Calling all Young and Emerging (YEP) Electrotechnical Professionals! Join the National YEP Program
10/04/2021
Make a Difference as an International Standardization Expert! Soft Launch on Friday, October 29 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET.
Join and interact with experts and emerging professionals for career development! Engage with leaders of the U.S. National Committee (USNC) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) during a special virtual World Standards Week event on October 29, 2021, for an introduction to the USNC's new National Young and Emerging Professionals (YEP) Program. The YEP program will formally launch in early 2022.
Experts representing government, industry, and several standards developing organizations will provide insights on the program, and share advice on the next steps emerging professionals can take towards making a difference as an international standardization expert.
“Participants of the YEP program bring the next generation’s talents, energies, and new ways of thinking to what we do in standards,” said Kevin Lippert, president of the USNC/IEC, and manager of codes and standards, Eaton Corporation. “The YEP program offers some unique opportunities to participants, from expanding their networking contacts, growing their own expertise, and possibly even opening future doors of opportunity to them. I hope you consider becoming involved with this program, and help us move the United States standardization efforts into the quickly evolving digital age.”
Sessions will include:
USNC/IEC: Who We Are & Why What We Do Matters
Carrie Schmaus of the U.S. Department of Energy and USNC Young and Emerging Professionals (YEP) committee chair will introduce the IEC and the U.S. National Committee of the IEC, touching on why participation in global standards setting can be personally and professionally rewarding.
From There to Here: My Professional Journey and Memorable Tips Shared with Me along the Way
Jonathan Colby of Verdant Power, former USNC YEP and chair of IEC Technical Committee 114, Marine Energy will share his professional journey from his time joining the USNC as a YEP professional to his current role as chair of an IEC Technical Committee. He will offer professional advice—insights of his own and tips that he has adopted from mentors and other colleagues—with those who are still in the early stages of their work in the standardization and conformity assessment community, and facilitate a questions and answers during an open dialogue session.
Video Testimonials with Mentors
The session will feature short videos featuring several USNC leaders and committee members from industry, government, and standards developing organizations. Attendees will hear from these virtual mentors why becoming involved in the USNC/IEC is important and how participation can be an incredible steppingstone in a young professional’s career and development as an expert in his/her/their field.
Everything You Wanted to Know about USNC/YEP
Here's an opportunity to share your thoughts to help the YEP Committee shape its plans! Members of all ranks of the YEP Committee will explain how the YEP Committee originated; what the formative years were all about (including some of the activities, events and webinars that have been held); and ideas that have been planned for the future.
Video Testimonials: YEP Peers
Three professional peers will take a deeper dive into details about the YEP program.
Let's Chat!
During an interactive session, Megan Pahl of the U.S. National Committee of the IEC/ANSI, will moderate an open conversation with all participants. The session is an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about the "who," "what," "when," "where," "why," and "how" of the IEC, the USNC, and the YEP program.
About the U.S. YEP Program
The U.S. YEP Program will initially focus on outreach to new members and provide opportunities for professional development that can be completed in a virtual environment. In particular, the YEP Program will begin outreach with a focus on diversity emphasizing the importance of having members with a variety of different backgrounds, perspectives, expertise, and experience, as partially informed by the IEC’s Diversity Statement.
As the YEP Committee recognizes the immense value in partnership and information sharing with other groups, its members plan to continue engagements with groups like FINCA (Forum of the IEC National Committees of the Americas) to foster connections at the regional level of the Americas. Finally, the YEP Committee supported the competition for the IEC Young Professionals Programme, which is currently being held as a hybrid meeting in parallel with the annual IEC General Meeting in Dubai, UAE this week. Learn more about the program in an article, "The Future of Standards Participation," published in the USNC Current Summer 2021 edition.
Access the agenda with additional speaker details and view the full lineup of virtual World Standards Week events on October 25-29! Follow the events with the social media hashtag: #WorldStandardsWeek.
About the USNC
A committee of ANSI, the USNC serves as the focal point for U.S. parties who are interested in the development, promulgation, and use of globally relevant standards for the electrotechnical industry. The committee is also engaged in the assessment of conformance to standards, in areas such as testing, certification, and accreditation.
As the U.S. representative to the IEC and many related regional standardization bodies, the USNC is a conduit to the global standards-setting community for technical and policy positions arising in the U.S., and brings issues from the global arena to the U.S. for review, consideration, and response. Strong U.S. participation in the IEC is critical to national competitiveness and the continued growth and innovation in the U.S. electrotechnical industries.
