Empowering People: How Engineers and Planners Can Give a Voice to the Community.

“Community service is a transformative power. It not only benefits others, but also enriches the lives of those who engage in it. It fosters a sense of purpose, connection, and compassion,” stated Daylen Ala, a recent Public Health graduate from Northeastern University, affiliated with Boston Healthcare for Homeless Program and Women’s Lunch Place.  

Engaging in community service as a working professional can help broaden one's perspective and deepen their understanding of social issues. It provides an opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds who have taken different journeys to get to where they are. By doing so one gains a better understanding of underserved communities’ needs and challenges. This can help develop empathy and compassion, which are essential qualities for any successful leader.

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As civil engineers and planners we hold a unique position in shaping the city’s infrastructure and fostering its growth. We focus on engaging with the community by conducting public meetings, gathering feedback, and ensuring our design meets the needs of the public. While professional contributions are valuable, their potential impact extends beyond projects. We are better equipped if we immerse ourselves in the community and actively listen to its needs.

To take things a few steps further, why not empower those in underserved and underrepresented communities to drive change? Some of the impactful ways we engineers and planners can help give a voice to the community is through STEM-focused educational programs and outreach. Here are a few within the Greater Boston Area that support these initiatives:

1. Science Club for Girls provides hands-on STEM programs for girls from underrepresented communities. Volunteers can serve as mentors, tutors, or program assistants to help empower young girls to pursue careers in STEM.
2. Citizen Schools  partners with schools to provide after-school programs that expose students to various career opportunities. Volunteers can serve as teaching assistants, mentors, or guest speakers to help students develop their interests and skills in STEM.
3. Boston Cares offers a variety of volunteer opportunities in the area. The organization partners with schools to provide STEM-focused programs aimed at tutoring and mentoring underprivileged youth. Volunteers can also participate in hands-on support, such as repairing computers for low-income families.
4. American Society of Civil Engineers provides a variety of volunteer opportunities focused on mentorship for students in the area. The chapter also hosts the Student Symposium, which includes competitions, networking, and various STEM-focused activities for civil engineering students.
5. Project Lead the Way empowers PreK-12 students in choosing their college and career paths by gaining the appropriate skills at a young age. The organization partners with colleges and corporations to support teachers in fostering that growth.
6. Boston Society of Civil Engineers serves to introduce kids to a future in engineering through different outreach programs. The organization focuses on exposing students to valuable problem-solving skills and real-life scenarios to encourage them to pursue STEM-focused careers.

And not to forget our very own WTS TransportationYOU Committee that has a vibrant history of empowering girls and young women in choosing a future in transportation. The committee exposes the students to the modes of transportation through activities, summits, and workshops.

Volunteering and community service have no limits, get involved and give a voice to your community and reap the benefits of purpose, connection, and compassion!