Innovation Winter 2025/26

VOLUNTEERS

Ontario camp as an assistant counselor. After I returned to BC in 2023, I helped organize our BC, Yukon, and Ontario camps by procuring activity materials, sponsorships, and leading the Next Gen Engies. In 2025, I became the lead in BC and a team of local volunteers and I planned and held a day camp in North Vancouver for 48 campers. Q What skills from your professional background have been most beneficial in your volunteer work? Effective communication is paramount. My workdays are largely spent communicating with others, whether by email, on the telephone, or in person, which is also what I do when volunteering for Camp Engies. Camp Engies has allowed me to refine these skills even further, improving my presentation skills and public speaking (keeping 50 girls engaged can be intimidating!). This has ultimately made me more confident in meetings and presentations in my professional career. Q What skills or new perspectives have you developed or gained from your volunteering? Through taking on the lead role in BC, I have had to work on effective delegation which takes clear communication and leadership skills. Camp Engies requires that I give tasks to others on my team and trust that they are executed. I am able to practice skills in a volunteer setting that will make me a more effective manager as I grow in my professional career. Q How do you balance your professional career and your volunteer commitments? It can be challenging sometimes, especially taking on a new role with considerably more responsibility and a larger time commitment. Making a schedule and to-do lists have helped me stay on track and prioritize tasks. I work with a fantastic team of volunteers, and I have learned to delegate tasks. Having that support network makes it easier to find a balance.

Camp Engies in the Yukon. P hoto : C amp E ngies .

Q What advice would you give to someone in the professions considering volunteering? Find something you are passionate about and start to get involved, either at school, at work or at an organization you are enthusiastic about. When I first started, it seemed daunting to join a big unknown team and organize large camps, but I started with small contributions before becoming more involved. Any amount of time spent volunteering goes a long way and if you feel overwhelmed, speak up and re-balance your volunteering commitments.

FIND YOUR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Volunteering with Engineers and Geoscientists BC provides ongoing opportunities to: give back to your profession and industry; build your network; earn professional development credits; and contribute.

The Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Truth & Reconciliation Working Group helps advance initiatives that strengthen fairness and representation. For those passionate about outreach, student presenter volunteers connect with undergraduate students to share insights about the professions. Scan the QR code to find your opportunity.

The organization has many opportunities to contribute and support the important regulatory work that upholds public safety and trust in the professions.

Innovation Winter 2025/26

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