Engaging and supporting young and emerging professionals (YEPs) in electrotechnology standardization is a key priority for the USNC/IEC.
Explore the set of programs below helping to get YEPs actively and effectively involved in IEC standards and conformity activities and building our next generation of USNC/IEC electrotechnology standardization leaders.
NEW! Check out our new learning course for young and emerging professionals! We encourage our YEPs to familiarize themselves with the USNC and IEC by following this first course in our learning series, comprised of six lessons.
On November 12-14, 2024, the USNC YEP Committee hosted a workshop for emerging standards professionals in conjunction with the World Standards Week 2024. This multi-day event helped prime emerging standards professionals for success in international standardization, in both IEC and ISO activities. Participants got to network with industry leaders, gain insights into the standards development and conformity assessment processes, and attend valuable training sessions to advance their careers and the work of their organizations. This event was sponsored by the USNC Young and Emerging Professionals Committee.
Since the program was launched in 2022, the USNC YEP Committee has been focused on identifying strategic goals and next steps to implement the program. The Committee hosted a working session during World Standards Week 2023 for discussion and action on the following goals:
In November 2019, the USNC YEP Committee began laying the foundation for a national program to expand the continued participation of young and emerging professionals beyond the former representatives of the IEC YP Programme. The goals, vision, and action plan are detailed in the U.S. National YEP Program Framework.
The USNC Young and Emerging Professionals (YEP) Program Launch & Meetup was held on May 17 as part of Spring 2022 World Standards Week. During this interactive hybrid session, attendees helped shape the future of the program by brainstorming ideas and sharing first-hand experiences. A networking reception followed the working session.
In this October 2021 webinar, leadership and staff of the U.S. National Committee of the International Electrotechnical Committee (USNC/IEC) introduced the USNC’s new National YEP Program, to be formally launched in early 2022. The goal of the program is to create a platform for active engagement among all U.S. young and emerging professionals with interests in standards and conformity assessment for electrotechnologies. Former USNC IEC YEPs shared their first-hand experience and answered questions about all the opportunities and benefits of getting involved.
This June 2021 webinar focused on how young and emerging professionals working in standards and conformity assessment can become involved with the USNC and IEC. We learned about the USNC 2021 IEC Young Professionals Competition and USNC Mentoring Program, providing details on how to apply to these programs. We also heard from previous IEC Young Professionals Programme participants as well as a USNC Mentoring Program protégé on their experiences.
This October 2020 webinar focused on the USNC Young and Emerging Professionals (YEP) Committee’s efforts to establish a national YEP program in the United States. We heard from IEC Young Professionals (YP) Program Officer, Aristea Kyriakati, on how the IEC supports national YP programs around the world. We learned about the IEC’s upcoming opportunities for YPs and the 2021 IEC YP Program as well. USNC YEP Committee Vice-Chair, Carolyn Hull, reviewed the goals and strategic objectives of the draft national YEP program principles document, which will serve as the foundation for the program in the US. Carolyn highlighted the YEP Committee’s focus on diversity as they plan the national YEP program’s outreach strategy. We also shared information on opportunities for YEPs working in standards and conformity assessment to become involved with the USNC and IEC.
This May 2020 Webinar focused on how young and emerging professionals working in standards and conformity assessment can become involved with the USNC and IEC. We heard from three previous IEC Young Professionals Programme participants on their experiences and learned about the benefits of participation for the individual and their employer. Details were also provided on the USNC 2020 IEC Young Professionals Competition and how to apply.
The USNC Young and Emerging Professionals (YEP) Committee encourages young and emerging professionals to participate in the work of the USNC and IEC and become engaged in their programs, trainings, and events. This group meets throughout the year to facilitate and coordinate opportunities for individuals with an interest in participating in standardization and conformity assessment activities for electrotechnologies.
The YEP Committee is comprised of professionals that are just beginning or are early in their careers, which the USNC defines as less than 8 or so years of experience in standards or conformity assessment. The diverse group currently includes over 25 professionals who come from a variety of backgrounds, including academia, government, industry, Standards Developing Organizations, trade associations, and others. The YEP Committee is a standing committee of the USNC and reports to the USNC Council.
If you are interested in joining the USNC YEP Committee, please contact Ade Gladstein at [email protected].
Written by USNC YEPs, the following articles published in the USNC Current newsletter provide first-hand insights into USNC/IEC young professionals' experiences.
While virtual attendance has reduced some barriers to entry for interested YEPs and protégés, fostering development and advancement within the USNC can be stymied without opportunities to attend, learn, and network at events in-person.
This program enables new and existing YEPs and protégés to attend USNC management meetings in-person, allowing them grow professionally within the standards and conformity assessment community and expand their network. By supporting YEPs and protégés to attend these meetings, the USNC meets several of its strategic objectives, including succession and leadership planning; engaging young and emerging professionals; ensuring functionality and efficacy of the USNC TAGs; and developing and implementing targeted training programs for USNC members.
USNC YEP Committee members and Mentoring Program protégés are invited to apply to attend a set of USNC Management Meetings, dates listed below. Funding is available to each YEP and protégé which is limited to round-trip airfare and up to four nights of accommodation with a cap of $1,500 per YEP or protégé. Additional details around funding specifics can be found in the program application.
The USNC Young and Emerging Professionals (YEP) Committee officially launched the USNC’s National YEP Program in May 2022. One of the goals of the National YEP Program is to develop the next generation of leaders within both the standards and conformity assessment communities. A reoccurring topic that has been discussed since the establishment of the YEP Committee in 2010 is employer funding to support YEP attendance at national and international standards and conformity assessment meetings, workshops, and other activities. Providing support for new and existing USNC YEPs and protégés to attend such events is critical to improving their knowledge base, broadening their network, and increasing their exposure within the USNC community. It is also vital for the retention of experts and for succession planning within the USNC.
USNC YEPs and protégés are required to submit an application to the USNC staff to ensure that it has been completed properly. All applications are to be submitted eight weeks ahead of the meetings, and will be shared with a panel of USNC Council and YEP Committee members for their review and approval. Once a request has been approved, the USNC Council will be informed while the USNC staff will inform the applicant and manage the reimbursement process. The approved USNC YEPs and protégés are required to submit receipts for direct reimbursement to USNC staff within one month of attending the meetings.
For questions, please contact Mackenzie Connors, Program Administrator ([email protected]; 212.642.8927).
The USNC Professional Mentoring Program provides emerging standards and conformity assessment professionals an opportunity to enter into a one-on-one relationship with a more experienced member of the USNC community for the purpose of retention, development, and overall success.
Whereas training is typically a significant volume of information passed from one to many, mentoring is a partnership in which two individuals set their own agenda, and the mentor provides guidance to the protégé in order to assist in achieving the latter’s goals. A mentoring program fosters the growth of emerging standards and conformity assessment professionals and enables them to be successful in their endeavors, whether their goals are to take on leadership roles in US or International programs or to be successful contributing experts or delegates. The mentoring program can be seen as a way to retain new standards and conformity assessment professionals and as a means of filling the pipeline for future leaders in the USNC.
To get started, please complete and submit the USNC Mentoring Program application to Megan Pahl ([email protected]).
Deadline: Friday, May 23rd 2025
The 2025 IEC Young Professionals Workshop will be held in conjunction with the 89th IEC General Meeting in New Delhi, India from September 15th-19th, 2025. The in-depth, five day workshop will bring together young professionals from around the world who are at the beginning of their careers in electrotechnical standardization and conformity assessment, and who have each been selected and recognized by their IEC National Committees. Recipients will be financially supported for their airfare and accommodation. As we have seen during previous IEC General Meetings, there is a lot of enthusiasm surrounding the young professionals programs around the world. We are excited to continue this momentum in 2025!
The criteria and nomination process, including the nomination form, for this competition can be found here. Nominations should be submitted to Mackenzie Connors ([email protected]) no later than Friday, May 23rd, 2025.
Thank you again to everyone who submitted an application for the USNC 2024 IEC Young Professionals (YP) Competition. The USNC is pleased to announce the three YPs who will be in attendance:
These three recipients will participate in the IEC YP Workshop from October 20th – 25th 2024 held in conjunction with the 88th IEC General Meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland. Please join us in congratulating the winners of this year’s competition!
IEC 2018 YP Leader, United States
USNC Young and Emerging Professionals Committee Chair
IEC 2013 YP Leader, United States
IEC 2012 YP Leader, United States
IEC 2011 YP Leader, United States
