The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has been a great avenue for volunteering. There are several roles one could have and there is no limit to what one can do as a volunteer. Personally the glaring benefits have been expanding my network, having the opportunity to impact positively to our upcoming generation, and having my organization value my volunteering (yes, it was quite encouraging when my manager mentioned in a positive light my volunteering for SPE in one of my appraisals). Also seeing my mentees become exceptional in what they do has been motivating. However, as I look back over the years of SPE volunteerism – 3 years as a student member and 10 years as a professional member, there has been some subtle benefits which I did not know volunteering with SPE could give to me.
1. Challenging new skill sets: - As one who is passionate about writing, I was always inclined to roles related to writing – secretary of a student chapter, The Way Ahead (TWA) magazine editor, etc. However taking on roles like being an Ambassador Lecturer, facilitating workshops, being a technology transfer officer for a section and being a member of the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum planning committee, enabled me improve on public speaking, planning successful workshops, learn a few things about website content management and develop negotiation skills. These new skill sets have also been useful on my jobs.
2. Rub off of good qualities from team members: - I recall when the Young Members Engagement Committee (YMEC) was newly formed and I wondered how the team would cope as a newly formed committee. However with great leadership and enthusiasm from team members, the committee has made significant progress and is positioned to do more. When a year later I had to lead a team back at my local section, I found out that the success of my team was because I was replicating the acts and leadership style of the YMEC team I had been involved with. I did not know that subconsciously I had gained organizational and leadership skills from them which made me better at the role I was given.
3. Confidence when dealing with diversity: - Working in teams that where one has to deal with different time zones, different backgrounds and different cultures can be challenging. But having done this over the years, it did not seem like a daunting task when my organization asked me to give a virtual training for people of different time zones, backgrounds and cultures. All I had to do was revert to my experiences volunteering as a TWA and YMEC member, apply their best practices in this regard, and modify to suit my situation to give a successful virtual training.
Do I have a favorite volunteering experience? Not really. Each one I have been involved with has had something different to offer. They have all been great experiences, which keeps me desiring to volunteer with SPE.