<p>What kind of volunteer work/extra curricular activities should I look for as an engineering major. In my opinion, work experience/volunteer work overrides the associations that many engineering majors join but never take part of. This summer I’m only taking one class online and I’m pretty bored most of the time. Right now I can’t find anything locally for volunteer work that relates to my major (civil). I want to get a lot work experience (even if it just volunteer work or non paid) to build my resume rather than joining tons of Greek societies my friends are doing and saying that “I am a smart person” on my resume. What have you done? How did you find it? Advice?</p>
<p>You should find stuff that interests you. And then become involved in it at a high quality level.</p>
<p>Take on leadership activities in extra curriculars you are involved with. THs shows leadership skills, motivation to get involved and that you have a life outside of school.</p>
<p>is there anything that you guys are a part of?</p>
<p>Don’t worry about what other people do. What are YOU interested in?</p>
<p>Are you talking about this summer specifically? Or during the school year as well?</p>
<p>I’ve been involved in quite a lot of extracurricular activities over my college years. For two years, I was involved in the Electrical Engineering Student Committee, which represents all EE students in the school. Last year, I was elected president of that committee. I had meetings with the Head of the Department at least once a month and organized many social activities for EE students, including a Wine & Cheese event where representatives from various engineering companies were invited.</p>
<p>This year, I’m the treasurer of the Student Union, so I’m basically in charge of running a $600,000 budget.</p>
<p>Finally, I’ll also be the president of the 2011 Quebec Engineering Competition, in which about 200 engineering students from across the province will compete.</p>
<p>Work-wise, I had an internship at Areva T&D last summer, and I’m hoping to get another one for next summer.</p>
<p>ken285: anytime during your college years of engineering. past involvement with volunteer work, extra curricular etc.</p>
<p>canadian_ee: wow, that sounds like you had a busy schedule. see, i was never the type to be part of a committee in terms of higher positions…i enjoy being more of a member that takes part of events and such.</p>
<p>i guess networking is key. i’ll talk to several friends and even professors to see whats out there that interests me and i could benefit as an engineering student (communications, leadership, responsibility, teamwork etc.) thanks guys!</p>
<p>if you like working with younger students, look for grade-school science/engineering programs that you can volunteer with. i know several students who work with a local organization that runs something like this. i don’t know if the kids compete or if they are just trying to come up with the most creative fashion to solve a problem, but i hear its a lot of fun and you’re certainly allowing kids to explores passions in math, science, design, and problem solving.</p>
<p>Why not join some of those engineering associations, but do participate unlike others? That was one of my main issues when I was an officer of a student chapter of one of these organizations. </p>
<p>I was part of the ASCE/AISC Steel Bridge Competition as well as the ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition. Most schools with a civil engineering program usually participate in these (though some not on a regular basis).</p>