How IEEE-USA Benefits
the U.S. Member

By George F. McClure
Editor, IEEE-USA Technology Policy Activities

Some members belong to IEEE primarily to receive publications from the world’s largest producer of literature on electrotechnology and, perhaps, to attend technical meetings sponsored by their technical society or its local chapters. Some members belong to take advantage of the insurance program or other aspects of the Financial Advantage program. Some find their chief attraction in the Engineering Management Society or the Professional Communication Society. Perceptive members may realize the opportunities available to them to develop organizational skills through running local sections, tutorials, or working on technical conferences. A relatively small number belong to participate in standards development.

Many members may not realize the ways in which IEEE-USA advances the professional and career interests of the U.S. IEEE member. Following are just some of those ways:

• The annual Professional Development Conference is an information-packed weekend with opportunities to improve "soft" communication and presentation skills, learn career-advancing tips, develop leadership skills, and to get exposure to pending legislation that may affect members. Separate GOLD tracks are aimed specifically at young members.

• Technology policy can have a strong influence on future engineering careers. IEEE-USA has five such committees, respected in government offices, and sought out for their expertise: Aerospace Policy; Communications and Information Policy; Energy Policy; Medical Technology Policy; and Research & Development. Technical societies are encouraged to send a representative to technology policy committee meetings and participate on the development of policy positions for use in advocating to legislators.

• Today, members often find that their career is not one continuous path, but a series of stepping stone positions that may include periods of self-employment. IEEE-USA’s popular job listing service has grown into the new IEEE-USA Global Employment Services site.

• With members having to assume more responsibility today for their careers, committees with a focus on career activities assume more importance. IEEE-USA has five such committees: Career Maintenance & Development; Engineering Employment Benefits; Intellectual Property; Licensure & Registration; and Workforce. Among their many important activities, these committees work to aid in career vitality, promote continuing education, protect employee benefits, and to encourage engineering registration and acquaint members with the steps involved.

• IEEE-USA surveys engineering salaries and benefits every two years, publishing the Salary and Fringe Benefit Survey, the premier report in this field.

• The IEEE-USA PACE Network, a grass-roots linkage to U.S. regions, areas/councils, sections and interested members, provides timely alerts on legislative issues, so that members can communicate their own views to congressional representatives.

• Congressional Fellows and Executive Fellows, drawn from member volunteers, spend a year aiding congressional offices or executive departmental offices on technology issues under IEEE-USA sponsorship.

• IEEE-USA also sponsors the Washington Internships for Students of Engineering (WISE) program, which supports research on public policy issues; and underwrites a Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellow to report on sci-tech issues, at a broadcast or publication news outlet.

• Engineering students benefit from Student Professional Awareness Conferences (S-PACs) by organizing and bringing in qualified speakers on professional topics, with help from IEEE-USA.

• Outreach to the public at large takes two paths: precollege education -- promoting technological literacy among the students; and through media communications -- familiarizing the public with engineers, their role and the benefits we all enjoy as a result of engineering. National Engineers’ Week is one such observance.

Higher-grade U.S. members fund U.S. professional activities through a $27.00 assessment included on the dues bill, of which $23.50 is allocated to IEEE-USA. Clearly, not all U.S. members find all IEEE-USA activities of equal interest, but, just as a rising tide lifts all boats, our careers and professional image all benefit from the work IEEE-USA does.

For more information on IEEE-USA activities, visit www.ieeeusa.org or call +1 202 785 0017.

[ IEEE-USA ]

Last Updated:  May 3, 2000