Understand Your Role​

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IEEE Young Professionals membership spans both geographical Regions (under IEEE MGA) and technical Societies/Councils (under IEEE TAB). To support their young professional members, each IEEE Organizational Unit (OU) engages volunteers to serve the needs of this vibrant community. These roles may be labeled differently depending on the OU, common titles include YP Chair, Representative, or Liaison.

Each OU has the autonomy to define the specific responsibilities and expectations of its YP volunteers. However, the following overview provides a helpful guide to understanding the typical role of a YP volunteer within a Society or Council.

4.1.1 Who is a Society/Council Young Professionals Chair/Representative/Liaison?

A Society/Council YP Representative is a vital volunteer who represents the interests of young professionals within their Society or Council. They serve as a bridge between early-career members and Society leadership, while also acting as a liaison with the IEEE YP Committee and other relevant organizational units across IEEE.

Depending on the structure of the Society/Council, this individual may also serve as the Chair of a YP subcommittee made up of additional volunteers. The exact structure and responsibilities of this subcommittee are determined by each Society or Council’s governing documents..

4.1.2 What is the role of a Young Professionals volunteer in their Society?

    A YP volunteer plays a critical role in:

  1. Representing the voice of young professionals, ensuring their needs and ideas are heard within the Society or Council.
  2. Building the future leadership pipeline by learning Society operations and preparing for greater responsibility.
  • Promoting engagement through organizing activities relevant to young members—such as webinars, workshops, networking events, and mentorship programs.
  1. Encouraging young professionals to join the Society/Council, especially those active in its technical areas.

YP volunteers help ensure that Society/Council offerings (conferences, publications, events, etc.) remain relevant and appealing to younger audiences. Typically, undergrad and graduate students members are the target group for young professionals representative roles.

The Young Professionals Society/Council Representative/Liaison supports the vitality of Young Professionals members in their society, through organizing activities, communicating with membership and leadership towards the vision of society.