Members, Mentor a Member!
January 2009 was National Mentoring Month in the US. This yearly effort mobilizes volunteers to help young people reach their potential. Various programs are designed to help young people live productive lives.
The International Society of Automation has an opportunity to help the young and not-so-young people working in automation career fields, or those who want to learn more about our profession. We have a large network of individuals who are perfectly suited for the role of mentor. The numerous ISA Sections and Divisions could provide the right type of mentor for present and future automation professionals.
On a recent trip to Edmonton and Calgary in Canada, I was struck by the very positive relationship between student sections and regular section members. I witnessed a strong connection, and genuine concern, for the futures of all students entering into careers in automation. It was apparent to me that the good folks in these two sections have regular contact with their students. The ISA Members regularly provide advice, counsel, direction, and yes, positive role models for these young folks.
At the Section or Division level, you can contact a member of a nearby Student Section. Tell them what automation is really all about. Let them know how enjoyable your career has been. Take them to your job site and give them an opportunity to live the life of an automation professional for a day or two. Answer their questions. I guarantee that it will be rewarding--not only for the young person, but also for you, because it’s true that we “get what we give.”
Now, I want to talk about the automation professional that may be going through some hard times. We, as working ISA Members, have a professional responsibility to mentor our fellow members who are under some level of employment stress. The economic situation around the globe has left some of our automation colleagues without jobs. They may have been furloughed because of the present economic environment. Now is a perfect time to practice the concept of “association.” We are ISA Members for a number of personal reasons, including continuing education and training, publications, standards, etc. But more important than those things, we are part of a larger community. ISA is 30,000 strong.
If you know of a member who has recently been furloughed, give them a call and offer them your counsel. Help them through these rough times. Let them know that they have a network of support that is an email or phone call away. If you are an out of work ISA member, seek out your fellow members. I am confident that they will be more than willing to offer assistance. ISA will be setting up a webpage of resources specifically for people who find themselves unemployed in this difficult economic time.
On many occasions during my time in ISA, I have seen and felt the power of what it truly means to be part of an “association.” I have seen out of work members who attend a section meeting leave that event with a stack of business cards and a promise to talk to the member about employment possibilities.
Let’s have an association movement to help our fellow Members. Let’s call it “Member, Mentor A Member!” Reach out to those Members who are caught in the downturn of the world economy. Let them know that they have a friend in ISA. If you are a Member caught in this situation, do not hesitate to contact your fellow ISA Members, and check the website for resources that can help you. I have found over the years that the people that make up ISA are some of the most caring, sensitive, influential, and friendly people around. Together, we can all get through these uncertain times.
Visit ISA’s Resources for Unemployed and Underemployed Automation Professionals webpage.
-Jerry
The International Society of Automation has an opportunity to help the young and not-so-young people working in automation career fields, or those who want to learn more about our profession. We have a large network of individuals who are perfectly suited for the role of mentor. The numerous ISA Sections and Divisions could provide the right type of mentor for present and future automation professionals.
On a recent trip to Edmonton and Calgary in Canada, I was struck by the very positive relationship between student sections and regular section members. I witnessed a strong connection, and genuine concern, for the futures of all students entering into careers in automation. It was apparent to me that the good folks in these two sections have regular contact with their students. The ISA Members regularly provide advice, counsel, direction, and yes, positive role models for these young folks.
At the Section or Division level, you can contact a member of a nearby Student Section. Tell them what automation is really all about. Let them know how enjoyable your career has been. Take them to your job site and give them an opportunity to live the life of an automation professional for a day or two. Answer their questions. I guarantee that it will be rewarding--not only for the young person, but also for you, because it’s true that we “get what we give.”
Now, I want to talk about the automation professional that may be going through some hard times. We, as working ISA Members, have a professional responsibility to mentor our fellow members who are under some level of employment stress. The economic situation around the globe has left some of our automation colleagues without jobs. They may have been furloughed because of the present economic environment. Now is a perfect time to practice the concept of “association.” We are ISA Members for a number of personal reasons, including continuing education and training, publications, standards, etc. But more important than those things, we are part of a larger community. ISA is 30,000 strong.
If you know of a member who has recently been furloughed, give them a call and offer them your counsel. Help them through these rough times. Let them know that they have a network of support that is an email or phone call away. If you are an out of work ISA member, seek out your fellow members. I am confident that they will be more than willing to offer assistance. ISA will be setting up a webpage of resources specifically for people who find themselves unemployed in this difficult economic time.
On many occasions during my time in ISA, I have seen and felt the power of what it truly means to be part of an “association.” I have seen out of work members who attend a section meeting leave that event with a stack of business cards and a promise to talk to the member about employment possibilities.
Let’s have an association movement to help our fellow Members. Let’s call it “Member, Mentor A Member!” Reach out to those Members who are caught in the downturn of the world economy. Let them know that they have a friend in ISA. If you are a Member caught in this situation, do not hesitate to contact your fellow ISA Members, and check the website for resources that can help you. I have found over the years that the people that make up ISA are some of the most caring, sensitive, influential, and friendly people around. Together, we can all get through these uncertain times.
Visit ISA’s Resources for Unemployed and Underemployed Automation Professionals webpage.
-Jerry
posted by ISA at
8:30 AM
1 Comments:
Dear Dr. Cockrell:
If you are looking for ideas to entice potential younger members, please find a copy of the February 2009 issue of IEEE Spectrum. This is their second year of covering young, diverse engineers and explaining their frustrations and opportunities. Perhaps Ellen Policastro of In Tech could do something similar?
Best wishes, Marcus Rasco, President, North TX ISA
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