee (advisory council or a local Professional Chapter),
• Participating as a reviewer on the Professional Awards committee, and
• Mentoring a student who is looking to enter a STEM field or, more specifically, the same discipline you are currently working in.
